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TrainDR started as a father/son project as a way to find a joint project for us to work on. The site is focused on curating the wealth of train knowledge from Bill’s head through an organized approach. First we wanted to focus on bringing high quality content, diagrams, and historical information on American Flyer Trains. Long term we will cover Lionel and others. Next we wanted to provide amateurs and enthusiasts quality information, manuals, and reference materials for toy trains. With a great deal of this content complete, we are moving on to the next phase of the project.

 

Phase II of the project is to add a collecting functionality. For over 60 years Bill has struggled to organize, catalog, index, and track his collection. Our collection tracking tool is designed to make that much easier. Next we wanted to add a better train community auction site than the generic EBAY style sites. Finally, we wanted to begin taking various components of the site and turning them into educational books, videos, and repair tools so that we may inspire future generations of train collectors and record the history of what exists now.

GILBERT AMERICAN FLYER TRAINS

FROM THE BLOG

What were the Gilbert American Flyer Wiring Standards?

Part of the challenge to Gilbert engineers of providing American Flyer electric trains for the public was to set up a wiring system that would enable the kids and non technical adults to easily and successfully set up the trains and accessories. To do this they set up...

Christmas with American Flyer

The Holiday Season has always been a focus of toy trains. In some families it was the time of year to put up the train set under the Christmas tree with a village or putz to add to the festive décor in the living room. In other families it was the time of year for a...

What are the Different Types of American Flyer Crossing Signals?

Gilbert American Flyer provided accessory signals for the layout to protect the locations where a road crossed the tracks. These crossing signals blinked as the train approached and then crossed the road. Available in several configurations from 1946 to 1964 they...

American Flyer Accessory Crossing Gates Guide

Gilbert American Flyer Crossing Gates were introduced in the pre war 3/16’s product line from 1938 to 1941. Many of the parts that were in inventory when toy production was stopped for the war were saved and then used in the post war products. The first crossing gate introduced in the post war period was the 591 which continued the prewar 591 design but with the wiring adapted to the newly introduced two rail track system.

Top 4 differences between American Flyer trains and Lionel trains?

My father grew up on American Flyer trains and I grew up on Lionel trains. I remember distinctly some major differences and found the three rail aspect of Lionel trains always weird. That being said, here are the Top 4 differences between American Flyer trains and...

What American Flyer Locomotive Service Manual Do I need?

So you have an old Gilbert American Flyer Train Engine that is broken or needs service. This page will provide you an index and links to the appropriate original service manual. The left column provides the original American Flyer Locomotive part number and the right column is the link to the manual itself.

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