A.C. Gilbert fantasy: American Flyer Wreck Crane Car MoW Cars

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

A.C. Gilbert

Manufacturer ID:

644

Prototype Info

Manufacturer:

Industrial Brownhoist

Style:

wreck crane car

Road Name:

fantasy: American Flyer

Notes:

John D. Atkinson has done extensive research into which prototype A.C. Gilbert may have used for their creation of this model. His conclusion is that it there were only 5 Type-Z wreckers rated at 250-ton lifting capacity built as new diesels between 1945 and 1948. Additional steam wreckers were created as well, but #644 was not a model of a steam wrecker converted to diesel. So, John's conclusion is that the diesel outline of the 644 wrecker does not appear to have been manufactured referencing any existing prototype wrecker placed in service on any real railroad. It seems the wrecker was developed using promotional materials from Industrial Brownhoist sales brochures, renderings from Operating Instructions and Parts Catalogs, and A.C. Gilbert's own artistic interpretation of the wrecker built by Industrial Brownhoist of Bay City, Michigan.

Model Info

Gauge:

Introduced:

1950

Road Number(s):

644

Product Type:

metal

Finish:

painted & lettered

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

Magazine Article:

S Gaugian, Nov 2006, pg 32

Magazine Article:

NASG Dispatch, Jan 2018, pg 12

Notes:

This car was produced through 1953 in 7 variations. The 1950 release featured a red unpainted cab, with either a black or green boom. Specifics about the other 5 variations are unknown at this time.

An example of variation #2.

Jack Sudimak's model which he turned into a PRR wreck crane. It uses brass 6-wheel Buckeye trucks and Kadee couplers.

The model works on Bob Werre's layout, replacing a broken uncoupler with a new one. The scene includes stabilizers to keep the car from tipping over when it swings the heavy load.