The Start of Gilbert American Flyer

Antique Show Coming

2009-11-11T07:13:00.000-08:00

The Great Lehigh Valley ANTIQUE SHOW and Special Guest Wade Nulton Glass Repair and Polishing
Merchants Square Mall1901 S. 12th StreetAllentown, PA 18103
Saturday, November 14, 2009 10 am – 4 pm
Admission $4.00 ** 12 and under FREE

We are pleased to present Dealers from a three (3) State area. Come enjoy over 10,000 square feet of Antiques ranging from the 1880’s—1960’s for show and sale. Browse through Linens, Depression Glass, Fine and Costume Jewelry, Pottery, Vintage Purses, Porcelain, Primitives, Vintage Books, Antique Glass and China, Roseville, Victorian items, Dolls, Trains, Furniture and more. View and purchase items of the past!
There is something for everyone!
We hope to see you at The Great Lehigh Valley ANTIQUE Show
After the show enjoy Merchants Square Mall 100,000+ square feet of Antique and Specialty Shops.
Allentown’s Best Kept Secret!
Don't forget The Great Lehigh Valley Antique TOY & COLLECTIBLE Show on Dec 12, 2009.
Info http://www.valleygoto.com

DON'T MISS THIS ONE!
Valley Rail Promotions
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American Flyer Western Pacific California Zephyr PA-1

2009-11-02T13:55:00.001-08:00

American Flyer Western Pacific California Zephyr PA-1
Covered in one of Lionel's 1993 catalogs, the Western Pacific California Zephyr PA-1 Passenger set is a hard-to-find American Flyer set ! What avid Amercian Flyer collector could pass this up! The set includes a powered PA-1 diesel engine, a non-powered diesel engine, "Silver Beaver" combo car, "Silver Sage" vista dome car, "Silver Schooner" vista dome car, and "Silver Planet" observation car. This set remains sealed in plastic wrap as many of Lionel sets are. This is not available anymore from Lionel. You can have this Mint American Flyer Set. We have one left visit.Valley Rail TrainsMerchants Sqaure Mall1901 S 12th stAllentown Pa 18103American Flyer Set#6-49604 In Stock Only $495.00Visit our website for Great Deals on American Flyer http://www.mosttrains.comAlso Dont Miss, The Great Lehigh Valley Train Meet http://www.valleygoto.com

LIONEL 6464 BOXCARS

2009-11-02T13:29:00.001-08:00

LIONEL 6464 BOXCARS Lionel Boxcars From 1900-1950, railroads provide dominant means of transport for goods via "house cars". The railroad term "house cars" applies to all enclosed freight cars. These were more commonly called “Box Cars”.Lionel primarily produced 3 types of box cars:The Scout type introduced in 1948 with double doors molded with the body.Injection molded 9 1/4 inch boxcars - improvement over stamped sheet metal which made it’s debut in 1946.10 5/8 inch 6464 series boxcars - which had larger proportions overall.The 6464 series box cars are some of the most collected. They come in a great variety of colors and are known for their balanced and pleasing proportions. Many of these particular cars are quite valuable in addition to adding realism to any setup.You can Find Vintage and New 6464 Series Box cars and Many Types in StockValley Rail Trains. Merchants Square Mall 1901 S 12th stAllentown Pa 18103 http://www.mosttrians.com/Your best Source for Lionel ,Prewar ,Postwar Trains ,Parts and MoreAlso. Dont miss The Great Lehigh Valley Train Meet http://www.valleygoto.com/

Lionel Operating Accessories in Stock

2009-10-27T07:48:00.001-07:00

Valley Rail Trains Merchants Square Mall 1901 S 12th st Allentown Pa 18103 Open Fri 12-9 Sat 10-7 Sun 10-5 http://www.mosttrains.com 610-440-0487 We Carry All Types and gauges of Trains and Related items; We have 100,s of Prewar, Postwar and New lionel , American Flyer, Trains, parts and more in stock Vintage Lionel Just in this week, Lionel #12847 Operating Icing Station $70.00 MIB, Lionel #2318 Operating Control Tower MIB $65.00, Lionel#19409 Southern Flat & Stakes $23.00, Lionel#16907 Flat with tractors $32.50,Lionel#16955 AT & SF Flat with Ertl Challenger $34.50Lionel #16742 Gil Trout Farm $35.00 Lionel#Operating Control Tower $65.00, Lionel #12750 Crane Kit $15.00, Lionel #Operating Signal Bridge $48.50, Lionel #19832 Cola Ice Car $48.50, Lionel #12809 Animated Billboard $25.00, Lionel #16935 Union Pacific Flat with Bulldozer $37.50, Greenbergs Vol III Book Of Cataloged Sets Used/Good Condition $24.50, We Carry New and Used items, All Gauges We Buy Toys,Trains,Slot Cars,Call 610-440-0487 Cash paid,Mall Info http://www.merchantssquaremall.comAlso Dont MissThe Great Lehigh Valley Train Meethttp://www.valleygoto.com

