UNBOXING A RARE AMERICAN FLYER TRAIN SET FOR CHRISTMAS!

It was my third Christmas and much to my joy and surprise I received a Lionel train set! Several decades have passed but the enthusiasm for model railroading has not waned. In this video, I will share with you the anticipation and joy in unboxing a rare American Flyer set! In the latter part of the video I will show the train set in action on an equally rare American Flyer All Aboard Westerner layout!

[@user-ez3rr4yj6i]

I always loved the box it came in.

[@8avexp]

Nice set! My parents got me a 20705 Pioneer Flyer set in 1961 for my fifth birthday, which I still have.

[@StatusGlobalAutodidact]

Don't sell the set! Thanks for the comment

[@8avexp]

@@StatusGlobalAutodidact Those sets, especially the 21165 Casey Jones loco that came with it, are a dime a dozen. That said, my 21165 is an early production loco; it's stamped March 1961 and its tender has a knuckle coupler.

[@garymcmanus7288]

I can't believe the condition of set and box! Thanks for sharing.

[@malcolmboynton7652]

WOW!!! a lot of us had af sets as kids. mine was different but same vintage. like most it got played to death and thrown away. NICE!

[@StatusFaction]

All I had was a black Lionel diesel and a year later a black 2-4-0 steam engine! I had no idea when young that locos came in anything but black! It wasn’t until late childhood when I got an HO diesel in blue that I realized engines could come in different colors! Thank you for watching the video and your comment!

[@jodysmith8048]

This set is very rare I've been looking for this set for years great score

[@StatusFaction]

Keep checking on eBay, I’ve seen these sets popping up occasionally!

[@karlreinke9653]

My grandparents lived in New Haven and my Grandpa was friends with The Gilbert family. My older brother had 1 of just about everything A.C. Gilbert made. His train set from the early 50s was beautiful!

[@StatusFaction]

Thank you for your comment! A.C. Gilbert was a remarkable man. I learned that he won a gold medal in the Olympics. He combined high quality with innovation in American Flyer trains, though after his death I think there was a decline in quality with the introduction of the Pikemaster line. Your brother was one lucky guy!

[@karlreinke9653]

@@StatusFaction as was I, I can’t even tell you how much fun it was to have a microscope,erector set,chemistry set to experiment with!

[@StatusFaction]

I agree! I had all three, though may favorite was the erector set. I loved making all sorts of things with it, including a monorail system that was part of what I called "The City of the Future," that I made for the NY Science fair in the 6th grade. Alas, on the way to the fair the person driving us went over a railroad crossing too fast and the whole layout went up in the air, hit the roof of the station wagon and then crashed down. I was unable to get it to work in time for the fair. My city of the future became a disaster of the past!@@karlreinke9653

[@karlreinke9653]

I totally forgot about the monorail . My set wasn’t big enough to b7ild one however.

[@donaldwiller9238]

Cool train 🚆

[@StatusFaction]

Yes, I did not know how good it was until I opened the box and checked it out. Thanks for the comment!

[@radarhec]

Nice stuff ! Your a good hunter , stay on track .

[@StatusFaction]

If I really want something, I check eBay daily. I've seen All Aboard sets on eBay since the 90s but the one you set in video is the first time I saw a complete Westerner set. And, the Civil War set was the first time I saw one in that condition at an incredible price - I got it for a tad over $200! Thanks for your comment!!!

[@plunkervillerr1529]

That`s a nice.

[@StatusFaction]

Yea, the set is a keeper! Thanks for the comment!

[@huntercoleman460]

Great find friend.

[@StatusFaction]

Sometimes one lucks out and finds a treasure when least expected. Thanks for the comment!

[@Cbtrainnut]

A beautiful set! Someday I might have one. Thanks for sharing the video! Enjoy and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

[@StatusFaction]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it! A blessed Christmas to you and yours!

