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American Flyer Articles

"87 for 87"

A reprint of an article about trying to come up with 87 new ideas using AF-based products (only 8 are listed).

A Brief History of American Flyer Pullman Cars

After a history lesson about Pullman the man and his company, this article covers the A.C. Gilbert AF Pullman passenger cars.

A.F. Service Committee Report

A summary of the 1990 A.F. Commemorative Car made by Lionel, and the improvements Lionel has made to their products starting this product year. Also the article introduces the 1991 A.F. Commemorative Car.

A.F. Service Committee Report

Update on the 1995, 1994, and 1993 A.F. Commemorative Cars projects.

AF Lines

This is a reprint and update of an article from a past issue of the magazine that covers how to convert an AC current American Flyer locomotive to operate on a DC current layout.

AF Service Committee Report

A report on the status of the current and upcoming A.F. Commemorative Cars.

American Flyer 765 Car Washer

The author shares the history and photos of this A.C. Gilbert prototype accessory that never went into production (bought at Gilbert's bankruptcy auction).

American Flyer Circus Train Mania

The author shares his observations about trying to build and improve upon his collection of American Flyer circus trains. Includes several photos of cars.

American Flyer Collector

The author has built a fantastic collection of both American Flyer and Plasticville products. He is always improving on his collection, because not only does he want one of each, he wants the best he can find of each. The display room also includes an 7'x6' island-style layout. Includes many photos.

American Flyer Collector's Column

The A.C. Gilbert company starts to deal with the sales slump of of late 1954, in early 1955.

American Flyer Collector's Column

This column covers the use of proper A.F. screws.

American Flyer Collector's Column

This column answers a number of AF-related questions from subscribers.

American Flyer Collector's Column

The author starts a series of columns covering 1956 through 1958, Gilbert's heyday.

American Flyer Collector's Column

This column covers the Flyerama displays, and A.C. Gilbert factory plant additions.

American Flyer Collector's Column

The author covers the #660 Baggage and Club Car, #661 Streamlined Coach, #662 Vista Dome Pullman, and the #663 Streamlined Observation. He also answers questions he has received.

American Flyer Collector's Column

This column covers the ATSF Warbonnet engines produced by A.C. Gilbert. It also includes the billboards showing those engines.

American Flyer Collector's Column

The installment covers the second diesel locomotive A.C. Gilbert introduced in 1950, the EMD GP7. Includes a bit of prototype history as well.

American Flyer Memories on My Scale Layout

The author describes how he sold and then re-acquired all of the box cars and reefers listed on page 48 of the 1956 AF catalog.

American Flyer Service Committee October 1989 Report

Two previous committees were merged into this new one, and the purpose is to produce an annual NASG A.F. Commemorative Car. The car significantly increased the NASG's membership.

American Flyer Service Committee Report

Status update on the 1991 NASG AF Commemorative Car, introduction to the 1992 one, and some info on the 1993 one.

American Flyer Switch Modifications

The authors show several modifications that they make to A.C. Gilbert AF turnouts.

American Flyer Under the Tree

The author shares a number of photos of S-scale trains under the family's Christmas tree, as well as his friend's layout. Other Christmas-related photos with trains are included as well.

Circus Train Variation

The author found a #643 circus flat car, and studies it a bit more. Includes several photos.

Editorial

Dick describes his transition from A.F. to scale. His request is for more A.F.-related materials to be published in the Dispatch.

Electrical Union May Strike Over Unsafe Working Conditions with Yardlights

The author describes how he added ladders and platforms to his two Lionel AF floodlight towers. Includes several final and construction photos.

Famous AF Passenger Cars

After a brief introduction to the Osgood Bradley coaches (85-foot long, lightweight design), the author describes the A.C. Gilbert AF models of same (which were only 53 scale feet in length).

Fixin' Flyer

This is the first of the author's columns about running and fixing American Flyer trains. In this column he introduces himself and his history of model railroading. He shares a tip for how to remove the AF floors from the cars' body, including the action caboose.

Fixin' Flyer

This column focuses on trucks and their wheels.

Fixin' Flyer

This column continues to deal with improving A.F. trucks.

Fixin' Flyer

The author describes the Christmas train set up he builds and uses every year, which includes elevated sections.

