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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

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...

History of American Flyer Displays

American Flyer understood its market and the influence a visual and active display would have on the decision to purchase Gilbert American Flyer trains. Print advertising in consumer magazines and trade magazines was placed to excite the buyers and to encourage the...

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...

What is an American Flyer Rectiformer and a Rectifier?

The American Flyer Number 14 Electronic Rectiformer, Number 15 Directronic Rectifier and Number 16 Electronic Rectiformer were made in the late 1940’s and on into the 1950’s to provide DC power for the series of American Flyer DC steam locomotives produced in the same...

What are the different types of American Flyer Train Motors

Gilbert American Flyer made a variety of train motors based on the various train models they were manufacturing. In general, the motors were designed to match the type of locomotives they were modeled after and had a variety of features. It appears that there were approximately 6 different types of American Flyer Train motors as well as a variety used in accessories and other components.

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...

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