[dozer]

Hi guys, I haven't been on here for awhile, but I just got something from a friend that I thought you might find interesting. It's a very old, very heavy AF Reading lines 4-4-2 steam engine with a metal tender. In the box is also a plastic chrome american flyer passenger car set, #'s 660, 661, 662. one says Pullman, the other two say Baggage with one of them having a vista dome on it. Also, there is two gondolas # 631, a chemical Gulf car # 625G, and a red caboose #630. These things are all in very good condition! There is also a ton of electronic stuff, one is an American Flyer air chime steam whistle (has a big ol' can on it), the other looks like the power pack, says Miles Per Hour on top and has a push button and two lights. The lever looks to be missing tho. Also, a dual lever gizmo of sorts with two green bulbs up top and two red below. A board of sort that has a row of 8 red push button contacts on top and a row of green push button contacts on bottom. Also, something badged a "manual uncoupler". It has a real nice 90 crossing section of track plus a whole bunch of two rail track, some heavily rusted. I will try and get pics up soon. Any info greatly appreciated!


Mike.

 

[dozer]

Well, I found some info.... The engine is the model #300ac with knuckle couplers and metal tender. 1950. Awesome!

 

[tjcruiser]

Pics! Pics! Pics!

 

[dozer]

The passenger car set is from 1952! This way too cool. I love the history behind these old trains. I found out the steam engine with the cars and track was all a set from 1950.

 

[dozer]

Well here's the original catalog listing of the set
http://www.myflyertrains.org/AF_Catalogs/D1578/AF_catalog_page6.htm

 

[Stillakid]

Dozer, Way Cool!
I've got 2-300's. One is the 300, the other a 300AC. Both with tenders. They're good runners, but lack the smoke and choo-choo. Regardless of that, I really like the detailing and pulling power. Hope you'll post pics.
Enjoy

Jim

 

[Rich_Trains]

Dozer,
That sounds like a great find. Even better is having a friend that's generous enough to give you a vintage American Flyer set like that. Please post some pictures when you get a chance.
Rich

 

[Reckers]

Dozer, handle those chrome cars with care---they are valuable! Wrap them in something soft to avoid scratching the chrome, then look on ebay at the prices before you decide what to do with them. If they have knuckle couplers, they've been altered: let me give you some info prior to sale, if you decide to go that route.

The 300AC is a lil beauty: I have one. It originally came with a link coupler instead of a knuckle, as did all of the #600 series cars. The double-lever thing is the switch for turnouts. The manual uncoupler is a piece that clips onto a track: hold the little lever down as cars pass over and it raises up between the tracks to disconnect the couplers. Terrific find, and congratulations! Welcome to S scale land, the pinnacle of model railroading!!!!
:appl::appl::appl:

 

[dozer]

some pics of just the engine and rolling stock.

 

[dozer]

If they have knuckle couplers, they've been altered: The 300AC is a lil beauty: I have one. It originally came with a link coupler instead of a knuckle, as did all of the #600 series cars. :appl::appl::appl:

Actually, according to the American Flyer web site, this engine did come with knuckle couplers, but only the metal tender version in 1950 like I have. Thought that was pretty cool.

 

[Stillakid]

Dozer, nice!
You going to do any painting?
One of my 300's............
http://www.modeltrainforum.com/showthread.php?t=3757&page=5

 

[Reckers]

Dozer, not to make an issue over something that doesn't matter, but I'd like to chase that a little further. First, I'm not right---I'm simply looking at some sites that say something, and they can be wrong, just like I can.

That said, here's where I'm looking: http://www.trainweb.org/s-trains/FAQ/locospecs.html

Now, what also leads me to suggest yours was modified is this: your cars should also have the link couplers. AF used a system with 600-series for link coupler cars, and 900 for knuckles. It's been a common practice to convert them over. The way you can tell for sure is if there is what looks like a split rivet connecting the knuckle coupler to the truck's stem. If you plan to sell any of them, particularly the chromes, you might want to convert them back. This assumes I know what I'm talking about, and that's not always the case. It's a great acquisition, though---congratulations!

 

[Reckers]

One more post and I'll stop. *L* If you keep them and want to talk through any of what you're working on, I'd be happy to help.

 

[dozer]

Hey Reckers, I appreciate your input, I don't find it negative atall so please, teach away! I'll show you what I'm looking at though. maybe between the two we can come up with the correct answer lol! Look down to the 300 ac with metal tender info. http://americanflyerexpress.com/Ame...american-flyer-products-passenger-cars-03.htm ooops, go to the steam engine header lol...

 

[Reckers]

Hey Reckers, I appreciate your input, I don't find it negative atall so please, teach away! I'll show you what I'm looking at though. maybe between the two we can come up with the correct answer lol! Look down to the 300 ac with metal tender info. http://americanflyerexpress.com/Ame...american-flyer-products-passenger-cars-03.htm ooops, go to the steam engine header lol...

Okay, I've gotta give that one to you---you're right! Do you think they adapted the cars?

 

[dozer]

Okay, I've gotta give that one to you---you're right! Do you think they adapted the cars?

Yup, the cars were adapted to knuckle couplers. I think this set is going to be a shelf display queen lol...

 

[tjcruiser]

Just peeking in on this AF thread. Very nice stuff there, Dozer. Those passenger cars are beauties. I do hope you'll invest a little t.l.c. to clean things up and get 'em all running again.

Very nice, indeed!

TJ

 

[dozer]

Just peeking in on this AF thread. Very nice stuff there, Dozer. Those passenger cars are beauties. I do hope you'll invest a little t.l.c. to clean things up and get 'em all running again.

Very nice, indeed!

TJ

I'll definitely clean them up, but doubt I'd ever run em'.

 

[Reckers]

Please be careful on the chrome jobs---okay, I know I sound like a broken record, but should you decide to part with them, they're very sellable and will bring a good price. To me, the locomotive is the most endearing piece of the set, but there were lots of them made. The chromes, in contrast, are fairly scarce.

 

[Reckers]

Oh, and a suggestion? If you can find the time to oil and lube the engine, I think it'd be worth it even for a shelf queen. Your grandchildren might appreciate inheriting something that wasn't frozen with rust, y'know?

Regards,