What a great collection of Gilbert American Flyer Trains. The layout is fantastic and everything is in immaculate condition. You certainly are living the dream of so many of us who born in the late 1940's and 1950's.
Yup, 1947 for me and I remember visiting my Uncle's house around Christmas `957 and my cousins had a large layout of O-scale trains running, smoking, etc. It was my dream to get a set like that. Cheers, Bob
Growing up in Waterbury, CT in the early to mid 50's a school chum had a Flyer layout on his Living room floor that I imagine his Dad collected and helped his son put together. That layout with its many engines and cars and loop after loop of track blew my mind when I saw it for the first time and even today I think about that collection of power and rolling stock that still ranks as the best private collection of Flyer trains I've ever seen on anyone's living room floor. I hope you still have it Greg - it was something very special.
Just brought boxes of 1950s AM out of storage. Cleaned, repaired and got 302 engine running. Now we’re hooked! And after seeing this ,even more so! Great collection. E&J.
Fantastic! My hope is that this channel will inspire people to jump into flyer, equip people to maintain their flyer items and connect the flyer community.
You mentioned your Dad selling of your trains,my Mom did my trains in while I was away in the service.Fortunately she wrote she was giving my trains to some cousins.A long distance phone call stopped that,along with a brief reminder that I was an adult just to set the record straight ,I saved my trains but she got rid of the catalogs,some of which have yet to be replaced.Still loved her after all Moms are special.
Hi, loved my 1956 mountaineer set mom gave us for christmas, nothing better than the smoke and choo choo, tho never comprehending how collectors do not protect their prized collections from dust.
Thanks for the comment Richard and congrats on a flyer set. Do you still have it? It is challenging dealing with dust. I just noticed how dusty some of my accessories have gotten in just one year.
Nice shelves and I see some American Flyer. I don't buy a thing that is not AF and I only buy with original boxes now because I have all the common stuff in new repro boxes and lots of hard to find stuff in original boxes after finding so much excellent to mint condition stuff on ebay this year. I factory clean everything from top to bottom. All used trains are dirty even when a seller says it is super clean. I am an expert at polishing up used AF with only cotton swabs very weak non toxic soapy water that I wet the swabs with. No chemicals or sprays are ever used. just oil the axles and use elbow grease. That is all. I pulled 45 cars with a Missouri pacific AA diesel at 227 mph. Clean track with shop rags and alcohol. A brite boy is good for old dirty track when you find more old track that has some rust on it. Keep up the fun on that great layout you have there!
I had an american flyer a 464 hudson steam locomotive and a 080 steam locomotive with an elesco feed water heater and they both smoked great layout brings back memories
There are cutouts in the layout framework so you can duck under the table and pop up close to where a derailment might happen. It looks like all of the track is well within reach of the cutouts. Also I dont think S scale trains derail nearly as much as HO and N scale do, especially when there are no switches.
S scale can handle pretty rough track without derailing...and yes...there are access points to access the layout. However the shelves are more challenging to get too.
yngr brother has it to pas on to his kids, mom added the b&m box car, the rocket launcher,billboard whistle, the rerailer, the tube trestle set, the tunnel, and danger signal in 57. and added the 100 watt tranformer by 65, as the handle broke off on the original.
Austin's American Flyer trains: Never had the $$$ for the coal loader and have never been fond of the Alcohol likes. But for $37.20 I bought from the daughter of the late Goodyear Store in Waycross, GA a 342, 302 and a set of the 6-wheel trucked green passenger cars and mail car then for $30 got a 5-digit T&P GP7 and a bunch of later freight cars with the crappy coupler.
Nice video and interview! Similar tale: I hand a massive HO layout with several brass engines, numerous diesels, hundreds of feet of of track, dozens of turnouts, deluxe transformers, etc.. I moved to a house with no basement so asked my father-in-law, who had worked MANY hours on the layout too, if he’d like it in his basement. An unqualified “Sure!” And we moved ALL of it to his house. About 6 months later he approached me with 5 shiny new $20.00 bills. I asked, “What’s this for?” He answered, The trains were in the way of the pool table, so I sold them all and got $100.00 for the lot.” I just walked away, leaving the money with him…. BTW, I still have my 1954 “Meteor” Pacific steam set. It runs great. I’ve NEVER intentionally disposed of any AF gear. I did have 5 storage boxes stolen this past July. Many tears shed…, but nothing stolen was irreplaceable, just the memories of their acquisition when I was a child mowing lawns the pay for them…
Larry, Thats a great layout I wood like to se you run some nice long trains such as a Northern pacific set or 336 pulling a long freight even the 293 you run can pull about 20 cars Lets run some trains Thanks
Hi Larry, I to consider myself a S train collector, but I have a problem. Family members keep stilling my cars, engines and what ever they Like. So I can’t stop the activity going on, the police are No help. I have changed the locks fifteen times which takes away from buying trains. Now I’m an ex collector. Nice video!
