American Flyer Trains

American flyer trains are not just for kids, if one gift can put a smile on a child’s or adults face its American flyer trains! We bet you can still vividly remember that Christmas morning when you ran downstairs to find that Santa Clause had left you the very best gift in the whole world. You probably spent the whole day and all of Christmas vacation playing with the train and any chance you got after that inviting friends over to play with it to. You may still even have that same exact train set up in the spare room for your children or grandchildren to play with until this day! We would also be willing to bet that you, yourself enjoy the time spend watching the train chug along the tracks maybe even adding a new caboose or a few accessories every now and then.

There is something magical and mystical about a train that draws you in and never lets you out. Once you get your first American flyer train there is just no letting go! Sure maybe you packed it up when you went off to college or stored it in the attic for a few months after you and the new spouse moved into your new home but the train is always near by just waiting for you to unpack it and set it up again.

There are so many wonderful things about American flyer trains aside from the obvious of course, the ability to continue adding to your train collection is almost as much fun as the first time you sat Indian style on the floor and watched it zoom around the tracks. Maybe you put off adding extra tracks due to a lack of room or maybe you always wanted the little train station but could never afford it.

American flyer trains are certainly a top of the line vintage (polite way of saying antique) trains for over a century people have been purchasing these trains and all the accessories they could get their hands on. Many people buy all the basics and add a part each year as a Christmas gift or even a birthday present. We would dare to say many people are still searching for the rare parts that were only sold for a year or two to complete their set.

Once a train lover always a train lover. The American flyer trains are one of the oldest and the best and trains you can invest in for yourself your child or even a grandchild. Just remember American flyer trains are not just for kids! Click here for more.

In 1939 Gilbert overhauled the American Flyer Train line which gave his trains a more realistic appearance than other O gauge trains, but when WWII broke out these trains were considered non essential and the factory was converted to use for the the war effort so until 1946 after the war was over and then they resumed making trains they started with the S gauge trains using leftover pre-war parts. These trains evolved through the 50’s when the introduction of the diesel trains came about. Train productions peaked in the mid 50’s but by the early 60’s began to decline in popularity.

Consumers began to buy from the discount stores rather than from toy stores and department stores. In 1966 Gilbert stopped making trains and that is when Lionel bought him out.

Production has continued on a limited basis with the manufacture of freight cars, passenger cars, diesel engines, and accessories. Also Mikes Train House has made reproductions of many of the American Flyer accessories.