Need some Postwar Flyer Info

Flyer track is equivalent to O-40 diameter, so a little wider than O27.  Pikemaster track made in the 60's, if you can find it, is about O-36.  The 302 Atlantic is a good, inexpensive loco that has smoke, choo-choo and a 3 position reverse.  The David Doyle reference book is probably the most comprehensive compilation of Flyer locos, cars and accessories.

Jon G posted:

Flyer track is equivalent to O-40 diameter, so a little wider than O27.  Pikemaster track made in the 60's, if you can find it, is about O-36.  The 302 Atlantic is a good, inexpensive loco that has smoke, choo-choo and a 3 position reverse.  The David Doyle reference book is probably the most comprehensive compilation of Flyer locos, cars and accessories.

Ahhh - I knew it was a bit wider but didn't think it was that wide.  I don't think I want to go near that pikemaster stuff. I've read a ton of bad stuff about it.  I'm going to look for the Doyle book. 

Check out the 293 & 295 Pacifics.

The Doyle book is good, but its only post-war Flyer - no Flyonel nor any of the other makers of S-scale/gauge stuff, like American Models, SHS, MTH...  A pretty good (though I just found some omissions) website with listings of all of the above is one hosted by NASG (national associat'n of S-gaugers) here: http://www.nasg.org/index.php

They have separate listings for S-scale and Flyer stuff and the on-line listings have some details about each engine/rolling stock item and often a picture or two.  For example, here is the AF 302 engine:  http://www.nasg.org/SProductGa...ltype/index4-4-2.php

- Rich

Early PW Flyer had a couple of locomotives with the smoke unit in the tender (S.I.T.) and they really put out  a lot of smoke - mostly the 322 Hudsons (best looking) as well as a couple of the 'Challenger' 4-8-4s and a PRR K5.

303 is about the best knuckle coupler Atlantic.

AF postwar 302 die-cast 4-piece Atlantics smoke, choo-choo, look, and run great.  Get a later production unit with the support screw near the end of the crosshead guide (rather than supported only at the steam chest) for extra durability.  Change from LC to if you want.  Enjoy.  303's are nice too, but with plastic boilers and less detail.  First engine I ever had, still do.  Runs great.  Got it my for first Christmas.  Wasn't even a year old yet.   

Dave

If you want to avoid link couplers, but with smoke and choo choo, then you need to look for steamers with the 3 digit number ending in 3 or 6. 303 Atlantic, 313 K5 Pacific, 283 Pacific, 356 Pacific, 326 Hudson, 336 Northern. Track is 40" radius which means you need at least 45 inch worth of room minimum. Doyles book is about American Flyer, not American Models, and other manufacturers. He covers, S, HO, and O gauge. Gilbert made O gauge American Flyer for a few years just before the war. It is some beautiful stuff, and was 3/16 scale so it looks exactly like the S stuff. The downfall is, a lot of the loco's suffered from Zink Pest so they are a bit hard to find in excellent condition. But they run on O track which you already have, and take up less room.

Tin

Thanks for all this info!    I'm focusing on just postwar flyer, as the layout will be postwar.  IDK if I could fit a 45' up on the top level, but if I don't I def. want to get  a 4x8 up of Flyer at some point. I need to make sure I do my research before buying anything though 

Here's a site that's a good guide to AF: http://thegilbertgallery.org/E.../engine_gallery.html

Matt_GNo27 posted:

Here's a site that's a good guide to AF: http://thegilbertgallery.org/E.../engine_gallery.html

that's a helpful site! Thanks!