The AF Commemorative Car Program

In 1981, and then from 1988 through 2019, the NASG produced an American Flyer Commemorative Car (or engine) each year, which were available for sale to NASG members only. These were limited-production collector cars, typically produced by Lionel. In 2019 the NASG BOT decided to end this program, and so the 2019 caboose is the final car under this program.

The purpose of this page is to list all the cars produced under this NASG program. To see which ones are still available for sale, see the Store page.

2019

This was the final car of this program. How appropriate that it is a caboose! This car was manufactured by Lionel. It has the road number 8119 (to indicate the first and last year of this program). The model has special markings, different on each side.

2018

Both the 2018 and 2017 cars were produced and released in 2017, manufactured by Lionel. The 2018 car wears road number #3618, for the 36th car in the series and the year 2018. The reporting mark WRNX is a prototype one owned by Warren Petroleum Corp that also owns Gulf Oil and Chevron USA. The single-dome tank car has a black body, offset by the red company logo and the white reporting mark, road number, and technical details on the car.

2017

The 2017 car's road number is WRNX #3617, for the 36th car in the series and the year 2017. This car was aso produced by Lionel. The black car body is offset by the yellow company logo and the white reporting mark, road number, and technical details on the car.

2016

The 2016 model has road number 3516, for the 35th car in the series and the year 2016. The car is a Lionel American Flyer Chicago & North Western flat car, that includes 18 pallets of plastic refractories as a load. Pallets are decorated for the Chicago-based Plibrico Co., which invented clay-based refractories around the turn of last century and was a major supplier of these materials. Pallets are scale, and additional sets are available, either decorated or undecorated.

2015

The NASG contracted with Lionel to produce a limited run of this BNSF box car.

2014

The NASG contracted with Lionel to produce a limited run of this Milwaukee box car.

2013

The NASG contracted with Lionel to produce a limited run (300 cars) of this 2013 American Flyer commemorative PP&L three-bay hopper with simulated coal load. The hopper is dark green with red and white graphics, and a black coal load. Headquartered in Allentown, PA, PP&L has been in existence since 1920, serving central and eastern Pennsylvania, as well as other states. Scranton, PA, was the location of the 2013 NASG National Convention. The car number is 3213 representing the 32nd car in the NASG series and the year 2013.

As a bit of history, after 25 years of handling this NASG AF Commemorative Car Project program, Doug Peck has handed over the reigns to Dave Blum. The 2013 car was Doug's last car. Thank you Doug!

2012

The NASG contracted with Lionel to produce a limited run (375 cars) of this 2012 American Flyer commemorative Marathon Motors box car. The box car is white with gold ends and doors, and a black roof. The Marathon Motors logo is gold, black, and silver. Marathon Motors was located in Nashville, TN, and the Auto Parts box car is lettered for the Nashville, Chattanooga, and St. Louis Railway. Chattanooga was the location of the 2012 NASG National Convention. The car number is 3112 representing the 31st car in the NASG series, and the year 2012.

2011

For the 30th car in the annual series, the NASG contracted with Lionel to produce a limited run (375 cars) of this 2011 American Flyer commemorative Dixie Honey tankcar. The car number is 3011 and the tank is deep blue with gold ends and dome, on a black frame. The Dixie Honey logo is red, white, and gold.

2010

The NASG contracted with Lionel to produce a limited run (500 cars) of this 2010 American Flyer commemorative Jenney Gasoline triple-dome tankcar. The car number is 2910 and the tank colors are white, orange, black, and red on a black frame.

2009

The NASG contracted with Lionel to produce a limited run (500 cars) of this 2009 American Flyer commemorative EJ&E black gondola with removable orange coil cover loads bearing multi-colored EJ&E logo. The car number is 2809.

2008

This very popular GE Baldwin switcher engine quickly sold all 300 produced. Manufactured by Lionel, and sold for $289. From the December 2012 issue of the NASG Dispatch, in an article written by Doug Peck, "The GE Work Train project concluded in 2008 with production of the Baldwin locomotive, numbered 2708, and with an SKU of 48270." Doug Peck covered more of the history on this project in the December 2012 issue of the NASG's The Dispatch.

