American Flyer - Vintage 1950s

Lot AF08

Offered here is a colorful and whimsical vintage American Flyer Circus Train Set, manufactured by the A.C. Gilbert Company in the early 1950s. This is a complete or near-complete version of the famous “World’s Greatest Show” set, featuring a red streamlined 353 steam engine and matching tender, vibrant yellow passenger coaches, and two circus flatcars hauling animal cages and trucks.

Each piece is marked "American Flyer Circus" and styled in bold colors with lithographed or printed circus-themed text and decoration. This is one of the most imaginative sets produced in the postwar era and remains a favorite among collectors.

Included in this listing:

• 🚂 American Flyer 353 Steam Locomotive – Red streamlined style with “American Flyer Circus” graphics (moderate to heavy paint wear)
• 🛢️ Matching Red Circus Tender – Metal with original “American Flyer Circus” decals (noticeable wear)
• 🚃 Three Yellow Circus Passenger Cars – Marked “World’s Greatest Show!!” (some aging to windows, good overall condition)
• 🚛 Two Yellow Circus Flatcars with Cages and Trucks – Features brightly colored animal cage wagons and vintage trucks (likely plastic, good color retention)

Condition Notes:
Locomotive and tender show moderate to heavy paint wear from use and age. Passenger cars are in fair to good vintage condition with intact windows and decals. Flatcars and circus wagons are vibrant and in very good condition with minor wear. Please see detailed photos for close-ups of paint condition and decals. One animal cage wagon has a broken roof.

Dimensions:
Each car is approximately 10" long. Engine + tender together measure about 15.5" long.

Lot AF07

Description:

This listing features a 7-piece vintage American Flyer S-Gauge freight collection, highlighted by the powerful 283 steam locomotive and matching tender. Includes five distinctive freight cars and a lighted billboard accessory, all manufactured by the A.C. Gilbert Company in the early 1950s.

A solid starter set or display-ready addition for serious American Flyer collectors, this group includes some of the more desirable rolling stock options of the postwar era—caboose, spotlight gondola, transformer load, and advertising billboard.

Included in This Lot:

1. 🚂 American Flyer 283 Steam Locomotive
• 4-6-2 Pacific-style black steam engine
• Connected to Chicago North Western Lines Tender
• Untested; good visual condition with some age wear
2. 🛤️ #938 Red Caboose
• Printed "American Flyer Lines", built date 6-51
• Excellent overall condition
3. 🚛 #934 Southern Pacific Floodlight Gondola
• Working spotlight (metal housing), manual mount
• Marked “Built 11-53,” excellent paint
4. 🪵 #945 Work Caboose with Log Load
• Rare “AMERICAN FLYER LINES” side text
• Cabin with brass railings and red stake load
5. ⚙️ #936 Reel Car ("Spool Car") with Cable Load
• Gray flatbed marked ERIE 7210 with factory yellow disc
6. 🏞️ American Flyer Billboard Accessory
• Electric plug-in backlit unit with classic Santa Fe ad
• Rare display piece, untested

🔎 Condition Notes:

• All pieces show typical vintage handling wear, but paint and lettering are strong overall.
• No major cracks, breaks, or heavy rust.
• Locomotive and spotlight gondola untested but appear complete.
• Great color retention on painted and lithographed surfaces.

••Ready for restoration, display, or operation on an S-gauge layout.