A Liitle More History American Flyer Trains, were manufactured by the American Flyer Manufacturing Co. in Chicago, IL. They manufactured Clock Work trains and later Wide Gauge and "O" Gauge Electric Trains. In the late 1930's the American Flyer line was bought by The A.C. Gilbert, Co. of New Haven Connecticut, headed by A.C. Gilbert the inventor of GILBERT ERECTOR SETSand many other toys. Gilbert had already begun the manufacture of an HO line of trains. At the end of World War 2, Gilbert resumed train and toy production, but introduced a new gauge, "S" Gauge. Scaled to 3/16 to the inch and running on two rail track. Gilbert also producedGILBERT AUTO-RAMA Racing setsin the 1960's and was the first to introduce the AMERICAN FLYER TRAINS ALL ABOARD Complete Railroading System. The A.C. Gilbert, Co., acquired by The Wrather, Corp., in the early 60's, was closed in 1966. The American Flyer name, along with all the tools and dies, were sold to the Lionel Corp. Gilbert also made the famousGILBERT ERECTOR SETS and many other GILBERT TOYS. They made science, chemistry, physics and microscope sets. Some of the first items Gilbert made were their Mysto Magic Sets. Gilbert Polar Cub small electrical appliances were years ahead of their time. Many of these items are pictured in our AMERICAN FLYER TRAINS S Gauge GILBERT AMERICAN FLYER HO TRAINS PHOTO GALLERYand ourAMERICAN FLYER TRAINS S GILBERT and HO COMPLETE CATALOG SCANS There was also a vast amount of literature produced by the company, this included books, instruction manuals, catalogs and magazine ads, much of which is included here or in our Literature Section. The book, "The Man Who Lives in Paradise", is A.C. Gilberts' autobiography.
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