Q: I have two American Flyer no. 18B transformers with two Lionel no. 167 whistle controllers on my layout. My problem is that older Lionel steam locomotive whistles do not work at all, and the new sound systems and horns only work well when stopped. While moving, blowing the whistles tends to slow the engines […]
Tag: American Flyer
Lionel American Flyer S gauge 0-6-0T
I DON’T HAVE a bond with postwar American Flyer. My grandfather had Flyer trains, my uncle had Marx trains, and I had Lionel trains. So I have a pretty broad view of postwar trains, and my S gauge interests aren’t driven by nostalgia, but rather by what I think will look cool on my layout. […]
How to clean and oil O gauge and large scale engines
For better or worse, the wheels of O and large scale trains seem to attract more grease and grime than those of HO and N scale pieces. Perhaps it’s the size of the trains, perhaps the shape of the wheels, or perhaps it’s carbon that gets deposited during operation, but either way they get filthy […]
MTH American Flyer no. 785 operating coal loader
COMPETITION HAS always brought out the best in toy train manufacturers. Just consider the fantastic accessories that Lionel and A.C. Gilbert brought out during the postwar era that represented similar but not identical answers to what the market wanted. Kids loved pretending that their trains hauled logs and coal, so each company created operating loaders. […]
Lionel American Flyer reproduction 755 station and 789 baggage smasher
SOME OF THE FINEST American Flyer accessories that the A.C. Gilbert Co. developed in the late prewar and postwar eras fit as nicely on O gauge layouts as they always have on S gauge railroads. For that reason, many of you should consider one or both of the animated Flyer stations being reissued by Lionel. […]
Lionel American Flyer no. 787 log loader
THE NEW REISSUE OF the American Flyer no. 787 log loader proves that, at least for toy train enthusiasts, the best things in life fit O and S gauge. Thanks to Lionel’s ingenuity, an accessory that began life as an S gauge item is now adaptable to O. I predict you’ll see plenty of these […]
Lionel American Flyer S gauge Baldwin switcher
BACK DURING THE HEYDAY OF Gilbert’s American Flyer S gauge, the Connecticut train-maker added a diesel switcher to its lineup. Over the years, the switcher, which debuted in 1956, was offered in Chicago & North Western, Seaboard, Minneapolis & St. Louis, and Texas & Pacific road names, often with a dummy unit. Today, Lionel has […]
