Is there any one that services and sells or even likes American Flyer late 30's O-guage?

Gilbert Greg,

There are folks that enjoy prewar trains like American Flyer's O gauge line.  We just happen to be a small niche group in the hobby.  You might want to take a look at the Tinplate Forum for like minded folks.  You will find a number of threads and posts about refurbishing prewar trains.  

Northwoods Flyer

Greg

THANK YOU! 

Certain Pre-War AF O-gauge locos are really striking and look more realistic in some ways than the Lionel die-cast pieces (I am not talking about "Tinplate"). I am not really speaking of the S-Scale/O-gauge steamers that re-emerged as S-scale and S-gauge (more on that later) - I am speaking of the (I think) essentially O-scale 4-4-2, 4-6-2 (#435?) and 0-6-0. I will have one of those one day. I have been told that they ran better than the Lionel, but I have never seen one run.

-------------

As a kid with a Lionel layout in the 1950's I looked at the AF catalogs and wanted several of their locos (never the diesels; AF diesels were...not appealing), especially the UP 4-8-4 - but, no - they were S gauge.

I had no idea then that before WWII this loco had been an O-gauge engine. Had I known...but, eBay was hard to find in 1956, my allowance was 50 cents a week, and even then these would have cost more than that. Wherever they were. 

Welcome Gilbert.  Check out the tinplate forum and search for old threads.  Greg and several others of us post quite a few photos of old Flyer trains.  Like em?  Heck yeah!

D500 posted:

Certain Pre-War AF O-gauge locos are really striking and look more realistic in some ways than the Lionel die-cast pieces (I am not talking about "Tinplate"). I am not really speaking of the S-Scale/O-gauge steamers that re-emerged as S-scale and S-gauge (more on that later) - I am speaking of the (I think) essentially O-scale 4-4-2, 4-6-2 (#435?) and 0-6-0. I will have one of those one day. I have been told that they ran better than the Lionel, but I have never seen one run.

-------------

As a kid with a Lionel layout in the 1950's I looked at the AF catalogs and wanted several of their locos (never the diesels; AF diesels were...not appealing), especially the UP 4-8-4 - but, no - they were S gauge.

I had no idea then that before WWII this loco had been an O-gauge engine. Had I known...but, eBay was hard to find in 1956, my allowance was 50 cents a week, and even then these would have cost more than that. Wherever they were. 

My favorite was the NKP 0-8-0.  I couldn't find an O gauge one without zinc pest so I built one out of an S gauge loco from someone's sand box.  Recently there was an 0-8-0 without zinc pest in pristine condition on eBay.  It went for $2025.

Lou N

Greg J. Turinetti posted:

Gilbert Greg,

There are folks that enjoy prewar trains like American Flyer's O gauge line.  We just happen to be a small niche group in the hobby.  You might want to take a look at the Tinplate Forum for like minded folks.  You will find a number of threads and posts about refurbishing prewar trains.  

Northwoods Flyer

Greg

I agree that this is a small niche group but locally there were two friends who introduced me to prewar flyer.  I will say that the lithographed O gauge cars are artistic masterpieces.  There are an infinite variety of passenger cars and I doubt there is anyone that has an example of every one.  

Lou N

I HAVE THE AS SHOWN AT THE WORLD'S FAIR 1939 GILBERT AMERICAN FLYER CATALOG. EVER THE PROMOTER HE WAS

TRYING TO SELL A CAR  EVERY MONTH

I recently purchased this set from an online auction house (not eBay).  I have never really ever found any outside of shows or online auctions.  I think this stuff is fantastic.  

Most Chicago and Gilbert flyer can be repaired to run (unless catastrophic frame damage). When you say late 30's I assume you like the Gilbert 3/16 trains. Many parts can be had from their S gauge cousins. AF O gauge has a lot of nice trains to collect and run.

