Dad's childhood prewar American Flyer train set

Hi trainsrfun,

I have both editions of the Greenberg guide and it is interesting to see that the information about your engine differs in each edition.  Generally the second edition by Schuweiler has better information and uses a different identification system for engines.

There is no 616 listed in the second edition and I am not able to identify your engine.  Is your engine sheet metal or die cast? It looks to be sheet metal.  The illustration in the 1932 catalog looks like your engine and I think that your assessment is correct that someone cut down the side rods. The copper top of the boiler and the engine cab also have me puzzled.  I've never seen that before

I have a set of cars exactly like yours that came with a different engine, which I don't think started out life together.  Was your father the first owner of the of the set? I think that a good guess would be that the equipment is from circa 1932.  During that era American Flyer marketed their trains through a number of store accounts and other catalog companies.  I don't have access to those resources to do the research.  Mersenne6 and NationWideLines are both much more familiar with that area of American Flyer production and marketing.

There is a set of cars that come with a #614 and the same green cars but with orange roofs that have rounded or square roofs.  I have a set of each of those cars, and I know that Mersenne 6 has an identical set.

I'm not sure how heplful this information is but if I find out anything else I will be sure to share it with you.

Enjoying the World's Greatest Hobby

Northwoods Flyer