Fixin' Flyer

In this column, the author covers how to deal with loose A.F. steam wheels as they age. It also deals with gauging the wheels as well as quartering them.

Fixin' Flyer

The author covers repairing motors in A.F. steam locomotives.

Fixin' Flyer

This column focuses on the A.C. Gilbert track, and how to get good performance out of it.

Fixin' Flyer

Continuing with the track theme from the previous issue, this column makes suggestions for improved running around the Christmas tree. Includes several Christmas set-up photos by Mike Wright.

Fixin' Flyer

The author describes the various A.F. steam locomotives that were produced.

Fixin' Flyer

How to identify smoke-in-tender models and how to fix them.

Fixin' Flyer

New books and reference material to help anyone wanting to repair A.F. products.

Fixin' Flyer

This column starts a series on A.F. turnouts. It covers A.F. #720.

Fixin' Flyer

This column continues the series on A.F. turnouts.

Fixin' Flyer

What tools are required to be able to fix A.F. items?

Fixin' Flyer

What to look for before buying a "bargain" at a train show.

Fixin' Flyer

What to look for before buying a "bargain" at a train show.

Fixin' Flyer

How to prepare your AF trains for the Christmas display layout around the Christmas tree.

Fixin' Flyer

The author gives the top-ten reasons why you're having trouble keeping your engines on the track.

Four American Flyer "Whys?"

The author poses (and answers) four "why" questions about why A.C. Gilbert produced a specific product for which there seemed to be no prototype.

From Gilbert to YouTube

The author introduces himself, and his YouTube channel "Austin's American Flyer", dedicated to all things A.C. Gilbert American Flyer. As his YouTube channel grew, he started developing new products aimed at the AF enthusiast, such as a 30-degree crossing.

Gilbert Wheel Is a Winner

The author built a display where the train runs on a vertical circular track, which he uses as an attention-getter for train shows.

Hudson Pilot Coupler Conversion

By converting the pilot coupler of the A.F. Hudson, double-heading of trains becomes possible. This photo-essay article shows how to do that with American Models couplers.

It Pays to Accessorize

The author covers adding animated accessories to his layout.

Jim Steed's Flyer Accessories

The author has a 30'x60' O-scale layout, but he uses a lot of A.C. Gilbert American Flyer accessories, some of which are photographed.

Linkage for 316 & 326 Locomotives for Front Coupler

Design drawings for how to construct the linkage.

Lonny Beno's American Flyer Journey

An article about how Lonny got into AF collecting, and his small 6' x 8' layout.

President's Message

A review of the past number of years of NASG Dispatch articles seems to indicate that the focus has been on "scale" modeling with little coverage for the A.F. enthusiast. To change that, Tom Nimelli has been appointed the Chairman of the American Flyer Enthusiast Committee.

Remodeling a Wayside Station

The story is about how Jim Bezek refurbishes old, non-functioning American Flyer accessories and brings them back to life again, using a passenger station platform as an example. Includes several construction photos.

Restoration Station

In his first column in the Dispatch, the author covers his locomotive test station that he built, which includes photos of it.

Restoration Station

The author shares the reference materials he uses to help him diagnose problems with A.C. Gilbert equipment.

Restoration Station

Working on A.C. Gilbert's 5-digit model ID steam engines.

S Lore

Modifying the AF #283 Pacific to allow for coupling on the front, for double-heading.

Short and Easy

This article covers what it would take to convert the American Flyer #740 handcar to be a reversing one, using electronic components.

The "Mad Butcher" of AF

To some, kitbashing old original A.C. Gilbert American Flyer items is sacrilege, and the author shares how he deals with that.

The 1988 AF Car Project

The author provides a behind-the-scenes look on how the NASG's A.F. Commemorative Car project was started, and working with Lionel to make it a reality.

The American Flyer 'Moe & Joe' Flat Car

This article covers the 1956 A.C. Gilbert Southern Pacific #971 Lumber Unloading Car with animated figures unloading the car.

The American Flyer EMD F-9

This article covers the history of the F9, FP9, and F19 locomotives. At the end of the article is a brief overview of the A.C. Gilbert F9 locomotive produced in 1961.

The American Flyer Enthusiast

An introduction of this new column in the Dispatch.