I AM TRYING TO STAY IN THE 38-40 PERIOD O-GAUGE  WITH IT'S CROSS OVER TO GILBERT ERECTOR SETS ESP.  THE 2-4-2 420. THE TRAIN IS NOT LARGE BUT HAS CHARACTER.  IN 41 THEY PROMOTED THE ROYAL BLUE. YOU SEE A LOT OF CHANGING GOING ON. OUTSIDE OF THE ERECTOR SETS, GILBERT EVEN PUSHED THE  BUILD YOUR OWN CARS AND LOCOMOTIVES  IN A KIT INCLUDING PAINT AND BRUSHES GIFT BOXED LIKE. YOU DO HAVE TO WONDER WHERE THEY WOULD HAVE GONE W/O THE WAR.ON A SIDE NOTE I JUST HATE CANNIBALIZING LOCOMOTIVES FOR PARTS ESP. FOR TRUCK ASSEMBLIES, AND LIGHT FIXTURES BUT I KNOW IT HAS TO BE DONE SOMETIMES. I WAS HOPING SOMEONE HAD A BOX OF "SPARE PARTS COLLECTING DUST". 

GILBERT GREG posted:

I AM TRYING TO STAY IN THE 38-40 PERIOD O-GAUGE  WITH IT'S CROSS OVER TO GILBERT ERECTOR SETS ESP.  THE 2-4-2 420. THE TRAIN IS NOT LARGE BUT HAS CHARACTER.  IN 41 THEY PROMOTED THE ROYAL BLUE. YOU SEE A LOT OF CHANGING GOING ON. OUTSIDE OF THE ERECTOR SETS, GILBERT EVEN PUSHED THE  BUILD YOUR OWN CARS AND LOCOMOTIVES  IN A KIT INCLUDING PAINT AND BRUSHES GIFT BOXED LIKE. YOU DO HAVE TO WONDER WHERE THEY WOULD HAVE GONE W/O THE WAR.ON A SIDE NOTE I JUST HATE CANNIBALIZING LOCOMOTIVES FOR PARTS ESP. FOR TRUCK ASSEMBLIES, AND LIGHT FIXTURES BUT I KNOW IT HAS TO BE DONE SOMETIMES. I WAS HOPING SOMEONE HAD A BOX OF "SPARE PARTS COLLECTING DUST". 

I too find this era fascinating, I have some in boxes that I will be unpacking shortly and they all run! Great looking stuff especially the 420 hudson. By the way , you may want to refrain from using all CAPS. People take it as yelling and aggressive.

I SHOULD PUT A NOTE. I AM LEGALLY BLIND AND WRITING IN CAPS ALLOWS ME TO SEE BETTER. UNFORTUNATELY SOME PEOPLE JUDGE W/O KNOWING. 

Gilbert Greg,

Will bold type help you to see the print more easily?  I would gladly print in larger type if I could figure out how to do it. 

The majority of  my collection is American Flyer.  I started in S gauge and expended to prewar O and Wide Gauge.  I have posted the following photos before but I thought I would post them again so you can see a small portion of what is available in American Flyer prewar O and Wide Gauge.

Don't be afraid of using parts from other damaged pieces.  Remember these toys were made in the thousands and tens of thousands.  There as still many of them out there to be found.

It's nice to hear from all the folks who have an interest in American Flyer.

Northwoods Flyer

Greg

WOW! THAT IS BEAUTIFUL.

I HAVE MY GOOD DAYS AND BAD READING.

  ANY WAY YOU HAVE A BEAUTIFUL COLLECTION. I RECENTLY GOT HOOKED ON THE TRAINS. LIKE WITH ANYTHING ELSE YOU LEARN. IT IS INTERESTING TO ME THE HISTORY. THE MORE I FIND OUT THE MORE IT MAKES SENSE. WITH AMERICAN FLYER YOU SEE IT GETTING BOUGHT OUT BY GILBERT IN 37. IN 38 GILBERT USED THE 3315 IN HIS EXPENSIVE LARGER BUILDING SET, THEN SWITCHED TO THE 420 IN 1939 WITH COPPER TRIM, 40 HAD THE 420 WITH NICKLE, THEN 41-42 THE ROYAL BLUE 556. THEN OF COURSE THE WAR AND NOTHING. THEN THE S LINE ETC. 

