HELP!

[Kschreihofer15]

Hi folks, my dad passed in January and I am finally getting to cleaning the attic. I remember watching him set up the trains when I was really young. Well now I am on possession of his "toys". I haven't seen them in a long time. I want to identify the set and possibly sell them BUT I want to be educated. Can someone help to identify the locomotive. I will post more pictures as I get to the other boxes.

MANY thanks.

Ken Jr.

 

[Rico]

Hi Ken, and sorry to hear of your loss.
That looks like an old American flyer loco to me, (O scale) and looks like it’s literally had the wheels run off.
I'm sure someone will be along shortly with more info but start from there.

edit: check Lunds Auctions

 

[Mixed Freight]

Welcome Ken, and sorry for your loss.

Doing some quick research, the #525 locomotive is a pre-war American Flyer, offered in 1940 only. Looking at your pictures, we can see that both the front and trailing truck wheels are disintegrating from "zinc pest" (impurities in the molten zinc when originally die-cast causes this problem over a period of time). Also missing some side rod linkages. Still, if it runs at all, it could be worth more than if not. Regardless, if you're selling it, your loco is probably only going to be good as a parts engine. A few other comparable parts locos on E-bay are priced at around $25 or thereabouts, so you probably wont be able to retire after selling it.

Once again though, as I only did some quick research on it, and since I am not all that familiar with American Flyer to begin with, I could be wrong on my assessment.

 

[Bruette]

That looks like an old American flyer loco to me, (O scale)

And I thought American Flyer only made S gauge trains, thank you.

I learn something every day on this forum!

 

[Dub]

That is O gage, identified by the center pickup. It was made around the early 40's. Part acquisition could be a problem. The 500 engine number was ised by AF for O gage too! Myflyer org has some catalogs dating back to 39/40. It should be listed there.

earch the train tender parts. Look for AF prewar parts. The top pf the list has wheels and gears for O gage. Axles too

 

[Rico]

You mentioned possibly selling… however you might not get back what you put into it.
It happens.

 

[Iron Horseman]

Hi folks, my dad passed in January and I am finally getting to cleaning the attic. I remember watching him set up the trains when I was really young. Well now I am on possession of his "toys". I haven't seen them in a long time. I want to identify the set and possibly sell them BUT I want to be educated. Can someone help to identify the locomotive. I will post more pictures as I get to the other boxes.

I agree 1940 American Flyer O-gauge. Actually pretty rare. Too bad it is in such poor condition. I would say could be restored to some extent for personal use, but restoring and selling probably not worth the cost of parts and labor.

If you really care about details. One of the reasons it is rare is because most American Flyer locomotives were models of locos that had a Wootten firebox, that kind of drapes down off the bottom of the back of the boiler. This model has a Belpaire fire box, the kind that forms a square hump over the back of the boiler. The Wootten firebox was heavily used on the Reading Railroad which, as I understand it, ran just outside the American Flyer corporate headquarters. The Belpaire was used primarily by the Pennsylvania and Great Northern Railroads.

I see one on e-bay listed for $75, BUT it has the box. Sometimes the box is more valuable than the train.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/3256967582...Qn89-vis7D3dUOkk9l-7-a61IhPBDSe_dt0TAaPUoONBs