American Flyer Highway Flasher 760

American Flyer Highway Flasher 760

In 1948 the crossing protection changed to the American Flyer Accessory 760 Automatic Highway Flasher from the 582 model. The 760 is a much more sturdy construction with a die cast base, metal vertical rod, crossbuck, and lamp housings. Two knurled nuts provide the connection points for the wiring. The 760 again uses the 696 Track Trips and operates in the same manner as the later 582 with the rolling stock wheels causing the button on the track trip to activate the contact and blink the signal. Somewhere in this transition from the 582 to the 760 the part of the 696 that makes contact with the wheel flange of the rolling stock changed from a die cast button to a plastic “shoe” (a plastic piece about ¾ inch long that makes a more reliable physical contact with the wheels). The newer shoe is also less likely to cause a derail of a lightweight car. The basic 760 remained in the product line until 1964.

In 1957 the 760 became the 23760 Automatic Highway Flasher as Gilbert American Flyer implemented a new inventory/catalog numbering system due to the installation of an IBM computer to help automate the accounting system. Packaging, catalog and instruction sheets changed but the product did not.

The original accessory also required the American Flyer Track 696 Track Trip. When the train went over the track clip it completed the circuit to the Highway Flasher causing the lights to flash for the moving train. The American Flyer Accessory 760 Highway Flasher was built from 1949 to 1956.   The accessory could also be connected to an American Flyer Rectiformer or Rectifier.  

The American Flyer Accessory 760 Highway Flasher was designed to add realism for your train layout by providing a crossing warning and enabling the enthusiast to signal model cars and roads of the passing train. No buttons or remote control components were necessary for the operation of the flasher.