Mint Lionel Trains

2009-10-27T06:11:00.001-07:00

Lionel Passenger Cars Mint
Valley Rail TrainsMerchants Square Mall1901 S 12th StAllentown Pa 18103Open Fri-Sun http://www.mosttrains.comWe are a full service Hobby Store with new and vintage trains in all Gauges ,100,s of Pre-war,Post war, New and Used Lionel, American Flyer, Athern,Roundhose, Trains, Parts and More.Now in StockLionel #19017 Lionel Lines Manhattan Madison Car $97.50, MintLionel #19018 Lionel Lines Sager Plane observation $114.50, MintLionel 16750 Lionel City Aquarium Car $35.00 MintLionel # 16125 Virginian Stock Car $23.50 MintLionel 19822 Pork Dispatch Car $43.00 MintPlasticville Apartment Building New edition $21.50Lionel #16939 Boat Car $32.50Lionel#16368 KATY Oxygen Car $24.00,Lionel 18411 Canadian Pacific Fire Car $92.50 Mint/NewLionel #18430 NYC Crew Car $33.50 New,Lionel#18423 On-Track Step Van $31.50 New,Lionel#16690 Bugs Bunny and Yosemite Outlaw Car $35.00 new,Lionel #16666 Toxic Waste $34.50 new,Lionel #19536 Soo Line REA refridgerator Car $34.50Lionel #19319 Union Pacific Hopper $23.50Lionel #16235 REA Reefer $24.50 new,Lionel #19540 Broken Arrow Ranch Stock Car $31.50,Lionel #19420 Lionel Lines Vat Car $26.50,Lionel#16131 Texas and Pacific Reefer $24.oo,Lionel#16133 Santa Fe Reefer $27.50,We also carry USA,Atlas,Micro-trains,Marklin and many other trains and supplies,We Buy Toys, Trains,Slot Cars, Call 610-440-0487Consignments Accepted , Display cases for rent for dealersMall Info http://www.merchantssquaremall.comAlso Dont missThe Great Lehigh Valley Train Meethttp://www.valleygoto.com

Lionel Train Store Allentown Pa

2009-10-15T10:40:00.001-07:00

Valley Rail Trains
Merchants Sqaure Mall
1901 S 12th st
Allentown Pa 18103
Open Fri 12-9 Sat 10-7 and Sunday 10-5
610-440-0487
http:www.mosttrains.com
http://www.valleygoto.com
Allentowns Discount Train Store.
We carry everything new and old. Watch for many items coming . We have the largest selection of Vintage trains in stock in the area. 100,s of items in stock and more coming every week.
Coming in this week.
Vintage Lionel Trains
Lionel #3472 Milk Car $32.50
Lionel #3456 N+W Hopper New Body /Repaint $60.00
Lionel #6656 Yellow Stock Car $24.50
Lionel #6111/6121 Dark Gray Flat/Rpro Pipes Decals Included $17.50
Lionel #2461 Transformer Repro Insulation/Bake wheel $65.00
Lionel #6465 Orange LL Tank $20.00
Lionel #6465 Green Cities Service Tank $18.50
Lionel #5364-17 Pa Caboose Lighted $45.00
Lionel #64273 Lionel Lines Port Hole Caboose $27.50
Lionel #6111/6121 Lionel Light Gray Flat Repro pipes $17.50
Marx M10005 engine $32.50
Lionel #8556 Chessie Switcher O/B $195.00
Lionel#2465 Sunoco tank 1946-1948 $24.50
Lionel # 2466T Tender $18.50
Lionel Jersey Central tender
Lionel Prewar #3651 Flat $45.00
Lionel Prewar # 529/529/530 Set of 3 Small Passenger Cars Orange $89.50 all 3
Lionel #807 restored red caboose $27.50
Lionel #6800 Flat and Repalcement Plane $65.00
Lionel # 3927 Track Cleaner- Repalcement tanks $95.00
Lionel Lot of Super O Track 10 straight sections Cleaned with pins and Connectors $42.50
Lionel Lot of Super O Track 10 Curved Sections with pins and connectors #32.50
MANY MORE ITEMS COMING THIS IS ONLY A PARTIAL LIST
WE BUY AND SELL TOYS,TRAINS,SLOT CARS
Lionel # 260 Super O Bumper O/B $22.50
Lionel # 38-85 Accessory Adaptor O/B $25.00
Lionel #36 Remote Control Set O/B $22.50
Lionel #120 90 Degree Crossing O/B $15.00
Lionel #1122-500 O-27 Switch adapters $3.50 each
Lionel #9528 Pa Campaign Car Truman O/B $100.00
Lionel # 140 Banjo Signal O/B $34.50
Lionel #2620 Prewar Red Searchlight Car $115.00
Lionel Prewar #2757 Prewar Pa Cabose $42.00
Lionel # 2757 Prewar Baby Ruth Box car maroon Roof $27.50
Lionel Prewar # 1680 Orange Shell Tank $27.50
Lionel Prewar # 2652 Orange Gondola $45.00
Lionel Prewar #150 Electric ( Restored Maroon) $125.00
We Will Ship please call 610-440-0487 for picture and info