2007

This is the matching GE boom car (left in the photo below) for the 2006 Brownhoist crane. From the December 2012 issue of the NASG Dispatch, in an article written by Doug Peck, "...was offered for $60 each, postpaid. The plastic frame was painted black, with a gray deck and a black toolbox, and black painted four-wheel knuckle coupler trucks. The car number 2607 appeared centered on each side of the frame, 'BUILT 2007 NASG' to the right, and car data to the left. Lionel's SKU for the boom car was 48264". Doug Peck covered more of the history on this project in the December 2012 issue of the NASG's The Dispatch.

2006

Continuing the theme of a GE work train, this Brownhoist crane was introduced this year. From the December 2012 issue of the NASG Dispatch, in an article written by Doug Peck, "The crane had a black diecast frame in the style of the Gilbert 944. Each end of the frame featured diagonal silver warning stripes. The cab was also painted black, with a green roof, and a green boom. It had the usual two cast hooks and counterweight. Like the first two cars, the six-wheel diecast knuckle coupler trucks had non-flanged wheels on the center axles. 2506 was the car number, with a Lionel SKU of 48250. 700 cranes were produced, and sold for $85 each, shipping included". Doug Peck covered more of the history on this project in the December 2012 issue of the NASG's The Dispatch.

2005

A diecast depressed-center flat car with generator and two diecast searchlights. The black flat car is lettered in white for General Electric. The car features diecast six-wheel freight trucks and operating knuckle couplers. Car number 2405 was manufactured by Lionel. Doug Peck covered more of the history on this project in the December 2012 issue of the NASG's The Dispatch.

2004 - GE Reel Car

From the December 2012 issue of the NASG Dispatch, in an article written by Doug Peck, "The 2004 GE reel car consisted of a black-painted diecast frame with two cast brake wheels, and white lettering. The reel faces were solid and painted a light olive-green with white lettering and the GE logo centered on the reel sides. The car was mounted on six-wheel trucks with standard AF operating knuckle couplers. The center axle of each truck had flangeless wheels, reminiscent of early Gilbert six-wheel passenger car trucks. Continuing past practice, the car number "2304" represented the 23rd car in the NASG commemorative car series, and the year 2004. The Lionel SKU, as indicated on the box, was 48238." The 2004- through 2008-year A.F. Commemorative projects build an entire GE work train. Doug Peck covered more of the history on this project in the December 2012 issue of the NASG's The Dispatch.

2003

The Union Pacific single-dome tank car has a chrome finish with a black base and frame. Print and decoration are black, red, white, yellow, and blue. The tank car features a chemical platform and ladders, die-cast freight trucks, and operating knuckle couplers. Car number is 2203. Manufactured by Lionel (#6-48233). Doug Peck covered more of the history on this project in the June 2011 issue of the NASG's The Dispatch.

2002

A Cook Paint & Varnish Company triple dome tank car, red with white print. The tank car features diecast freight trucks, and operating knuckle couplers. Manufactured by Lionel (#6-48228). Doug Peck covered more of the history on this project in the June 2011 issue of the NASG's The Dispatch.

2001

A single-dome Gulf Oil tank car, blue with white print, and orange and white logo. The tank car features top platform and ladders, diecast freight trucks, and operating knuckle couplers. Manufactured by Lionel (#6-48224); they produced 750 models. Doug Peck covered more of the history on this project in the October 2010 issue of the NASG's The Dispatch.

2000

The triple-dome Deep Rock tank car started a series of four tank cars. Seven hundred cars of this model were ordered from Lionel. Doug Peck covered more of the history on this project in the October 2010 issue of the NASG's The Dispatch.

1999

The 1999 car was our first caboose; a red painted illuminated Great Northern caboose, with black and white lettering and GN herald. The GN herald appears on the sides and ends of car. Manufactured by Lionel (#6-48214). Doug Peck covered more of the history on this project in the June 2010 issue of the NASG's The Dispatch.

