A.C. Gilbert fantasy: American Flyer Center-cupola Cabooses

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

A.C. Gilbert (click for web site)

Manufacturer ID:

638

Prototype Info

Style:

center-cupola

Body:

steel

Road Name:

fantasy: American Flyer

Model Info

Gauge:

Introduced:

1949

Road Number(s):

638

Product Type:

plastic

Finish:

painted & lettered

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

Magazine Article:

S Gaugian, Jul 2003 (prototype history plus model history; scale drawings)

Notes:

The #638 was produced from 1949 through 1952 in five red plastic and five red painted variations with the road name "AMERICAN FLYER". In 1953, the #638 was produced with the road name "AMERICAN FLYER LINES" in four variations. In the front row of the photo is an example of the red plastic model from 1949-52. The one on the left in the back row is a painted variation produced in 1949-52. The caboose on the right is an example of the version produced in 1953. Of the 14 variation, most of the differences in variations have to do with lettering style and body types. The 638 is very similar to 630, except for the road name.

Scan from the 1949 catalog, where #638 is first shown as part of the #4904T train set. The catalog does not show it as being separately available (only #630 appears separately available). The same is true for the 1950 through 1953 catalogs, where it appears as part of additional train sets.

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