NASG Dispatch Articles by Bill Clark

2024 #3 May

16

Passenger Trains

The author describes how he models the "Wabash Blue Bird", a streamlined passenger train.

2013 #1 February

15

Model Railroad Clubs

This article covers the history of the club, the history of their layout, and includes a couple of photos. (related web page)

2024 #1 January

22

Model Railroad Manufacturers

With permission from Marilyn Heimburger, the author was able to reproduce the 1973 interview article as found in the S Gaugian magazine. Maury Romer was involved in both the American Flyer before A.C. Gilbert bought it, and the post-WWII era.

2023 #2 March

28

Freight Cars

The author notes that Lionel has produced locomotives that can be seen on today's real railroads, but they have not made any freight cars to match the era. This article covers some of the cars by other manufacturers he was able to find that might be possible to model modern railroads.

2023 #3 May

16

American Flyer

In his first column in the Dispatch, the author covers his locomotive test station that he built, which includes photos of it.

2023 #4 July

11

American Flyer

The author shares the reference materials he uses to help him diagnose problems with A.C. Gilbert equipment.

2023 #5 September

14

American Flyer

Working on A.C. Gilbert's 5-digit model ID steam engines.

2023 #6 November

16

Passenger Cars

Dealing with Lionel's Polar Express passenger cars' lighting issues.

2024 #1 January

13

Model Railroad Manufacturers

The author describes his process for doing maintenance and repair work on American Models locomotives.

2024 #2 March

13

American Flyer

Repair of the Air Chime Whistle Tube.

2024 #3 May

13

American Flyer

Restoring the Same the Semaphore Man animated accessory produced by A.C. Gilbert. Includes wiring diagram.

2024 #4 July

10

American Flyer

In this column, the author covers the two-step E unit as used by A.C. Gilbert. It includes a parts list, a diagram, and how to dissassemble and wire the unit.

2024 #5 September

11

Locomotives - 2-8-2

Getting a Lionel 2-8-2 Mikado to produce steam again. Includes two interior photos.

2024 #6 November

9

M.O.W. Equipment

The author takes a thorough look at A.C. Gilbert hand cars #740 and #742. Include a photo and a parts diagram.

2025 #1 January

10

American Flyer

The article covers cleaning white film from early American Flyer plastic models, cleaning cars and engines in general, cleaning reversing units and motors, replacing motor brushes and springs, repairing driver wheels, evaluating smoke units, lubricating gears, and how to remove paint from plastic A.F. models.

2025 #2 March

13

American Flyer

This column is about the A.C. Gilbert 4-4-0 Casey Jones locomotive, covering production runs, taking it apart, how the various runs differ, and possibilities for repair.

2025 #3 May

10

How to disassemble, clean, repair, and re-install an AF smoke unit. Has a side note on how to repair the HO-scale versions.

2024 #5 September

25

Locomotives - PA-1

Information about the prototype "Spirit of 1776" train and Lionel's American Flyer versions.

2023 #3 May

7

Model Railroad Magazines

Bill Clark introduces himself as he is now a new columnist for the Dispatch, covering how to repair and maintain old American Flyer products.