     I FIGURED I WOULD BEGIN THIS JOURNEY JUST STICKING TO THE LOCOMOTIVES (420) & ROYAL BLUE.  BRING A FEW BACK TO LIFE, AND COLLECT THE DATE RELATED ROLLING STOCK PRE-42,  AND GO FROM THERE. I KNOW FROM EXPERIENCE GILBERT WAS THRIFTY AND HE WOULD USE THE SAME PART IN AS MANY MODELS AS HE COULD. THERE SEEMS TO BE A BIG JUMP IN THE 30'S IN DESIGN OF THE ROLLING STOCK ESP THE WHEELS/TRUCKS. I AM STILL CONFUSED ON THE NUMBERING SYSTEM, HOW/WHEN IT CHANGED. I KNOW GILBERT PRE-WAR WAS THREE DIGIT. I GET CONFUSED WHERE THE OTHER NUMBERS BEFORE GILBERT AND AFTER THE WAR COME IN. 

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HELP GILBERT GREG

ALSO IS IT SAFE TO ASSUME THAT O TO S IS SIMILAR ENOUGH THAT THE WHEELS ARE INTERCHANGEABLE?  THANKS AGAIN

I FORGOT TO INCLUDE THESE PICS. IT IS THE VERY FIRST ONE I FINISHED REPLACING PARTS AND COMPLETING. (I LIKE THE ORIGINAL PATINA AND PAINT). ALSO A PIC OF THE FRONT TRUCK. IT IS A LITTLE MORE DETAILED THAN LATER ONES. WHEN I STARTED MY QUEST I HAD HOPED TO FIND A COST EFFECTIVE WAY TO REPLACE JUST THE WHEELS, SAVING THE OLD TRUCK ASM. I CAN CUT THE LIP OFF BUT PUTTING A LIP ON IS DIFFICULT. 

I know there were replacement wheels available for the lead truck wheels you have illustrated but I don't know if they are still available.  If they are, the way you preserve the axle is to just crush the wheels with a pair of pliers and then carefully peen the the raised edge on the one side.  Slip the new wheels in place and then using the end of a small ball peen hammer peen the raised edge back into position.  I hope putting this in bold helps you to read this missive.

There are replacement wheels and slip fit axles readily available.

Thanks a lot. It is easier by far. I am blessed. when I was 20 and pre-med I was told I'd be blind by my mid twenties at U of M. I changed my career path to business (basically took no notes etc.) with a business degree, one class short of an economic degree, with a chemistry basic intensive. It led to a weird path including being a thermo plastic plant manager and a chemist working with HCR rubber. 

Thanks for the hint. I have a new axle and wheels just in case. Part cost wise the axle and wheels are 7.50 vs. 20 and I can keep the original truck as well, Double bonus.. Believe it or not just in the one year I know there was at least 1 design change. Above the rear truck one had a plate under the switch in the cab, the other 2 did not. Looks like it would prevent some warp age of the cab.

I knew there had to be a better way than grinding the end off.

Thanks again

been acquiring Flyer O Gauge for a little while now. Some really nice stuff. I like finding the rusty stuff and redoing them, along with a nice one once in a while.

Lou N posted:

D500 posted:

Certain Pre-War AF O-gauge locos are really striking and look more realistic in some ways than the Lionel die-cast pieces (I am not talking about "Tinplate"). I am not really speaking of the S-Scale/O-gauge steamers that re-emerged as S-scale and S-gauge (more on that later) - I am speaking of the (I think) essentially O-scale 4-4-2, 4-6-2 (#435?) and 0-6-0. I will have one of those one day. I have been told that they ran better than the Lionel, but I have never seen one run.

