American Flyer Automatic Blinker Signal 582 Instructions

This is the service bulletin furnished by the A. C. Gilbert Co. to authorized service stations to aid them in the service and repair of American Flyer equipment. Specifically, this bulletin is for the American Flyer Automatic Blinker Signal 582 Wiring Manual.

American Flyer Automatic Blinker Signal 582

In 1946 and 1947 Gilbert American Flyer cataloged the American Flyer Accessory 582 Automatic Blinker Signal. The 582 was a continuation of a similar unit cataloged in the Gilbert American Flyer line in the pre-war 0 gauge line. With the introduction of S gauge, the 582 was originally cataloged to operate with model 695 Track Trips in 1946. This track trip was activated by coming in contact with spring loaded brass “buttons” in the center of the frames of the steam locomotives. While it seems that very few of the 695 Track Trips were actually manufactured, there are many examples of the locomotives with the buttons. The 582 Automatic Blinker Signal is also hard to find and boxed examples are even harder. Boxed examples do exist that are probably 1947 production and include the 696 Track Trip instead of the 695.

The 696 Track Trip operates on a very different principle than the 695. As wheels of the locomotives and rolling stock meet the trip, a button is depressed and the button is attached to a spring that makes contact and provides voltage to the lights of the Blinker. Each wheel causes a separate contact connection and then releases resulting in a Blink on the 582 for each wheel.

The Gilbert American Flyer 582 Automatic Blinker Signal uses an early example of a light pipe. The actual light bulb is in the die cast base of the signal. There is a Lucite rod that extends from the top of the base, above the light bulb, up to the cross arm. An extension connects with the rod sideways to the two light positions. The rod is covered with a black cardboard tube in some versions and by a metal tube in others. The cross arm extension is also covered in black to shroud the light. Openings at the front allow the light to shine out and warn the automobiles and trucks that a train is crossing. There is a red lens at the base of the vertical rod to filter the light from the bulb and cause the signal to shine red. Lionel has reproduced this signal in the last few years so it is now easier to find examples.