American Flyer Trains were manufactured by the American Flyer Manufacturing Company in Chicago, Illinois. The company began with clockwork (mechanical) trains, in Wide (Standard) Gauge and 0 Gauge. The company was purchased, in 1938, by A C Gilbert of Erector Sets fame. A C Gilbert continued the 0 gauge line until WWII, after which American Flyer was relaunched in S Gauge, with two rail track. The company also offered a range of H0 trains. Circa 1929-34, American Flyer manufactured 0 and Wide Gauge trains exclusively for department store J C Penney, the trains being marked Nation Wide Lines. American Flyer also used the names Empire Express and Hummer.
The American Flyer name was subsequently purchased by Lionel, who continue to offer S Gauge trains, for two rail track.
American Flyer may be divided into three distinct eras, Pre War, Post War and Modern. Pre war, Flyer trains were 0 gauge and larger, whereas post war they were S gauge only. Modern era American Flyer trains (made by Lionel), are S gauge. This site is concerned only with Pre War 0 gauge, although it should be noted that later (1938-42) 0 gauge trains were closer to S (3/16th) scale.
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