1998

Manufactured by Lionel (#6-48211), which was the Magnolia tank car. Doug Peck covered more of the history on this project in the June 2010 issue of the NASG's The Dispatch.

1997

Manufactured by Lionel (#6-48205). The Pacific Fruit Express reefer road number was 1697, for the 16th car, produced in 1997. Doug Peck covered more of the history on this project in the June 2010 issue of the NASG's The Dispatch.

1996

Two cars were produced this year. Manufactured by Lionel (#6-52095). The Mobil tank car's road number is #1596.

Manufactured by Lionel (#6-52094). Ann Arbor hopper with cover wears road number #1496. Doug Peck covered the history on these cars in the February 2008 issue of the NASG's The Dispatch.

1995

Two cars were produced this year. Manufactured by Lionel (#6-48494). Lehigh Valley covered hopper's road number is #1295.

Manufactured by Lionel (#6-48493). Southern Pacific TTUX units with two trailers was #1195. Doug Peck covered the history on these cars in the February 2008 issue of the NASG's The Dispatch.

1994

Manufactured by Lionel (#6-48486). New York, New Haven & Hartford box car. Road number 1194

Manufactured by Lionel (#6-48485). Northern Pacific box car #1094. Doug Peck covered more of the history on these cars in the April 2008 issue of the NASG's The Dispatch.

1993

Manufactured by Lionel (#6-48804). Susquehanna box car, road number #993.

Manufactured by Lionel (#6-48481). The REA reefer wears road number #893. Doug Peck covered more of the history on these cars in the April 2008 issue of the NASG's The Dispatch.

1992

In 1992, we continued the decision to release two cars. Nickel Plate Road Flat Car with Trailer was an "experiment". Manufactured by Lionel (#6-48479). We chose to produce a Nickel Plate Road flat car with piggyback trailer. However, the only trailer load available through Lionel was oversized and top-heavy on a standard AF plastic flatcar! ERTL, however, agreed to do a custom-run of NKP 1:64-scale tractor-trailers for us, after we determined that an ERTL trailer could be mounted on the AF flat car using Lionel's standard fifth-wheel mount and wheel chock. However, the fly-in-the-ointment was that Lionel would not deal directly with ERTL to obtain the loads, nor would they agree to include them with the flat cars when they were assembled and delivered to us. Thus, we had to purchase the loads directly from ERTL, purchase the flat cars direct from Lionel, and then combine them ourselves for shipment to our members. The black flat cars are lettered in white, "NKP 20602" and "Nickel Plate Road" in old-style script. Car data and "BLT 1-92" also appeared on both sides of the car. The 7-1/2" long trailer represented an approximately 40' S-scale trailer. Made of dark blue plastic with opening rear doors, it was lettered "NICKEL PLATE ROAD HIGH SPEED FREIGHT SERVICE" in white, along both sides. It was accompanied by a 10-wheel dark blue International Navistar tractor with chrome trim, also lettered "Nickel Plate Road" on the cab doors. Unfortunately, this was not the tractor we had requested; it is more modern than we intended. But, once delivered, we opted not to return them for replacement, as it would have greatly delayed final delivery to members. Doug Peck covered more of the history on this project in the October 2007 issue of the NASG's The Dispatch.

Manufactured by Lionel (#6-48478).

1991

1991 marked a departure from the previous norm. This year, we opted to release two AF cars instead of one. This was because we tried to get a car to match the location of the annual NASG Convention's location, but that can restrict which road names we can use. So, the first one continues this tradition, but the second car has more "freedom".

The first car was the New York Central reefer, manufactured by Lionel (#6-48476). The NYMX #491 was an NYC Mechanical Refrigerator car with plug doors. The car featured yellow sides with a dark blue stripe across the middle, and silver roof and ends. Car data appeared in the lower left, as well as "1991 NASG COMMEMORATIVE CAR". Additional car data appeared in the lower right. The NYC logo was printed in the upper right, above the blue band. In the blue band, in white print, was "NYMX MECHANICAL 491 REFRIGERATOR".

