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I Wasn't Gonna Do This, But......

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Stillakid

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Discussion Starter · #1 · (Edited)
I saw this, was gonna pass, then thought, "Why Not?":D

Got it on the, "Cheap", and since I'm going to restore that AF in O, Engine and Tender, thought they could use some friends:laugh::laugh:

I am confused about where to post my American Flyer "O", aquisitions:confused:, but here it is anyway!

T-Man, if you read this, I'm going to need your help on this:D

I'll post this up in the, "Got Anything New" also:laugh:

AMERICAN FLYER 3151
 
T-Man

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#3 ·
Jim if you work fast, you can edge out Reckers and be the American Flyer O scale expert.:D This is my answer in the other thread.

Jim, they are both nice pieces. I don't remember a Babe Ruth Postwar with an actual door? Evidently I learned something. I guess I must be buying too many engines.
AF prewar O has many great items. Since I antique around, I have only collected one piece. A old sparky coach, early 20's. AF is just harder to find, I know there are collectors in my area. The TTOS show/meet in Lajolla has a lot of S gage. I don't own any references for AF in general. I leave it up to Reckers.
For restoration, of coaches, try to get an observation before a repaint and do both. The nice thing about finding one coach is that it is easier to find a coach and obsevation together.That way you have a passenger train.If you decide to go that way. Of course you do not have to do anything to it.

I finally got to look at your give away pieces. They will be handy. My Babe Ruth top will fit on one of the frames. I need to id the frames with holes. I am curious about them.

Thanks again.
Bob
How long is Reckers out?
 
Boston&Maine

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#4 ·
T-Man said:
I don't remember a Babe Ruth Postwar with an actual door? Evidently I learned something. I guess I must be buying too many engines.
Click to expand...
Only the early models had real working doors... I could go look in my book to give you the exact numbers, but I am off to college now...
 
Reckers

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#5 ·
I think Stillakid has already edged me out as the S scale, AF expert: he's put a lot of time into those ressurection specials he's been working on! As for O scale, my ignorance is even more profound, so I have to hand him the title there, as well. T-Man, I'm still around---just hacking and coughing, but I started back to work again, yesterday. I'm in the middle of cleaning and lubing my 300 AC right now. I'll save polishing the nickel-work for later, but I wanted to get her running and see how she does.
 
Reckers

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#7 ·
"Expert" is a crown that sits uneasily on any but the proud or vain. We'll save that for the next S scale recruit. *L* Jim, I have a very good book on AF stuff...if I can ever locate it. It's buried in a box, someplace, probably the basement. My gear is slowly coming out of hiding, though, so I hope to find it this weekend. It includes the O stuff.
 
Reckers

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#10 ·
Thank you, TJ. I've been trying to cough up a lung for the last two weeks---finally went to the doc Monday morning. It's slowly going away. The worst part is it cuts into my train time; on the other hand, I managed to stay in bed all day Tuesday while the gf spent the day out shopping.:laugh:
 
Reckers

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#14 ·
Thanks, Bob. Right now, I should be investing in cough medicines and such---I could be putting myself through college! The new place is great---we have it about 70% together, now.
 
Stillakid

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Discussion Starter · #15 · (Edited)
Restored by a, "Typical S-Gauger"

So, this American Flyer O Gauge Passenger Car, was "updated" by a, "typical S-Gauge Guy. I know it doesn't quite live up to the high standards that you "O" guys maintain, but I sure thought I'd give it a try:D

Rough shape coming in. Lots of rust, everywhere. Paint shot, wheels and trucks a mess. I LOVE MY DREMEL TOOL!

The roof is secured to the cab by pressure. There are 2 flexible strips of steel that have a slight bow to them. Compress the sides, the roof pops off:D

I was lucky in that there was very little rust in the cab interiors base. I really didn't want to break this down more than I had to.


Gave it an Easy Off Bath, with lots of wirebrushing.
Took 3 times to get it all. I washed in several more times with soapy water and used a hairdryer each time to keep down the chances of any additional rusting in areas I couldn't get to.

Of course, nothing is ever easy. Under the paint were the indentations from the heat stamped lettering(didn't they ever check their machines?) So I had to use my FastSteel to smooth it all out.

I never thought I'd get the trim pieces looking good, but after a 2 hour soak in Brasso, they came out looking great considering they're almost as old as big ed:laugh::laugh:

The colors I choose are not the original colors. It was Pumpkin, and I wanted something that would show off the trim pieces. I chose Satin Cinnamon for the cab, and Satin Ivory Silk for the roof. The trucks are a flat Black.

I'm looking for an Observation Car to add to the mix:D

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tjcruiser

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#18 ·
Jim,

I humbly bow before thee, ohh exhalted master of restoration! Excellent work ... looks GREAT!

I'm intrigued to learn about the "pressure grab" roof ... interesting ... I've been ebay peeking at old Lionel and Ives cars, and it looks like they used a screw or two for their roofs.

Two questions ...

How were the trucks originally attached ... screw or rivet? Did you go with screw for rebuild?

Why did you opt to paint the couplers? Just curious.

Great job ... colors look PERFECT! (No alien-green complaints from TJ on this one!!!)

TJ
 
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