American Flyer: The Complete Railroad System Challenge

In 1946, American Flyer came out with a sales scheme called the Complete Railroad System. In the catalog the system are listed as set numbers 4622 and 4624. The system came with two train sets, two switches, an Electromatic crane, two bridges and numerous other accessories that fit into a 50”x90” space. The idea was to provide everything for someone to create a ready to go layout and also promoted sales of other items and accessories. The system was pictured as an artists interpretation of a possible built factory display layout. The drawback was the person buying the system components or store owner had to build their own layout.
I love the old catalog artwork and descriptive writing so I decided to create my own version of the Complete Railroad System and try to encourage American Flyer enthusiasts to build their own version of this layout pictured in the early post war catalogs. Purists could argue that my version isn’t correct because its smaller than 50”x90” and features different trains than the catalog image, but all of the accessories on my layout came in the complete system. I think it captures the spirit of what AC Gilbert intended when they offered this set in the early post-war Flyer years.
I would offer this challenge to anyone who loves American Flyer. Just build a layout with two trains and a couple of accessories. My Complete System layout will run for a little longer, but I’m going to tear it all down and build a new one. It’s the best way to learn about how Flyer works so we can build that big dream layout someday.
For more information about the Complete Railroad System, check out American Flyer Displays and History at www.americanflyerdisplays.org and look under promotional displays. If you build your own version of the Complete Railroad System feel free to share your efforts. Are you up for the challenge?