1956 Diesel Locomotives by A.C. Gilbert
Model Manufacturer Info
Manufacturer:
A.C. Gilbert
Manufacturer ID:
355
Prototype Info
Category:
DS-4-4-660
Year/Era:
1946
Manufacturer:
Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton (BLH)
Dimensions:
46'6"
Weight:
196,600lbs
Road Name:
Chicago & North Western (CNW)
Ext. Reference:
Ext. Reference:
Model Info
Gauge:
AF
Introduced:
1956
Road Number:
355
Product Type:
Plastic
Finish:
painted & lettered
Wheels:
hi-rail
Couplers:
AF
Online Article:
Online Article:
Online Article:
(image copyright © Alan Evans; used by permission)
Running the engine on a floor layout.
Precision Flyer Repairs test-runs this engine after doing some repair work.
Doing a full-service repair on this engine.
The model has been restored and customized.
Running the engine on a home layout.
Tim opens the box on his new acquisition.
Model Manufacturer Info
Manufacturer:
A.C. Gilbert
Manufacturer ID:
21801
Additional IDs:
21801-1 (non-powered)
Prototype Info
Category:
DS-4-4-660
Year/Era:
1946
Manufacturer:
Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton (BLH)
Dimensions:
46'6"
Weight:
196,600lbs
Road Name:
Chicago & North Western (CNW)
Ext. Reference:
Ext. Reference:
Model Info
Gauge:
AF
Introduced:
1956
Road Number:
21801
Product Type:
Plastic
Finish:
painted & lettered
Wheels:
hi-rail
Couplers:
AF
Online Article:
Online Article:
Online Article:
Rebuild (part 1 of 5)
Rebuild (part 2 of 5)
Rebuild (part 3 of 5)
Rebuild (part 4 of 5)
Rebuild (part 5 of 5)
Model Manufacturer Info
Manufacturer:
A.C. Gilbert
Manufacturer ID:
377
Prototype Info
Category:
GP7
Year/Era:
1949
Manufacturer:
Electro-Motive Division (EMD)
Road Name:
fantasy: American Flyer
Model Info
Gauge:
AF
Introduced:
1956
Road Number:
377, 378
Product Type:
(unknown)
Finish:
painted & lettered
Wheels:
hi-rail
Couplers:
AF
Online Article:
Online Article:
Supplemental Part:
Supplemental Part:
Supplemental Part:
Supplemental Part:
Notes:
#377 and #378 had the same paint scheme as #375. A single motor in one unit, and horn and roar sound in the other unit.
Model Manufacturer Info
Manufacturer:
A.C. Gilbert
Manufacturer ID:
472
Prototype Info
Category:
PA-1
Year/Era:
1946
Manufacturer:
American Locomotive Company (Alco)
Road Name:
Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe (ATSF)
Model Info
Gauge:
AF
Introduced:
1956
Road Number:
472
Product Type:
Metal
Finish:
painted & lettered
Wheels:
hi-rail
Couplers:
AF
Online Article:
Online Article:
Supplemental Part:
Supplemental Part:
Notes:
PA unit by itself.
Servicing this model (part 1 of 2), by Neil Ferris.
Servicing this model (part 2 of 2), by Neil Ferris.
Model Manufacturer Info
Manufacturer:
A.C. Gilbert
Manufacturer ID:
4856
Prototype Info
Category:
PA-1
Year/Era:
1946
Manufacturer:
American Locomotive Company (Alco)
Road Name:
Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe (ATSF)
Model Info
Gauge:
AF
Introduced:
1956
Road Number:
484, 485, 486
Product Type:
Metal
Finish:
painted & lettered
Wheels:
hi-rail
Couplers:
AF
Online Article:
Online Article:
Supplemental Part:
Supplemental Part:
Notes:
Produced through 1957. Only #484 was powered. The body is painted yellow, blue, with a black roof.