[@ronalddevine9587]

Beautiful set, a lucky find. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

[@StatusFaction]

The set exceeded my expectations! I’ve had the converse experience, such as an American Models loco with no drive bar from the motor to the drivers; so, this was quite a blessing. Merry Christmas to you and yours!

[@radarhec]

Good deal !

[@StatusFaction]

Thank you for your comment!

[@paulbervid1610]

Great video

[@StatusFaction]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@TwistedMacGyversTrains]

WOW!!! I cannot believe the condition of that box and the trains. Congratulations that is truly a gem to be treasured.😊 Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family. 🎄🎄🚂🚃🚃

[@StatusFaction]

Thank you very much! Faint impressions on the box indicate the set belonged to a soldier or marines. It must have been stored during a move or deployment and then left in storage. Many blessings to you and yours this Christmas and New Year!

[@michaelgmoore5708]

No kid played with that set. I hope Lionel will produce that set just like Gilbert did in 1960. Lionel can add a headlight and a better motor nowadays. That Washington Engine was so beautiful! Hope to see a reproduction next year if Lionel gets enough orders!

[@StatusFaction]

@@michaelgmoore5708 Lionel has a nice pair of O scale Civil War sets and I saw an old time steam set on eBay recently; however, it would be something if Lionel redid the American Flyer set I showed! Imagine this set in a digital format with sound!

[@arthurleino]

Awesome video! Like American Flyer.

[@StatusFaction]

Thanks for the comment. American Flyer is a lot of fun!

[@gusshadleythelunaticfromar7125]

Like That Layout, I Have Never Seen One In Operation.

[@StatusFaction]

I found the All Aboard set on eBay. It's the biggest of the three Gilbert made, the "Westerner." There usually are some of the smallest sets (Pioneer 600) listed on eBay and, at times, the specialized panels, such as turnouts and, much rarer, the crossing panel and the whistle panel. I have a couple of other videos on this site that show the pros and cons of the All Aboard system and what to look for if purchasing. Thanks for your comment!

[@thatbois]

Woah that’s cool man! Great video!’

[@StatusFaction]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@jameshein-jo8je]

I also collect A.F. trains, you got a very nice one. Happy Holidays

[@StatusFaction]

Have a great new year! I don't have a whole lot but I really value what I have!

[@michaelgmoore5708]

That is the Civil war Special Freight set made in 1960 with KC. I want one but cannot afford it now. Çant remember the name of that set, It's not Frontiersman only!

[@StatusFaction]

Just keep checking eBay daily, especially on weekends. I found this one for a tad over $200 and could not believe my eyes! Thanks for your comment!

[@thekingsilverado3266]

We have my Dads Lionel 101 Steam Engine in O gauge and mine is HO. Every year my grand parents were so careful about putting that thing back in the box just the way it came. It is like that now behind me in the box with my set.

[@StatusFaction]

It's great to have parents and grandparents who teach us to treat what we have with care! I think that taking care of what we have carries over to how we treat people too.

[@robertmyers5269]

As I was watching the unboxing, I wondered if with she small locomotive and late production date, if thiis was All-Aboard compatible. It was a treat to see it on your AA layout. Are the curves AA radius? It is a really nice looking piece, and the condition is incredible. Have fun with iit

[@StatusFaction]

The All Aboard panels are 17 inch squares and the curve radius is a little tighter than the standard American Flyer track. I can run Pacific class steam engines on it but not the passenger cars that come with the newer Lionel American Flyer sets, such as the Blue Comet, or the American Models passenger sets. The coaches are too long to negotiate the curves. The civil was set runs well on the AA panels! Thanks for the comment!!!

[@8avexp]

Northerns cannot navigate Pike Master track, either.

[@StatusFaction]

Anything bigger than a Pacific class loco will probably not negotiate the curves. At least the Civil War set does!!!! Thanks for the reply!!

[@dancochrane5577]

Who wrote your dialogue? Inspired by ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas. Goofy.

[@StatusFaction]

I wrote it while going down the chimney! Ho, Ho, Ho!