i just found an American Flyer Spotlight car yesterday and would love to talk to Larry to see if he wants it to work on because i have 0 use for it at all, or someone else who loves American Flyer.
Do I hear choo choo in that circus loco? No it is the black loco running by. Great layout. How ca anybody get repairs to him? Hope it is all American Flyer. That other S stuff is not real and junky looking to me.
I agree with you that the layout is amazing. If you are wanting to connect with Larry his email is in the comments below the video. Also, if you do connect with him would you please mention how you found him? I would appreciate the reference as I'm basically providing him free advertising. Maybe I should also mention I do flyer repairs as well...
@@AustinsAmericanFlyertrains we live about 2,000 miles from each other. I may ask him to send me some of it. For part of a summer I worked in the Monon Railroad shops in Lafayette, Indiana. Later I bought junk and scraps of AF at various train shows and garage sales and built some very nice Monon AF pieces, all painted as Monon would have in 1948. Included were a passenger Alco A-A tandem and freight A-B-A, and the first Monon box car. One of the Alco A units was the cracked shell and chassis from the very limited original run of Alco production which included wire hand rails at all six doors. This piece still had five of the six sets of hand rails. It took a lot of research to determine the history of the shell. It had been chromed and just a tiny piece of the nose Santa Fe decal remained. A stamped number inside the shell was the key evidence.
Some of that is the result of childhood operating patterns. These engines tend to operate better at slightly higher speeds as well. There is no electronics/DCC/motor feedback found in newer engines/motors. They are mechanically simple and robust. And after 60+ years continue to operate very well. Unfortunately this will not be the case for the engine available today with prototypical operating speeds.
Nice layout but how do you keep it clean? I like the glass covered metal cases to keep engines and cars in because there is no dust and would be more protected in case of earthquakes. I don't like wood shelves with those brackets. Not very protective and they don't look that good. Any higher than eye level is too high up.
I have been buying trains from Larry for about 30 years,a real good guy to deal with 🙂
What a great collection of Gilbert American Flyer Trains. The layout is fantastic and everything is in immaculate condition. You certainly are living the dream of so many of us who born in the late 1940's and 1950's.
Yup, 1947 for me and I remember visiting my Uncle's house around Christmas `957 and my cousins had a large layout of O-scale trains running, smoking, etc. It was my dream to get a set like that. Cheers, Bob
This is one of the most impressive layouts I've ever seen. Thanks to both of you for sharing.
Growing up in Waterbury, CT in the early to mid 50's a school chum had a Flyer layout on his Living room floor that I imagine his Dad collected and helped his son put together. That layout with its many engines and cars and loop after loop of track blew my mind when I saw it for the first time and even today I think about that collection of power and rolling stock that still ranks as the best private collection of Flyer trains I've ever seen on anyone's living room floor. I hope you still have it Greg - it was something very special.
Just brought boxes of 1950s AM out of storage. Cleaned, repaired and got 302 engine running. Now we’re hooked! And after seeing this ,even more so! Great collection. E&J.
Fantastic! My hope is that this channel will inspire people to jump into flyer, equip people to maintain their flyer items and connect the flyer community.
So many fond memories of my youth. I still have my AF and Marx trains. Kudos!
You mentioned your Dad selling of your trains,my Mom did my trains in while I was away in the service.Fortunately she wrote she was giving my trains to some cousins.A long distance phone call stopped that,along with a brief reminder that I was an adult just to set the record straight ,I saved my trains but she got rid of the catalogs,some of which have yet to be replaced.Still loved her after all Moms are special.
Hi, loved my 1956 mountaineer set mom gave us for christmas, nothing better than the smoke and choo choo, tho never comprehending how collectors do not protect their prized collections from dust.
