Mistakes to avoid as a new AF guy.

Rich, A 326 Hudson will never have a SIT.  They weren't made that way.  Only a 322 made in 46 or 47 has a SIT.  Starting in 48 they put the smoke unit in the boiler so they didn't have the expense of a separate motor in the tender.  The 326 was produced from 53 to 56 and a large motor was installed only in late 56.  According to the current Greenburg Guide one in excellent condition is worth $284.

I suggest you look on eBay for a 1988 Greenburg's Guide to American Flyer, Third Edition. This one is the last volume with everything Gilbert made in S included and won't cost you more than about $30.

I recommend you find a Flyer guy with lots of experience close to you or on the the phone who can advise you when you look at what to purchase and what to pay.      

Great advice gents. Thanks!

Rich

Rich both the Royal Blue and the 282 were link coupler engines. The Gilbert link coupler era was 1946 to 1952. 1953 to 1956 was the 3 digit knuckle coupler era, there was some overlap. The 5 digit era began in 1957 but most 1957 items were 3 digit equipment in 5 digit boxes. In general, there are a lot of exceptions, pricing goes like this. A 21129 costs more than a 326 which costs more than a 322. All three of these are NYC Hudson locomotives.

Gilbert engines with factory DC motors require DC track power. All DC equipped engines were either 0-8-0 or 4-8-4 steam engines with link couplers. Not all the 332 and 342 DC motored engines had DC in the cab number stamping so be sure to check. All other Gilbert engines run on either AC or DC track power.

Have fun collecting and operating.

Sorry to go slightly off topic, and you may already know, but...

If you're not in TCA, join and go to York.  In the past couple of years, the amount of postwar AF for sale at the main meet and at the bandit meets has exploded.  Lots of nice stuff, and it looks like it's becoming a buyer's market.