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TrainDR started as a father/son project as a way to find a joint project for us to work on. The site is focused on curating the wealth of train knowledge from Bill’s head through an organized approach. First we wanted to focus on bringing high quality content, diagrams, and historical information on American Flyer Trains. Long term we will cover Lionel and others. Next we wanted to provide amateurs and enthusiasts quality information, manuals, and reference materials for toy trains. With a great deal of this content complete, we are moving on to the next phase of the project.

 

Phase II of the project is to add a collecting functionality. For over 60 years Bill has struggled to organize, catalog, index, and track his collection. Our collection tracking tool is designed to make that much easier. Next we wanted to add a better train community auction site than the generic EBAY style sites. Finally, we wanted to begin taking various components of the site and turning them into educational books, videos, and repair tools so that we may inspire future generations of train collectors and record the history of what exists now.

GILBERT AMERICAN FLYER TRAINS

FROM THE BLOG

Why should we start a toy train blog?

My father has collected toy trains since he was a kid. That makes it over 60 years. He knows everything imaginable and has an amazing collection. This site attempts to develop a toy train community online by providing educational content,...

Top 4 differences between American Flyer trains and Lionel trains?

My father grew up on American Flyer trains and I grew up on Lionel trains. I remember distinctly some major differences and found the three rail aspect of Lionel trains always weird. That being said, here are the Top 4 differences between American Flyer trains and...

The Top 9 Types of American Flyer Freight Cars

American Flyer Freight Cars were produced from 1946 to 1966. During this 20 year span, approximately 200 different freight cars were produced.  A freight car is any type of train car that is used to haul goods or effectively all cars that DON'T haul passengers. There...

What is an American Flyer Rectiformer and a Rectifier?

The American Flyer Number 14 Electronic Rectiformer, Number 15 Directronic Rectifier and Number 16 Electronic Rectiformer were made in the late 1940’s and on into the 1950’s to provide DC power for the series of American Flyer DC steam locomotives produced in the same...

History of American Flyer Displays

American Flyer understood its market and the influence a visual and active display would have on the decision to purchase Gilbert American Flyer trains. Print advertising in consumer magazines and trade magazines was placed to excite the buyers and to encourage the...

What American Flyer Locomotive Service Manual Do I need?

So you have an old Gilbert American Flyer Train Engine that is broken or needs service. This page will provide you an index and links to the appropriate original service manual. The left column provides the original American Flyer Locomotive part number and the right column is the link to the manual itself.

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