American Flyer S-Gauge Rarity Repros

A.C. Gilbert American Flyer S-Gauge Rarity Repaints

The Rarity Index used below is a scale from 0 to 9, with 0 as the most rare.

Only original A.C. Gilbert shells are used with trucks and couplers to match the originals as closely as possible. Paint and lettering are chemically removed from shells before painting, and pieces are painted in the color of issue. Lettering is computer-generated dry transfer accurately matched to the originals.

Shipping is $9.95

All items can be returned for refund or replacement within 15 days.

To ask questions or place orders contact: seg50@comcast.net

TLS Research

151 Ringneck Lane

Bloomingdale, IL 60108-5414

Telephone: 630-351-0991

At this time we cannot take on repairs or other custom painting. We can only provide the items listed below.

To BUY original American Flyer, click here!

To sell your American Flyer, click here!

#961 Jefferson Coach, $139
Never made by AC Gilbert for their Comet set. This item is made from your original AC Gilbert shell. We do not have a supply of 961 shells. Price includes $25 credit for your 661 or 961 plastic shell.

#24120 Red T & P Gondola, $99
This variation is listed in the Greenberg American Flyer Guides, as well as in Brubeck’s 2^nd edition of AF Price and Rarity Guide. Original was issued with Pikemaster trucks as pictured, but knuckle coupler trucks will be installed upon request.

#24326 Karo Syrup, $159
Originally made by AC Gilbert for their HO line in 1962-63, but never in S-gauge. The HO version is very rare and not often seen. As usual this item is made from an original AC Gilbert shell with a diecast frame and knuckle couplers. You’ve never seen this piece before in S-gauge!

#910 YG Gilbert Chemicals, $159
Isn’t this Cool?! Since Lionel has decided to issue a new paint scheme for this classic, we thought our scheme would have been a more attractive choice. As usual this item is made from an original AC Gilbert shell with a diecast frame and knuckle couplers. You’ve never seen this piece before!

#910 tan Gilbert Chemicals, $159
Rarity Index = 0. This was the forerunner of the mass-produced green & yellow version produced in 1954 by the A.C. Gilbert Co. The original was painted over a Celanese mock-up as shown in Greenberg's Guide to American Flyer S Gauge, Vol. II, p. 40 (1991). This piece features a diecast frame with knuckle couplers.

#12730 Celanese Chemicals, $159
Rarity Index = 0. Another forerunner of the #910 Gilbert Chemicals tank car from 1954. This is an accurate reproduction of the Gilbert AF Celanese tank car designed by Maury Romer. Only 3 are known to exist today, and two of those are over-painted as green #910 Gilbert Chemicals tank cars. This is probably the most famous AF piece never put into production by A.C. Gilbert. Our repaint differs significantly from the 1996 Lionel/AF item, since our Celanese uses a full shell on a diecast frame and not the split tank on a plastic frame. Furthermore, our paint scheme and lettering are true to the original. If you are a serious collector and want more than just an approximation of this famous piece, then our repaint is for you.

#625 orange SHELL tank car, $149
Rarity Index = 4. As with the Celanese tank car, Lionel in 1995 reissued this piece with the same number. However, their version uses the modern configuration of split body tanks on a plastic frame. In contrast, our 625 repaints use diecast frames with link couplers along with the early complete tank bodies as found on originals. You say that originals had a plastic frame, too? Well, yes, that's true, but there are reports that the last orange SHELL tank cars in 1946 used the diecast frame. The plastic frame was blamed for some of the unexpected warpage of the tanks in 1946 and was quickly discontinued. Our repaints feature an orange painted body with black ends and top. Our lettering is accurate and true to the originals. Accurate descriptions of the various orange 625s are in Heimburger's, A.C. Gilbert's Heritage, "The Tank Cars Debut in 1946," p. 74 and in D. Garrigues, B. Haugh, and G. Baloun (1997), "The AF Orange Shell Tank Cars," The Train Collectors Quarterly, 43(3): 18-19. The descriptions in Vol. I of the 1991 and 1997 Greenberg Guides to American Flyer S Gauge are inaccurate. If you don't have these articles, send us a SASE, and we'll send you copies.

