Gilbert American Flyer Instruction Book

The original instruction book published in 1952 by the A C Gilbert Company. The book contains 64 pages of advice and helpful hints on planning and operating an American Flyer model railroad.

There is a new Edition of this classic book which includes everything in this one plus 200 more pages of information on Gilbert American Flyer trains and accessories. Tom Barker's best selling guide to the repair and restoration of Gilbert American Flyer S Gauge trains is available in print once more. Now in its 40th Anniversary, Third Edition it is packed full of new information including a new chapter on cosmetic restoration and an expanded chapter on accessories. Tom includes a handy checklist that gives you the step-by-step procedures for servicing a steam or diesel engine when it comes into your roundhouse. The book's footprint has been made smaller so more precious space on a workbench is available. At the same time, the type has been made larger and all the Gilbert hook-up instructions have been reset for easier reading. The famous trouble shooting flow diagram has been redrawn and 85 new photographs have been added for a total of 120 close-up, detailed visual insights into how these prized model trains are assembled and serviced. If you are new to American Flyer S Gauge operating and collecting, this is a "must have guide" to your hobby. If you have a previous copy of Tom's book, you will certainly want to get this new version!

Since Tom Barker published his first book on Gilbert American Flyer S Gauge operation and repair over 45 years ago, thousands of loyal Flyer Fans have used this book to preserve these fantastic testimonials to American ingenuity and manufacturing prowess. While these trains are 60 to 70 years old, they are still going strong because of a dedicated group devoted to their preservation. Tom hopes that his research and writing has helped in some small way to help these thousands of AF fans in their efforts. Now, in a giant single volume, Tom covers the fundamental aspects of problem diagnosis and repair. He lists the basic tools that need to be in your roundhouse to effectively keep your American Flyer S Gauge trains on the right track. This is the authoritative book on Gilbert AF Train repair. Not just a manual of parts, but a guide on how to actually take things apart and put them back together in excellent working order. In this, the Fourth Edition, Tom expands on the basics found in his first handmade book and adds his "tips" that range from the ever present problem of keeping track clean to the complete restoration of a Circus Train from junk box parts. The accessories section has been expanded to include the most popular of these operating marvels. If you find a broken sawmill, Tom's step-by-step guidance will get it working on your layout. His philosophy has always been to use commonly available components to reconstruct and restore broken parts that are no longer available. (The Gilbert Factory closed in 1967). If you are new to operating and collecting Gilbert American Flyer S Gauge, welcome to a wonderful world! If you are a seasoned, experienced AF operator you will just love the compilation of information Tom has assembled.

Following responses from numerous discussions/arguments with (mostly older) "train guys" as to whether American Flyer trains had two or three rail track, it seemed some clarification was in order. It also appeared that, while the post-war "S" gauge two-rail period is quite well covered, there is very little information still in print on their immediate ancestors. The purpose of this little guide is to present, to the people who are unaware of their existence, the three-rail "Tru-Model" toy trains of the A. C. Gilbert Company, of New Haven CT, which were introduced at the 1939 New York World's Fair, and which were produced until the war-imposed shutdown of non-essential manufacturing, in July 1942. Dimensions and color schemes are provided, throughout the work. Wheel arrangements follow the Whyte system of course. Lengths given exclude couplers. Locomotive lengths given include the proper tender. At LEAST one large color photo is included for EACH distinct item, and EVERY set is illustrated in catalog format, in color! Captions are self-explanatory. All (220+) photographs were taken by the author, of specimens from his personal collection, unless specifically credited otherwise. While an attempt was made to show 'better-grade, collectible' specimens, the cars are representative of vintage TOYS, and are not intended to represent the pristine, mint-in-the-box, items available to only a very wealthy few.It should be noted that when Gilbert brought American Flyer in 1938 there was a substantial amount of salable (but non-scale) "Chicago" inventory on hand. Prior to that time, most toy trains, in general, were quite unrealistic in appearance, particularly car length. If you wanted more realism, you had but one choice - build from scratch! This guide does NOT cover ANY of that pre-1940 "Chicago Flyer" material! The 1939 American Flyer catalog first introduced the die-cast 3/16" scale equipment, but only in the four most expensive sets, with would become the two top-of-the-line locomotives. By 1940, the conversion to 3/16" scale (including the first pressed-steel cars) was well under way, but it was not until the 1941 catalog that ALL offerings were of Gilbert's new 3/16" scale design. The first post-war catalog (for1946) does not list the very limited remaining stock of "O" gauge trains which was sold off as soon as possible so as to concentrate on the brand new - and more exciting - two-rail lineup.There is some intentional redundancy in the descriptions, since it is felt that many users are going to simply look in the index for "their" car(s), and I wanted them to be able to find everything in one place, without their having to crawl page by page. It should be noted that legitimate, factory produced, items are known with some feature(s) differing slightly from the "standard" versions of the items presented here. Money was saved wherever possible, and shortcuts were taken, particularly as to colors, and markings. Nothing was wasted - some cabooses were even made on tender frames! The most common off-beat example being that some cars will have two "American Flyer Lines" decals instead of the normal one, plus the car number. Paint shades may vary.It must be remembered that their intent was to produce operable toys, hopefully at a profit, for the enjoyment of (mostly) children, and they were not following any rigid rules to satisfy 'nit-picking' collectors in the then far-distant future. Within certain parameters almost anything is at least possible and, after 80 years, some repairs, repaints, etc. have themselves acquired the patina of genuine-ness and antiquity. The author takes full responsibility for the accuracy of any opinions regarding such specimens which may be stated in this work. The author welcomes input from fellow collectors having any corrections, or further information, regarding these trains, which may be incorporated into future editions of this work.

Troubleshooting and Repair of A.C. Gilbert S-Gauge armatures and fields. Full-color reference manual supporting component recognition, troubleshooting (expected values), and specifications for rebuilding/rewinding those components. Contains unique material obtained from original A.C.Gilbert factory Bills of Materials.

An extension of the best selling "Gilbert American Flyer Operating and Repair Guide." This volume is full of new information and covers many of the aspects not found in the original book and adds an index to both volumes. This is a new book and not to be confused with the original book. The price is higher than Volume 1 because of the full color phorographs founs in this new volume.