Thanks for the comment Richard and congrats on a flyer set. Do you still have it? It is challenging dealing with dust. I just noticed how dusty some of my accessories have gotten in just one year.
forgot the 28 pieces of rubber roadbed for going around the christmas tree. nice size oval.
Beautiful and impressive AF collection and layout Larry, thank you for sharing!
WOW what a great layout. And a very nice collection of the best trains made, American Flyer by Gilbert......
I appreciate you bias!
Best trains u said it my friend!
Nice shelves and I see some American Flyer. I don't buy a thing that is not AF and I only buy with original boxes now because I have all the common stuff in new repro boxes and lots of hard to find stuff in original boxes after finding so much excellent to mint condition stuff on ebay this year. I factory clean everything from top to bottom. All used trains are dirty even when a seller says it is super clean. I am an expert at polishing up used AF with only cotton swabs very weak non toxic soapy water that I wet the swabs with. No chemicals or sprays are ever used. just oil the axles and use elbow grease. That is all. I pulled 45 cars with a Missouri pacific AA diesel at 227 mph. Clean track with shop rags and alcohol. A brite boy is good for old dirty track when you find more old track that has some rust on it. Keep up the fun on that great layout you have there!
That layout is mind Blowing love the whole room!
I'm happy for you, Larry. Beautiful collection!
I had an american flyer a 464 hudson steam locomotive and a 080 steam locomotive with an elesco feed water heater and they both smoked great layout brings back memories
Fantastic detailed layout...and killer collection to boot!!
I have to make a video of my dads flyer collection. Hes got 117 sets on wall that all have boxes and a nice layout. Lots of other stuff boxed too.
Yes...that sounds amazing! Please share! I would be interested in hearing how got hooked on flyer.
Amazing... inspiring... My dream gauge
Question: How to you retrieve an engine or car when it derails in the middle of the Platform?
There are cutouts in the layout framework so you can duck under the table and pop up close to where a derailment might happen. It looks like all of the track is well within reach of the cutouts.
Also I dont think S scale trains derail nearly as much as HO and N scale do, especially when there are no switches.
S scale can handle pretty rough track without derailing...and yes...there are access points to access the layout. However the shelves are more challenging to get too.
Fantastic layout and collection Larry.
Amazing layout and collection!
Big Layout for American Flyer Trains.
yngr brother has it to pas on to his kids, mom added the b&m box car, the rocket launcher,billboard whistle, the rerailer, the tube trestle set, the tunnel, and danger signal in 57. and added the 100 watt tranformer by 65, as the handle broke off on the original.
Been there with dad removing trains. He gave away my Silver Streak Set and Coal loader that I got in - I think - 1952.
That's tough. Did you do like Larry and reaquire those items?
Austin's American Flyer trains: Never had the $$$ for the coal loader and have never been fond of the Alcohol likes. But for $37.20 I bought from the daughter of the late Goodyear Store in Waycross, GA a 342, 302 and a set of the 6-wheel trucked green passenger cars and mail car then for $30 got a 5-digit T&P GP7 and a bunch of later freight cars with the crappy coupler.
Nice video and interview! Similar tale: I hand a massive HO layout with several brass engines, numerous diesels, hundreds of feet of of track, dozens of turnouts, deluxe transformers, etc.. I moved to a house with no basement so asked my father-in-law, who had worked MANY hours on the layout too, if he’d like it in his basement. An unqualified “Sure!” And we moved ALL of it to his house. About 6 months later he approached me with 5 shiny new $20.00 bills. I asked, “What’s this for?” He answered, The trains were in the way of the pool table, so I sold them all and got $100.00 for the lot.” I just walked away, leaving the money with him…. BTW, I still have my 1954 “Meteor” Pacific steam set. It runs great. I’ve NEVER intentionally disposed of any AF gear. I did have 5 storage boxes stolen this past July. Many tears shed…, but nothing stolen was irreplaceable, just the memories of their acquisition when I was a child mowing lawns the pay for them…
I'm sorry to read these train tradjedies. Will you replace your flyer?
Nice layout and collection, Could you do a video with some long trains running with a 336 engine I like to see some long trains Thanks
What a great layout 5:48
Awesome !
