Passenger Cars: Doors: 2 Windows: 16 - Heavyweight Coach

Prototype Info

Era:

heavyweight

Car Type:

coach

Doors:

2

Windows:

16

Road Name:

fantasy: American Flyer Circus

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

A.C. Gilbert

Manufacturer ID:

649

Gauge:

AF

Introduced:

1950

Product Type:

plastic

Finish:

painted & lettered

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF

Lighted:

no

This is an example of variation #6, which has the sheet-metal frame and unpainted (molded in) yellow body.

Prototype Info

Era:

heavyweight

Car Type:

coach

Doors:

2

Windows:

16

Road Name:

fantasy: American Flyer Lines

Road Number(s):

655

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

A.C. Gilbert

Manufacturer ID:

655

Gauge:

AF

Introduced:

1946

Product Type:

plastic

Finish:

painted & lettered

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF

Lighted:

no

Online Article:

Has Photos

Supplemental Part:

Reproduction Silhouettes

Supplemental Part:

Replacement Steps

Notes:

This version was available in tuscan-red/maroon and red. These cars had no steps at the bottom of the doors.

Prototype Info

Era:

heavyweight

Car Type:

coach

Doors:

2

Windows:

16

Road Name:

fantasy: American Flyer Lines

Road Number(s):

655

Car Name:

Silver Bullet

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

A.C. Gilbert

Manufacturer ID:

655

Gauge:

AF

Introduced:

1946

Product Type:

plastic

Finish:

painted & lettered

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF

Lighted:

no

Online Article:

Has Photos

Supplemental Part:

Reproduction Silhouettes

Supplemental Part:

Replacement Steps

Notes:

This version was available in satin finish and chrome finish . These cars had no steps at the bottom of the doors.

The car is shown with the A.C. Gilbert Window Washing accessory

Prototype Info

Era:

heavyweight

Car Type:

coach

Doors:

2

Windows:

16

Year:

1935

Road Name:

Milwaukee Road (MILW)

Ext. Reference:

visit site

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

Cleveland Model & Supply

Manufacturer ID:

RS-3

Gauge:

S

Introduced:

1937

Product Type:

wood & cardstock kit

Finish:

painted & lettered

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

custom

Lighted:

no

Notes:

Hiawatha-themed style.

A scan from their 1937 advertisements.

The entire train running on a layout

Prototype Info

Era:

heavyweight

Car Type:

coach

Doors:

2

Windows:

16

Road Name:

New York, New Haven & Hartford (NH)

Road Number(s):

650

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

A.C. Gilbert

Manufacturer ID:

650

Gauge:

AF

Introduced:

1946

Product Type:

plastic

Finish:

painted & lettered

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF

Lighted:

yes

Product Notes:

view page

Supplemental Part:

Replacement Steps

Notes:

These cars were produced through 1953. They went through several generations of changes during their seven-year run. In the photo are examples of an unlighted green, and a 1946 lighted red car with silver lettering. In 1946 some materials were still in short supply, such as light assemblies, so Gilbert was forced to manufacture certain passenger cars and cabooses that were planned to be lighted as unlighted items. The box these items came in typically had the part number stamped on the end flap followed by "NL" indicating "no light" (e.g. "650NL"). Since the green passenger cars were offered as part of the lower priced sets, many of these cars came without lights, as was the case for some of the 1946 cabooses. The other issue with nearly all of the 1946 plastic cars is that they warp as can be seen in the photo. The warping was because of the new acetate plastic used at that time which was unstable. Gilbert tried to compensate or solve the warping issue by changing the frame material on the #650 cars thus creating several variations. In 1947, the red coaches were given diecast frames. Starting in 1948, the green coaches were also given the diecast frames. Starting in 1949, Gilbert also used sheet metal frames on some of the coaches of both colors.

Prototype Info

Era:

heavyweight

Car Type:

coach

Doors:

2

Windows:

16

Road Name:

New York, New Haven & Hartford (NH)

Road Number(s):

735

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

A.C. Gilbert

Manufacturer ID:

735

Gauge:

AF

Introduced:

1952

Product Type:

plastic

Finish:

painted & lettered

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF

Lighted:

no

Online Article:

Has Photos

Notes:

This operating car (passengers enter and exit) was produced through 1954 and was designed to be used with the #766 Animated Station accessory. The model has a red body.