[seekr2]

I have an Erie flatcar #636 (48-53). What is the difference between an AF-die-cast and an AFL-diecast frame. Value-wise, there is a BIG difference.

I'm unpacking boxes of trains from my childhood and will likely have a few more questions before I'm done.

 

[mopac]

Not sure on the reel car. Usually AF is American Flyer and AFL is American Flyer Lines.
My 2 reel cars just say American Flyer.
I don't know all the car variations.

 

[cramden]

The different variations on the die-cast 636's don't change the values all that much. Some of them were a bluish gray instead of the normal gray paint. There are others with smaller printing on the reel vs. the normal sized print like your picture shows. The one 636 that is valuable is the one made in 1953 that was a pressed wood frame instead of a die-cast frame. The reel was also held down without wires tied to the 4 ears on the flat. The pressed-wood didn't have ears for the wires, instead the cords went through the body and were tied off underneath. The paint didn't adhere well to the wood frame, so one in excellent condition is difficult to find. Hope this helps.

 

[seekr2]

Thanks for your responses.