-------------

As a kid with a Lionel layout in the 1950's I looked at the AF catalogs and wanted several of their locos (never the diesels; AF diesels were...not appealing), especially the UP 4-8-4 - but, no - they were S gauge.

I had no idea then that before WWII this loco had been an O-gauge engine. Had I known...but, eBay was hard to find in 1956, my allowance was 50 cents a week, and even then these would have cost more than that. Wherever they were. 

My favorite was the NKP 0-8-0.  I couldn't find an O gauge one without zinc pest so I built one out of an S gauge loco from someone's sand box.  Recently there was an 0-8-0 without zinc pest in pristine condition on eBay.  It went for $2025.

Lou N

Lou a complete one just sold on Ebay for over $2000

Tin

Chuck Sartor posted:

There are replacement wheels and slip fit axles readily available.

Parts are generally hard to come by. There are a hand full of vendors out there who have some parts. Jeff Kane at The Train Tender has a limited list, and Doug Peck at PortLines Hobby Supply has a decent list. The very late O gauge by Gilbert is hard to find without the zinc pest. The lead truck wheels and trail truck wheels and their axles are available from both. Some parts like boiler fronts you can use the S counterpart. The lead truck cast frames are available, but the cast sides for the K5 are not. The cast sides for the Hudson and Northern tenders are available but you have to have the metal spreader pieces of truck bolster.

Tin

Thanks Tin,

I currently laser print rockets. Have considered printing off things like the wheels. There are new metal composites out there and just the rolling wheels I think might work. I know for displaying there would be no issue other than color. (could color match w/paint). There was issue with the trucks not staying on track even with originals and he weight issue on printed ones would be the stickler. I have reached out to PortLines and they did have the trucks and wheels. The parts were beautiful. I still had to modify the rear truck. the 420 I was working on had plate where (tail of the part) should have gone. I had to bend it. The thing was I know the part was right because it matched other 420's I have. I will reach out to Jeff. i did steal a front boiler front off a 2-4-2 older A.F. it just twinges me.

P.S. Some of you have seen I have sight issues. I was/been writing in caps so I could read better. It was mentioned to use bold which works great. You can write in bold then when your satisfied with the note then just change it back to reg.  

Thanks to Greg of The Northwoods Flyer collection

Just got off the line with Jeff Kane (Thanks for the referral Chuck). He does stock a a lot of the essential items esp to me the wheels and axles. Far cheaper than printing. We got on the subject of the A.F. Kits I previously mentioned. I.E. an example would be the 508 Hopper car or the cool Texaco True- Model Tank car. Pre-made it was  4.00 no. 512. In the kit 3.00 k-512. He had not heard of it being in business several decades. So....... I will put it out there. Does any one actually still have one. (any of them?) I know most kids once finished painting would have thrown the boxes out with the brush. Also, it would make sense, it was still hard times from the depression and war looming. We know Greenberg mentions them and gives prices and I have seen the catalog.  I would like to see one. Just think those sets would have instructions on how to build them, maybe even the old part numbers I have such a hard time seeing. 

GILBERT GREG posted:

P.S. Some of you have seen I have sight issues. I was/been writing in caps so I could read better. It was mentioned to use bold which works great. You can write in bold then when your satisfied with the note then just change it back to reg.  

Thanks to Greg of The Northwoods Flyer collection

Gilbert Greg,

I am glad the suggestion worked for you.  Now you won't be perceived as being angry.  

Northwoods Flyer

Greg

I wanted to thank ea. of you on my quest to find replacement truck wheels, axles, and other parts. There are suppliers out there tho very rare. I have stumbled on a niche in a niche but my 4 420's at least have the parts they need to at least look complete. Now the fun part of getting two to run. My hat goes off to any one that has taken the time to collect all original parts. It takes a village. Also been able to pick up period rolling stock with some of the new  9 TRU-MODEL designs of the late 30's. Again just think what might of occurred if the war would not have come.

PS. It seems many of you have have a cute saying, pun, etc.

I am also a member of the Great lakes Whale watchers society.

God's peace to you all.