1954 Steam Locomotives by A.C. Gilbert
Model Manufacturer Info
Manufacturer:
A.C. Gilbert
Manufacturer ID:
307
Additional IDs:
308
Prototype Info
Category:
4-4-0
Road Name:
Reading (RDG)
Model Info
Gauge:
AF
Introduced:
1954
Road Number:
307, 308
Product Type:
Die-cast
Finish:
painted & lettered
Power:
AC
Couplers:
AF
Online Article:
Online Article:
Notes:
The #307 was produced from 1954 through 1957 in four variations. The first variation produced and date-stamped "Feb 1954", has a four-position reverse unit, and four fabric covered wires from the plug into the locomotive. The second variation has a four-position reverse and four direct wires to the locomotive (shown in the photo; note that this model has lost the wheels that are part of the coupler and yoke assembly between the locomotive and tender). The third variation has a two-position reverse on the back of the locomotive. The fourth variation has a two-position reverse on the back of the locomotive, a black plastic drive two-wire plug to the tender and Pull-More traction drive wheels on front drivers complete with smoke and choo-choo that none of the other three variation have. In 1957, the #307 became the #21100, which came with and without smoke and choo-choo as an uncataloged item. Ted wonders, "Could it be that the fourth variation is actually #21100 with a #307 shell that was incorrectly assembled at the factory in late 1957?"
(image copyright © Ted Hamler; used by permission)
(image copyright © Jim Hammond; used by permission)
Fixing a Slow-running Engine
Model Manufacturer Info
Manufacturer:
A.C. Gilbert
Manufacturer ID:
303
Prototype Info
Category:
4-4-2
Road Name:
fantasy: American Flyer Lines
Model Info
Gauge:
AF
Introduced:
1954
Road Number:
303
Product Type:
Die-cast
Finish:
painted & lettered
Power:
AC
Couplers:
AF
Online Article:
Online Article:
Notes:
This engine was produced from 1954 through 1956 in only one variation. The tender has both the American Flyer Lines and the Reading Lines logos.
(image copyright © Ted Hamler; used by permission)
(image copyright © Jim Hammond; used by permission)
Carl Jaros is running this engine on a test loop.
How to disassemble, clean, and lubricate this locomotive.
The engine pulling a passenger train
Model Manufacturer Info
Manufacturer:
A.C. Gilbert
Manufacturer ID:
282
Additional IDs:
283, 285, 286, 287, 289
Prototype Info
Category:
4-6-2
Road Name:
fantasy: American Flyer Lines
Model Info
Gauge:
AF
Introduced:
1954
Road Number:
282, 283, 285, 286, 287, 289
Product Type:
Plastic
Finish:
painted & lettered
Power:
AC
Couplers:
AF
Magazine Article:
General Wiring
Online Article:
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(image copyright © Jim Hammond; used by permission)
(image copyright © Ted Hamler; used by permission)
(image copyright © Jim Hammond; used by permission)
Fred van der Lubbe Runs His Model on His Outdoor Layout
Repair of Model That Stopped Running
Comparing #285 and #295
Restoring This Model
An Engine on the Workbench
Surprise Under the Shell
Fixing a Barn Find
Model Manufacturer Info
Manufacturer:
A.C. Gilbert
Manufacturer ID:
293
Additional IDs:
296
Prototype Info
Category:
4-6-2
Road Name:
New York, New Haven & Hartford (NH)
Model Info
Gauge:
AF
Introduced:
1954
Road Number:
293, 296
Product Type:
Plastic
Finish:
painted & lettered
Power:
AC
Wheels:
hi-rail
Couplers:
AF
Online Article:
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(image copyright © Jim Hammond; used by permission)
Pulling a Colorful Christmas-themed Passenger Train
Running the Engine with a Green Passenger Train
Repairing a Non-running Model
Model Manufacturer Info
Manufacturer:
A.C. Gilbert
Manufacturer ID:
354
Prototype Info
Category:
4-6-2
Road Name:
Silver Bullet
Model Info
Gauge:
AF
Introduced:
1954
Road Number:
354
Product Type:
Die-cast
Finish:
painted & lettered
Power:
AC
Wheels:
hi-rail
Couplers:
AF
Online Article:
Online Article:
Notes:
The satin silver #354 was produced in 1954in only one variation. Unlike the #350 and #353, the locomotive body is made out of plastic while the tender is sheet metal. The #354 is equipped with knuckle couplers, an operating head light, smoke, and choo-choo.
(image copyright © Ted Hamler; used by permission)
Mike Marmer use the Soundtraxx Tsunami TSU-1000 decoder
Fred van der Lubbe running this engine on his outdoor layout
Model Manufacturer Info
Manufacturer:
A.C. Gilbert
Manufacturer ID:
356
Prototype Info
Category:
4-6-2
Road Name:
Silver Bullet
Model Info
Gauge:
AF
Introduced:
1954
Road Number:
356
Product Type:
Die-cast
Finish:
painted & lettered
Power:
AC
Wheels:
hi-rail
Couplers:
AF
Online Article:
Online Article:
Notes:
The #356 was produced in 1954 in 3 variations. The chrome of satin finish #356 is very similar to the #354 in that it has a plastic locomotive body and the tender is sheet metal. The #356 is also is equipped with an operating head light, smoke, and choo-choo. The three variations are as follows. The first has a chrome finish sheet-metal trucks and link couplers, as shown in the photo. The second has a chrome finish, Pull-Mor traction tire on the rear drivers, sintered-iron trucks, and knuckle couplers. The third, which is very rare, has a satin silver finish and link couplers.
(image copyright © Ted Hamler; used by permission)
(image copyright © Jim Hammond; used by permission)
Doing a Full Refresh of the Engine
Pulling a Passenger Train