American Flyer Locomotive 21155 Docksider Switcher Parts List & Diagram

The American Flyer Locomotive 21155 Docksider Switcher 0-6-0 would have had 0 leading, 6 driving, and 0 trailing wheels. There were 5 models of the Switcher 0-6-0 produced by Gilbert:

• 21004
• 21005
• 21155
• 21156
• 21158

The American Flyer Locomotive 21155 dockside switcher featured a die-cast metal chassis, plastic boiler and cab, metal wheels and side rods, operating knuckle couplers, a working headlight, smoke and Choo-Choo sounds.

What is a Locomotive Switcher?

A switcher is a small train engine built for short distance hauling and moving rail cars around a freight yard. Essentially, they put the train together and then a large locomotive is brought in to haul the train to its destination. Switchers are also sometimes used to make short distance runs and pick up cars on branch lines. The typical switcher is optimized for its job, being relatively low-powered but with additional traction designed to get heavy cars rolling quickly. Switching is hard work, and heavily used switch engines wear out quickly from the abuse of constant hard contacts with cars and frequent starting and stopping.