Very cool
Great video. Thank you for sharing.
Isn't Larry's collection and layout amazing! He is a high level modeler. Thanks for your comments Gfw.
Larry, Thats a great layout I wood like to se you run some nice long trains such as a Northern pacific set or 336 pulling a long freight even the 293 you run can pull about 20 cars Lets run some trains Thanks
Your not done yet are are ya? Don't stop!
How do I find you to maybe buy some trains? Jerry S
Look at the comments below the video for contact info.
Hi Larry, I to consider myself a S train collector, but I have a problem. Family members keep stilling my cars, engines and what ever they Like. So I can’t stop the activity going on, the police are No help. I have changed the locks fifteen times which takes away from buying trains. Now I’m an ex collector. Nice video!
i just found an American Flyer Spotlight car yesterday and would love to talk to Larry to see if he wants it to work on because i have 0 use for it at all, or someone else who loves American Flyer.
Or you could talk with me as I also restore flyer s scale.
My email is aftrainfun@gmail.com
Where is this. I would love to come and just visit, if the owner wouldn't mind. I love the S Gauge. I would love to a do a 'micro' video of this.
This person is very private so very few are allowed to see this layout.
@@AustinsAmericanFlyertrains I respect that. Great set though.
Are you testing at what speed the engine will fall off the track?
Is that an original Gilbert/AF New Haven electric engine in Larry's collection? That is the only one I have seen in any videos on You Tube. Rare item?
excellent be cool if you could put some on track cameras and maybe run a bit slower
Nice latout
here is a strange one for all American flyer collectors. In LA calif a 4-8-4 northern was purchased in 1957. The loco boiler is plastic.
Where Can I get S Scale for 1955 American Flyer
Hi George. Send me an email I think I can help... aftrainfun@gmail.com
Do I hear choo choo in that circus loco? No it is the black loco running by. Great layout. How ca anybody get repairs to him? Hope it is all American Flyer. That other S stuff is not real and junky looking to me.
I agree with you that the layout is amazing. If you are wanting to connect with Larry his email is in the comments below the video. Also, if you do connect with him would you please mention how you found him? I would appreciate the reference as I'm basically providing him free advertising. Maybe I should also mention I do flyer repairs as well...
AF is S gauge, not S scale. My son still has the AF trains I had as a child and many more he and I gathered.
Thank you for that clarification. Does you son do anything with your flyer things?
@@AustinsAmericanFlyertrains They have been stored as we packed them up about 25 years ago or so.
@@MarkWick I hope you ir your son have a chance to get them out and enjoy them
@@AustinsAmericanFlyertrains we live about 2,000 miles from each other. I may ask him to send me some of it. For part of a summer I worked in the Monon Railroad shops in Lafayette, Indiana. Later I bought junk and scraps of AF at various train shows and garage sales and built some very nice Monon AF pieces, all painted as Monon would have in 1948. Included were a passenger Alco A-A tandem and freight A-B-A, and the first Monon box car. One of the Alco A units was the cracked shell and chassis from the very limited original run of Alco production which included wire hand rails at all six doors. This piece still had five of the six sets of hand rails. It took a lot of research to determine the history of the shell. It had been chromed and just a tiny piece of the nose Santa Fe decal remained. A stamped number inside the shell was the key evidence.
@@MarkWick do you have any pictures of the work you did? Sounds amazing. And are you still on Indiana?
Beautiful collection. i hope your kids don't sell it for $100.00 when you pass.
You and me both!
Why do AF owners run their trains at 100+ scale miles per hour?
Some of that is the result of childhood operating patterns. These engines tend to operate better at slightly higher speeds as well. There is no electronics/DCC/motor feedback found in newer engines/motors. They are mechanically simple and robust. And after 60+ years continue to operate very well. Unfortunately this will not be the case for the engine available today with prototypical operating speeds.
Nice layout but how do you keep it clean? I like the glass covered metal cases to keep engines and cars in because there is no dust and would be more protected in case of earthquakes. I don't like wood shelves with those brackets. Not very protective and they don't look that good. Any higher than eye level is too high up.
Come on over and help me build those glass cabinets and cases. I'm all set for the help.....3pm ??
Why does everyone run these trains at breakneck speed???... Stop typing... THAT was Rhetorical... Good stuff. Thanks for posting...