Model Manufacturer Info
Manufacturer:
A.C. Gilbert
Manufacturer ID:
48456
Additional IDs:
21910, 21720, 21929, 20380
Prototype Info
Category:
PA-1
Year/Era:
1946
Manufacturer:
American Locomotive Company (Alco)
Road Name:
Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe (ATSF)
Model Info
Gauge:
AF
Introduced:
1956
Road Number:
484, 485, 486
Product Type:
Metal
Finish:
painted & lettered
Wheels:
hi-rail
Couplers:
AF
Online Article:
Online Article:
Supplemental Part:
Supplemental Part:
Notes:
This is an PA-PB-PA set. For two years A.C. Gilbert made this version of the PA in the Santa Fe "Freight" paint scheme. The locomotive features twin motors in the 484, "diesel roar" and "air chime" whistle in the non-powered 485 B-unit, and a headlight in the 486 non-powered A-unit. All three units have knuckle couplers front and rear. Variations: metal steps held on by two rivets or one eyelet. This same locomotive set came in late 1957 and 1958 as a five-digit numbered engine: ID #21910, road numbers: 21910 (A-unit with twin motors), 21910-1 (B-unit with horn and roar), and 21910-2 (non-powered A-unit). A separate B-unit was made. #21720 with horn and roar, very uncommon and sometimes found in a box marked 21910-1. In 1960 apparently some left-over 484 and 486 A-A locomotives (no B unit) were sold as ID #21929 (uncataloged engine). #20380 was a three-unit set sold in 1956 and 1957.
(image copyright © David Dewey; used by permission)
The engines running on a temporary floor set-up.
Servicing this model (part 1 of 2), by Neil Ferris.
Servicing this model (part 2 of 2), by Neil Ferris.
Restoring a Set of the 5-digit Version (part 1 of 2)
Restoring a Set of the 5-digit Version (part 2 of 2)
Model Manufacturer Info
Manufacturer:
A.C. Gilbert
Manufacturer ID:
481
Prototype Info
Category:
PA-1
Year/Era:
1946
Manufacturer:
American Locomotive Company (Alco)
Road Name:
fantasy: American Flyer
Model Info
Gauge:
AF
Introduced:
1956
Road Number:
481
Product Type:
Metal
Finish:
painted & lettered
Wheels:
hi-rail
Couplers:
AF
Online Article:
Online Article:
Online Article:
Supplemental Part:
Supplemental Part:
Notes:
"Silver Flash".
Doing some maintenance work
Servicing this model (part 1 of 2)
Servicing this model (part 2 of 2)
Model Manufacturer Info
Manufacturer:
A.C. Gilbert
Manufacturer ID:
4945
Additional IDs:
497, 21561
Prototype Info
Category:
PA-1
Year/Era:
1946
Manufacturer:
American Locomotive Company (Alco)
Road Name:
New York, New Haven & Hartford (NH)
Model Info
Gauge:
AF
Introduced:
1956
Road Number:
495, 494, 496, 497
Product Type:
Metal
Finish:
painted & lettered
Wheels:
hi-rail
Couplers:
AF
Online Article:
Online Article:
Supplemental Part:
Supplemental Part:
Notes:
The 495 came as the 4945, a set of two A-units with numbers 494 and 495. 494 has dual motors. 495 has diesel roar and horn sound in it without a motor. In 1957 a single PA with a single motor was cataloged as 497 and as 21561 (uncataloged). Late in production it also came with the molded on steps. The model shown in the photo is of a 495 with a single motor, and it was likely made up from left-over shells at the factory, or had a replacement shell put on it by a repair station.
(image copyright © Ron Kemp; used by permission)
(image copyright © Austin Birkey; used by permission)
The engines are pulling a colorful Christmas-themed passenger train.
Servicing this model (part 1 of 2), by Neil Ferris.
Servicing this model (part 2 of 2), by Neil Ferris.
Model Manufacturer Info
Manufacturer:
A.C. Gilbert
Manufacturer ID:
4913
Additional IDs:
21916
Prototype Info
Category:
PA-1
Year/Era:
1946
Manufacturer:
American Locomotive Company (Alco)
Road Name:
Northern Pacific (NP)
Model Info
Gauge:
AF
Introduced:
1956
Road Number:
490, 491, 492
Product Type:
Metal
Finish:
painted & lettered
Wheels:
hi-rail
Couplers:
AF
Online Article:
Online Article:
Supplemental Part:
Supplemental Part:
Notes:
This is an A-B-A set, which was produced through 1957. Only #490 was powered.
(image copyright © Austin Birkey; used by permission)
Servicing this model (part 1 of 2), by Neil Ferris.
Servicing this model (part 2 of 2), by Neil Ferris.
Repairing and correcting two of these.