The second car was the Boraxo covered hopper manufactured by Lionel (#6-48475), GACX #591. Painted dark gray, the large BORAXO red and white lettering and the red, white, and black image of the familiar Boraxo can were very eye-catching. Car data appeared in the lower left, and "1991 NASG COMMEMORATIVE CAR" was printed in the lower right. The new "Flyonel" diecast freight trucks were used on both of these cars, again. Doug Peck covered more of the history on this project in the October 2007 issue of the NASG's The Dispatch.

1990

This was a silver car on a black plastic frame. The PENNZOIL Co. logo appeared on the left side of center in red, yellow, and black. To the right of center was printed "OIL CITY, PA."; P.A.X. 390", and the car data. Centered underneath the ladder: "1990 NASG Commemorative Car". Handrails were silver, with black ladders. Each end of the car featured a marker board, with a brakewheel on one end. New this year were the diecast trucks; in 1990, Lionel scrapped the original Gilbert AF trucks and tooled new trucks with somewhat more detail. Naturally, many diehard Gilbert AF collectors were taken aback by these new trucks, which continue to be criticized to this day! The 1990 Pennzoil tank car carried the number "PAX 390", the "3" representing the third car produced exclusively for NASG, and "90" representing the year of production (1990). This was the start of the practice of numbering most of the NASG AF cars in this manner. Production was increased in 1990, as we ordered 900 tank cars, which sold for $29.95 each. Once again, the car proved very popular and sold out quickly. Manufactured by Lionel (#6-48472). Doug Peck covered more of the history on this project in the October 2007 issue of the NASG's The Dispatch.

1989

A colorful Missouri, Kansas, Texas (reporting mark MKT) "Edible Oil" chemical platform tank car, green with yellow and white print. The car number chosen was 120089, based upon a prototype car number and the year 1989. Manufactured by Lionel (#6-48471). 660 models were produced, and they all sold out quickly. Doug Peck covered more of the history on this project in the June 2007 issue of the NASG's The Dispatch.

1988 - Jersey Central Box Car

This was the official first car of the NASG American Flyer Commemorative Car project. The 1988 car was a Jersey Central Lines insulated box car (a box car shell with opening reefer doors), numbered 48470. The car sides are painted orange, and roof and ends are tuscan red. Lettering and decoration on the car is black, red, and white. Only 504 cars were produced, and they sold for $29.95 each (postpaid), to NASG members. Manufactured by Lionel (#6-48470).

As a bit of history, Don Thompson (of S-Helper Service) organized the production of this car by Lionel. Doug Peck handled the taking of orders, and Tom Hawley did the actual shipping of these cars. Doug Peck took over the whole project starting with the 1989 project. Don wrote a behind-the-scenes article about the whole experience in the October 1989 issue of the NASG's The Dispatch. Doug Peck covered more of the history on this project in the June 2007 issue of the NASG's The Dispatch.

1982-1987

No cars were produced (see notes below).

1981

In 1981, the NASG convention was hosted by Central New York S Gauge Association (CNYSGA) club. That year, CNYSGA contracted with Lionel to produce for them a unique American Flyer car decorated for the 1981 convention. This car was orange with black & white print and decoration. On the left side of the opening door, it was lettered: "21st National Convention, Syracuse, NY July, 1981, NASG, 0700". On the right-hand side is the NASG's logo.

Although this is listed as the first car, it wasn't really. This is because the CNYSGA club had to buy 2,000 of these cars to meet Lionel's minimum. Club member Walt Danylak, doing business as G&W Models, took a large number of them, stripped them, and repainted them for various road names. These were sold to his customers, and also became part of the 1983 and 1984 NASG Convention Car offerings. Doug Peck covered more of the history on this project in the June 2007 issue of the NASG's The Dispatch.