#633(F) G. Fox & Co., $159
Rarity Index = 1. Manufactured in 1947 and one of the hardest to find AF S-gauge pieces. This boxcar features the diecast link coupler frame found only on the early boxcars. Ladders and grab irons are painted black. Brakewheel is set with a nickel-plated pin just like the original. Originals are almost always found with a "hump" in the center of the roof from slight warpage of the early plastics. Our repaints feature this hump unless you tell us otherwise.

#24067 Keystone Line, $159
Rarity Index = 2. Produced in 1960 for a Keystone Camera promotion. Repaint features orange painted shell, sliding doors, brakewheel, and knuckle couplers.

#24420 Simmons Reefer, $149
Rarity Index = 2. Produced in 1958 for a Simmons mattress promotion. Repaint features orange painted plug-door shell. Original was equipped with solid couplers, but operating knuckle couplers are now used on this piece. Add $5 if you want solid knuckle couplers.

#C1001 White's Boxcar, $149
Rarity Index = 2. Manufactured in 1962 as a promotion for White's Automotive Discount Centers. Repaint features a yellow painted plug-door shell with pikemaster couplers as found on the original. Knuckle couplers can be substituted upon request.

#24636 American Flyer Lines yellow & silver caboose, $109
Rarity Index = 2. This goofy piece was manufactured in the 1966 dark days of the floundering A.C. Gilbert Co. It incredibly features white lettering on a yellow body (sort of like the AF Santa Fe boxcar Lionel issued in 1997). However, today it is extremely rare and quite valuable. Repaint features an unlighted yellow painted body with a silver roof. Couplers are pikemaster like the original, but knuckle couplers can be substituted upon request.

#476 Rocket Alco PB unit, $229
Rarity Index = 0. Dark green, yellow and silver. 1955 production and similar situation as the Comet B unit. Looks great with the Rocket AA set and string of green-stripe 960-series passenger cars. Only the finished shell is included in the purchase price. You will have to supply your own frame and trucks. You can save money by sending us your shell for repainting.

#467 Comet Alco PB unit, $229
Rarity Index = 0. Blue, yellow and silver. An excellent compliment to the 466 A unit with trailing blue-stripe 960-series passenger cars. Very few were produced in 1955, and even fewer have survived until today. It was reported that this was the first toy train collector item to crack the $5,000 barrier many years ago. Although the originals used decaled lettering, our repaints use dry transfer lettering faithful to the original. Only the finished shell is included in the purchase price. You will have to supply your own frame and trucks. You can save money by sending us your shell for repainting.

#496 or #498 New Haven Alco PB unit, $179
Black, white and orange. Gilbert never produced a B unit for its #494/5, 497 and 21561 New Haven A units. Wouldn't this look great with them along with a string of orange-stripe 960-series passenger cars? Only the finished shell is included in the purchase price. You will have to supply your own frame and trucks. You can save money by sending us your shell for repainting.

CREDIT FOR YOUR STOCK (limit one per each item ordered)

We are always in need of Gilbert rolling stock for conversion to repros. We encourage you to send us your rolling stock; provided that all hardware is included (no missing trucks, doors, etc.), rust is not heavy (no pitting), and plastic defects are easily repairable (such as catwalk chips). More heavily damaged pieces or those with missing parts can be accepted at lower values. An allowance of $15 each will be made for:

# 633             LC       sliding door boxcar (flat roof), diecast frame
     937             KC      sliding door boxcar
   24030           PM      plug door boxcar
802/24403       KC      reefer
     625             LC       tank car (no warpage - unless you want one), diecast frame
     925             KC      tank car, diecast frame

661 / 961 passenger coach with both side metal number plates, $25 credit

The above numbers are used as examples only. Any piece with the same characteristics will be acceptable. Other AF S-gauge materials will also be considered in trade. Just let us know what you have to offer!

B units are difficult to obtain. We need long screw post white plastic B unit shells (dated after NOV 1951) or any black plastic shells, so a credit of $35 will be applied for each B unit sent for conversion to 467/476. Please note that the early B units made of white plastic with short screw posts are usually noticeably bowed downward toward the ends, so we can't use these (unless it's for your repaint). Send only good quality B unit shells without the frame/truck assembly.

Thanks for your interest, and we hope to hear from you soon.