Hello,
I posted in the Sale and Trade Forum this morning and was directed to this forum. I have an old wooden train bridge that appears to be an American Flyer Bridge. I am looking to sell it, but I would also love any information that could be provided to me about this piece.
I am trying to value it, but would love to know if the lights are original and if the approach sections are original with the bridge. It seems to be in good condition for its age.
Thanks in advance for any help with this!
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I own the same bridge and it was made by American Flyer in the 1920's. I have never seen the original ramps that you have and I'm about to make a set of my own because the bridge will be used on my new layout. I believe the lights mounted on your bridge have been added by a previous owner. Often the bridge has a brass plate reading Salt Lake City and American Flyer Lines mounted on the cross brace at the end. I have seen original examples with short telegraph poles and they also produced a longer version of the bridge. At a train auction with other collectors present, I paid $100 for my bridge. Your bridge loses some value because of the added lights, but that is offset because you have the original ramps and they are often missing.
Could you tell me the width of your ramps? The other measurements are self evident.
Eric Hofberg
TCA, LCCA
The original AF ramps used one piece of straight, not two. This bridge came with a total of five pieces of straight and measured 50½" in length. As mentioned above, the previous owner had added the lights and made the ramps longer to ease the locos up the ramp. Steamer cowcatchers had the tendency to short out going up the factory ramps.
I got one as a child and my father made a small position signal, with a miniature knife switch to control the trains approach.
Ron M
I own the same bridge and it was made by American Flyer in the 1920's. I have never seen the original ramps that you have and I'm about to make a set of my own because the bridge will be used on my new layout. I believe the lights mounted on your bridge have been added by a previous owner. Often the bridge has a brass plate reading Salt Lake City and American Flyer Lines mounted on the cross brace at the end. I have seen original examples with short telegraph poles and they also produced a longer version of the bridge. At a train auction with other collectors present, I paid $100 for my bridge. Your bridge loses some value because of the added lights, but that is offset because you have the original ramps and they are often missing.
Could you tell me the width of your ramps? The other measurements are self evident.
Eric Hofberg
TCA, LCCA
Only one of the wide gauge bridges came with the telegraph posts on the top. That one also had a bull's eye signal mounted on each end. None of the 'O' gauge bridges came with the telegraph posts. When Gilbert took over they mounted an small Erector house on the top of the "O" gauge bridge.
Ron M
There was a similar American Flyer wood bridge at the Roseville international railfair train show last weekend.
They were asking $85 for it.
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