New Train Store Opens

2009-10-06T08:09:00.000-07:00

Valley Rail Discount Trains
Now Open.
Merchants Square Mall
1901 S 12th st
Allentown Pa 18103

Easy access from I-78 and Pa Turnpike,

Visit the Lehigh Valleys only Vintage Train Store. We have the best selection of Vintage Lionel, American Flyer, Marx, Repair parts, and more. We have new items coming in every week. Large selection of Repair parts and Repair Services. We are also a full service Model train store with all the new items you would expect. All gauges from Z to G gauge. Scenery,Track, Atlas,Micro-trains, Marklin,USA Trains, Athern, We offer the best prices all are items start at 20% off retail. Lots of specials up to 50% of retail. We wont be beat on price and service.

Open Friday 12am-9pm
Saturday 10am-7pm
Sunday 10am-5pm

Call 610-440-0487
http://www.mosttrains.com
http://www.lehighvalleytrainmeet.com
We Buy Trains and Collections. Have a large collection to sell consignments accepted only %10 fee of what sells.

The Start of Gilbert American Flyer

2008-07-18T08:10:00.001-07:00

The Chicago era, 1907-1938
Although best remembered for the S gauge trains of the 1950s that it made as a division of the A. C. Gilbert Company, American Flyer was initially an independent company whose origins date back nearly a half century earlier. Chicago, Illinois-based toymaker William Frederick Hafner developed a clockwork motor for toy cars in 1901 while working for a company called Toy Auto Company. According to the recollections of William Hafner's son, John, he had developed a clockwork train running on O gauge track by 1905.

Hafner's friend, William Ogden Coleman, gained control of the Edmonds-Metzel Hardware Company, a struggling hardware manufacturer in Chicago, in 1906 or 1907. Hafner and Coleman began producing toy trains using Edmonds-Metzel's excess manufacturing capability after Hafner was able to secure $15,000 worth of orders. By 1907, two American retailers, G. Sommers & Co. and Montgomery Ward, were selling Edmonds-Metzel trains. In 1908, Edmonds-Metzel adopted the American Flyer brand name for the trains, and by 1910, Edmonds-Metzel was out of the hardware business and changed its name to American Flyer Manufacturing Company.

Initially American Flyer -- aka "Chicago Flyer" -- was something of a budget brand, undercutting the prices of Ives, which was at the time the market leader. The trains proved popular, and American Flyer was soon expanding its product line. However, the company's rapid growth led to strains in the relationship between Hafner and Coleman.

In 1913, Hafner left the company. Believing he would be given a significant portion of the company if the trains proved successful, Coleman refused when Hafner asked to exercise this option. Hafner started the Hafner Manufacturing Company, which sold a line of trains called Overland Flyer. Sommers immediately stopped carrying the American Flyer trains in favor of Hafner's brand. Initially, the Hafner and American Flyer product lines were very similar, suggesting they may have been built using the same tooling. This suggests the possibility of the two companies continuing to collaborate. Hafner's business survived as a manufacturer of clockwork trains until 1951, when he sold his business to All Metal Products Company.

American Flyer's business grew during World War I, which locked out the German manufacturers that had dominated the U.S. toy train market to that point. During this time, American Flyer also introduced bicycle and motorcycle toys, segmented its market by creating both a low-priced and a high-priced line, and began to depart from its earlier designs by William Hafner.

In 1918, American Flyer introduced its first electric train, an O gauge model that was simply a windup model with an electric motor in place of the clockwork motor. This was a common practice at the time. The same year, William Coleman died and his son, William Ogden Coleman, Jr., took over the company. At that time the factory and administrative offices of the American Flyer Manufacturing Co. were located at 2219-2239 South Halsted Street in Chicago. The factory had its own railroad sidings and dock so cars could be slid inside the building for unloading/loading.

In 1925, American Flyer began offering Wide gauge electric trains at a premium price, attempting to compete with Lionel Corporation at the high end of the market. Like most of its competition, American Flyer did well in the 1920s, selling more than half a million trains in its best years, but suffered in the Great Depression, during which the company's focus shifted back to the more economical O gauge trains.

In 1928, American Flyer's competitor Ives went bankrupt. American Flyer and Lionel jointly purchased and operated Ives until 1930, when American Flyer sold its share to Lionel. During this time of joint operation, American Flyer supplied Ives with car bodies and other parts.

During the early 1930s, American Flyer struggled under increased competition, especially at the low end of the market. In 1931, Flyer announced it would not produce an electric train set to sell for less than $4 like its competition had. However, within three months, it relented and released a train without transformer that sold for $3.95, and in 1932, it released a set with transformer that retailed for $3.50. Sales increased, but the company was not profitable. Expansion into other toy arenas also failed.