A.C. Gilbert fantasy: American Flyer Depressed-center Flat Cars
Model Manufacturer Info
Manufacturer:
A.C. Gilbert
Manufacturer ID:
648
Prototype Info
Style:
depressed-center
Length:
56'
Road Name:
fantasy: American Flyer
Model Info
Gauge:
AF
Introduced:
1952
Road Number(s):
648
Product Type:
metal
Finish:
painted & lettered
Wheels:
hi-rail
Couplers:
AF
Online Article:
Online Article:
Notes:
This was a track-cleaning "Service Car". If you compare this car to #636, you'll notice that these use 4-wheel trucks, whereas #636 uses the prototypically-correct 6-wheel trucks. The space of the "missing" axle is taken by the track-cleaning rollers. These models were made through 1954. The leading wipers are saturated with the cleaning fluid (held in the tank "load"), and the trailing wipers dry the rails. A.C. Gilbert #27 Track Cleaner was the recommended product to use. This model used the link couplers.
(image copyright © Jim Hammond; used by permission)
(image copyright © A.C. Gilbert)