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...

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...

When Gilbert acquired American Flyer in 1938, they introduced Gilbert designed accessories to compliment the train line. The first Gilbert American Flyer design bridges used Gilbert Erector Set Gilbert AF 1st Bridgeparts. The migration of parts went the other way as well. The house at the top of an American Flyer signal tower became the Erector Set house.

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.

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...

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.

The first American Flyer Set produced also came with track, an uncoupler, and a transformer. The “T” in the set number indicated that a transformer was included. The set was cataloged in 1948 and 1949 and several un-cataloged versions also exist. 1948 versions should have the brass coupler weights and the 1949 versions should have black coupler weights.

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.