Lionel American Flyer S gauge 0-6-0T

I DON’T HAVE a bond with postwar American Flyer. My grandfather had Flyer trains, my uncle had Marx trains, and I had Lionel trains. So I have a pretty broad view of postwar trains, and my S gauge interests aren’t driven by nostalgia, but rather by what I think will look cool on my layout. […]

Read More…

How to clean and oil O gauge and large scale engines

Photo of track cleaning fluid and accessories on white background.

For better or worse, the wheels of O and large scale trains seem to attract more grease and grime than those of HO and N scale pieces. Perhaps it’s the size of the trains, perhaps the shape of the wheels, or perhaps it’s carbon that gets deposited during operation, but either way they get filthy […]

Read More…

MTH American Flyer no. 785 operating coal loader

COMPETITION HAS always brought out the best in toy train manufacturers. Just consider the fantastic accessories that Lionel and A.C. Gilbert brought out during the postwar era that represented similar but not identical answers to what the market wanted. Kids loved pretending that their trains hauled logs and coal, so each company created operating loaders. […]

Read More…

Lionel American Flyer no. 787 log loader

THE NEW REISSUE OF the American Flyer no. 787 log loader proves that, at least for toy train enthusiasts, the best things in life fit O and S gauge. Thanks to Lionel’s ingenuity, an accessory that began life as an S gauge item is now adaptable to O. I predict you’ll see plenty of these […]

Read More…

Lionel American Flyer S gauge Baldwin switcher

Lionel American Flyer S gauge Baldwin switcher

BACK DURING THE HEYDAY OF Gilbert’s American Flyer S gauge, the Connecticut train-maker added a diesel switcher to its lineup. Over the years, the switcher, which debuted in 1956, was offered in Chicago & North Western, Seaboard, Minneapolis & St. Louis, and Texas & Pacific road names, often with a dummy unit. Today, Lionel has […]

Read More…