The American Flyer Enthusiast

The author covers the new products that Lionel is making available under the "American Flyer" brand name. He also covers American Models' new products, and the restart of the Rex product line.

The American Flyer Enthusiast

The author describes how to trouble-shoot a locomotive smoke unit.

The American Flyer Enthusiast

The author expresses his frustration with his GP-20 not running on the club layout for more than 20 minutes. He describes how he fixed it.

The American Flyer Enthusiast

A tip on using Bondo's "Plastic Metal" to repair AF shells.

The American Flyer Whistling Billboard

This article covers the history of the whistling billboard (and why it was created), covering several of the models made by A.F. and A.C. Gilbert. Several photos are included.

The NASG American Flyer Car Project Part IV

This installment covers the NASG American Flyer Commemorative cars from 1997 through 1999, including photos of each of them.

The NASG American Flyer Car Project Part VI

Covers the years 2000 and 2001, which were very popular tank cars.

The NASG American Flyer Car Project Part VII

This installment covers the 2002 and 2003 NASG American Flyer Commemorative Cars, both tank cars (includes their photos).

The NASG American Flyer Car Project Part VIII

This installment covers the 2004 through 2008 NASG A.F. Commemorative Car projects, because they represented an entire GE work train, culminating into the 2008 Baldwin switcher engine (the only locomotive ever produced in this project). Includes photos of each piece.

The Roundhouse

This column covers how to deal with A.F. engines that run great in reverse but poorly going forward.

The Roundhouse

The author covers the basics, such as how to lubricate an A.F. locomotive, and oil animated cars and accessories.

The Roundhouse

This article covers A.F. transformers, laying A.F. track, dealing with turnouts, lubricating engines, working steam and diesel locomotives, using reverse units, trucks, couplers, and accessories.

The Roundhouse

Covers replacing A.F. tender truck rivet bushings.

The Roundhouse

The A.F. smoke unit and its choo-choo sound, and how to maintain and repair them.

The Roundhouse

This column only lists an index of all the A.F. topics covered in this column over the years.

The Roundhouse

This column covers two automatic circuits for use with DC track power, namely the one that will reverse a handcar or trolley when it strikes a small switch, and one for automatically handling reverse-loop-to-reverse-loop track plans.

The Roundhouse

The author takes over this column, introduces himself, and covers the AF diesel roar.

The Roundhouse

This column covers repairing the A.C. Gilbert two-step E unit.

The Roundhouse

The author answers questions about the whistle 314AW.

The Roundhouse

First, the author encourages modelers to learn how to do their own repairs on their A.F. products. He then continues by discussing the A.F. 4-step reversing unit.

The Roundhouse

The author covers how he repaired a #355 Baldwin CNW locomotive. It is continued in the next issue.

The Roundhouse

Continues the repair article from the September/October issue.

The Roundhouse

Information about fixing smoke units in some A.F. steam engines.

The Roundhouse

This articles covers how to rebuild the smoke-in-boiler unit. Although previously covered in the S Gaugian magazine, this includes updates.

The Roundhouse

The author gets an A.F. K-5 Pacific steam locomotive #21115 running again.

The Roundhouse

This column covers the A.F. #752 and 752A Seaboard Coal Loader.

The Roundhouse

The author describes the A.C. Gilbert "Talking Station" accessory.

The Roundhouse

How to repair two-motor locomotives.

The Roundhouse

Covers various short tips. Included are cleaning the plastic bodies, cleaning engines, cleaning e-units, new motor brushes and springs, repairing steam drivers, rebuilding a smoke unit, lubricants, and removing paint.

The Roundhouse

The author covers A.C. Gilbert steam engine motors that were built from 1948 through 1966. Includes how to tune them, disassemble them, repair them, and then re-assemble them.

The Roundhouse Part 1

This is the first installment covering two-motor A.F. diesels.

The Roundhouse Part II

This column continues two-motor diesels, and how to detect and fix problems.

The Union Pacific "Pony Express" of A.C. Gilbert

The history behind the production of this train.

The Wonderful American Flyer Sawmill

The author describes his desire to own one of these since being a young boy, but he finally had a chance to buy one. He describes the workings of the accessory in this article, accompanied by several photos.