Tim’s Classic American Flyer Tinplate Layout
• Started construction June 2012
• The theme of the layout is a department store display layout of the 1950’s and 1960’s
• It is a tinplate layout for American Flyer S Gauge trains with all equipment belonging to the link coupler era of 1946 – 1952.
• The layout is 6’3” by 11’6” with a 36” by 48” L on the left. Along one wall is a 6” wide shelf that supports a passing siding which is connected back to the main layout section with a lift bridge. The construction is ¾” plywood on a framework of 2x4’s
• The power and control for the railroad is conventional AC power using toggle switches for block control. The layout is powered by two American Flyer 30B transformers that are each capable of producing 300 watts of power. One is used for train operation while the other is used for switches, accessories and structure lighting. The layout also has some automation capabilities that allows two trains to run alternately on the outside loop.
• The track plan consists of two interconnected loops of track. The outside loop is on level surface and connects to the passing siding on the shelf. The inner loop is an up and over folded figure 8. All the track is original Flyer sectional track and uses either original or reproduction rubber roadbed. There is approximately 144 feet of track in total.
• The trains are all original and operate as they did when originally manufactured. For directional control they utilize the original forward – neutral – reverse – neutral sequence reverse units.
• My rolling stock is a mixture of passenger and freight cars with a total number of 151 cars.
• The motive power is mostly steam and totals 42 locomotives. Between 1946 and 1952. AC Gilbert produced a total of 31 steam locomotives. Due to variations i.e. metal boiler and metal tender, metal boiler and plastic tender, etc. there were 81 total models with 31 unique engine numbers. Of 31 unique numbers, I currently own 30 in my collection. I also own one of every Atlantic Class (4-4-2) locomotives. There are also 3 diesel locomotives.
• Scenery is typical for a display layout using grass mat paper. Lichen trees and there are currently 12 classic Plasticville structures on the layout. There is also the obligatory large mountain carved from foamboard and two tunnels.
• The layout also has over 20 animated accessories ranging from a talking station, log loader, coaling station, crossing signals and billboard whistles.
Inside Loop:
/>
Outside Loop:
/>
Flyover:
/>
Operating Accessories:
/>
Enjoy, Bill
