Real AF Trains

No one is preventing anyone from discussing good old A.C. Gilbert American Flyer here. 

 

This forum has been far more democratic than some of the "other" boards.

 

Rusty

In fact, this is the first complaint type post I've ever read on this forum, and I've been here several years.

 

It's simple: Post what you like about S scale.  If others take an interest in it, there will be replies.  If not, then you've discovered a topic that wasn't interesting to the others.  No biggie.

 

NO one "scripts" what is discussed here.  It's an open discussion format.  This is a place where ALL PERSUASIONS of S scale is welcomed and (in my experience here) well received in a friendly environ.  Any and all should feel the freedom to post/discuss their particular S scale persuasion without over-stepping S segment boundaries.

 

As for me, I only have a passing interest in traditional American Flyer.  However, I always enjoy seeing AF pics by those that it IS their thing. 

 

Any and all S scale is welcomed here!

 

Share your S scale topic and post your S scale pics!

 

Andre

 

Yep. Same here... I don't really have an interest in original AF, but I always enjoy seeing what other people are doing. I think you are seeing the begining of a new S scale movement by Lionel and that has a lot of people excited. If that's not you thats fine, but isn't it ironic that you are bashing people for talking about what they like just because they aren't talking about what you like?

Although I'm mainly into "O", I have, and run AF postwar. This "S" forum is not active enough to start splitting it into sub-headings. Sometimes I think we are loosing some good info because of the many "toy train" sub-headings.

Hey guys: I started a real AF topic O guy w AF question. Op to teach about the real mccoy. Enjoy! For my sake!

Hi all,

   I love The real American Flyer, I run it all the time but it's nice to read about

the new offerings maybe something will catch my eye.

 

Tin

Any Train I can run on my S-Scale track is of interest to me. I like them all!

All,

Just to be clear, I'm not anti-Lionel Flyer. I own more than I care to think about. I wish that most of the Flyonel I bought new 20-25 years ago was worth what I paid for it back then. I just see the Gilbert stuff as more of a lasting collectible. On the operator side, the new Lionel offerings are first rate. My other issue is the ever-increasing cost is making it difficult to justify the expense for an item that may be on mega-sale in a few months. So many trains, so little time...(and cash).

I had Flyer as a boy receiving my first train for Christmas 1949 - a No 310 K5 with three cars. I vividly remember looking at the trains as a 5 year old in the department store (New Orleans) with my dad, not realizing that he was Santa. I was so glad that 'Santa' also liked the two rail trains!

Was at a train show locally last week and a S gauge club had a nice large layout up running a Challenger that smoked almost as good as my 3 rail locomotives! Also a beautiful AA set of E8s in Southern Crescent colors pulling some gleaming stainless cars. I was impressed at where S is today...

FlyerRich,

 

I don't think anyone here took your posting as being anti-Lionel Flyer.  It's perfectly legitimate to want to discuss Gilbert Flyer.

 

In fact, I personally like it when Brady Burge posts pictures of his link coupler era layout and equipment, even though I have little interest in link coupler equipment.  (I have 4 pieces that I'll convert to knuckle couplers one of these days...)  He's captured "the good old days" quite well.

 

TimBoy used to post here too, with his great layout constuction.  I enjoyed his updates also.

 

I admit, I'm an S Scale Guy first, S HiRail Guy second and Gilbert Flyer Guy third.  But, unlike some folks on the "other boards," I don't feel there's a difference between the three  for enjoying S.

 

However, for better or worse, it's the new Lionel/Flyer stuff that sucks up the most of electrons, even as MTH and Lionel do on the 3-rail side.

 

Hang in there!

 

Rusty

I have a few pieces of Gilbert-era AF that I picked up as a part of a collection. I used it as the Christmas tree train a few years ago. I had Lionel as a kid, but the kid next door had a large AF layout, and I always liked the whitewalls on drivers and the two-rail look. I have a large O gauge layout, but I'm considering working the AF in as a forced-perspective look, or, perhaps, a second level.

 

I'm interested in AF, both as the Gilbert company, and as the pre-war Chicago-based Coleman company.

 

However, I think that anyone interested in S (Scale or Gauge) should be pleased that the tradition continues today, regardless if the items are made by S-Helper, Lionel or whomever.

I don't think anyone here took your posting as being anti-Lionel Flyer.  It's perfectly legitimate to want to discuss Gilbert Flyer.

In fact, I personally like it when Brady Burge posts pictures of his link coupler era layout...

Brady and Timboy are the gods of link. I have link equipment I got (used) for Christmas in 1961 and continue to add to it today. My main attraction is the knuckle coupler era both 3 and 5 digit with Lionel items second. Why? Because I wish Lionel made an affordable product that actually worked as intended 90 percent of the time. I recently got my Big Boy straightened out after 2 years, about $100 in parts and a great deal of online help from Carl Tuveson. What about the ongoing issues of QC on the Challenger and U33C? How long will Lionel offer parts (especially the electronic components) that are made in China for their products? I can repair almost anything on Gilbert Flyer. There are a few parts for the Big Boy that are currently unavailable (last time I checked). If I knew the answer to these, THEN I might be excited.

Hi,

  I agree with FlyerRich, that's what great about the Gilbert S you can fix, rebuild or

whatever you want and it works. the new stuff great as it is, if that circuit board goes

it's back to the company or service station to fix it.

 

Tin

I agree with FlyerRich. I have a nice collection of Gilbert AF trains. My problem is paying $70 for a Lionel Flyer tank car or box car made in China. I guess the Gilbert dies were refurbished, but certainly no redone. I just can't afford the prices Lionel is asking for these inports. Jerry

I have several thousands of dollars tied up in modern S gauge trains (Flyonel).  The only Gilbert Flyer I had was a SF ALCo PA set that I had gotten from my father.  I have not had much interest in acquiring the old Gilbert stuff in the past...but I saw this sitting on the shelf at my LHS and something said I had to have it. I don't think it is anything rare by the price I payed but I like it.  Best I can tell it was not originally sold as a set but was pieced together.

 

Ben 

That's the important part, Ben.

Rusty

Careful, Ben!  That's how it all starts....  ;>

 

Nice train!

 

Jerry

I posted these a while ago, but I'm rather fond of this Pikemaster assemblage.  Runs like a champ and I have no qualms about it "not being scale."

 

 

 

 

Rusty

I'm not into AF, but I think L is on the right track in producing some new steam and diesles people will see at the nearest rail crossing!

Rusty,

 

So, tell us the story about the Reading 3-bay hopper. Nice repaint by someone. Downs, possibly?

 

Bob Bubeck

 

 

Not a lot to tell, Bob.  The Reading hopper is either Downs or Kris Model Trains, offered way back when shells were plentiful and cheap.  I'd have to check my Greenburg. 

 

While not a "true" Gilbert Pikemaster car, it adds to the assemblage and rounds out the train nicely.  I picked it up at an S-Fest 10-12 years ago.  I don't think I paid more than 10 bucks for the car.

 

Rusty