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A collection of historical photographs and
memorabilia, with an emphasis on the classic Gilbert American Flyer
display Layouts |
"Without extended study we are only accumulators of pretty
items,
unfortunately missing half the fun of the hobby."
Frank C. Hare - Former Editor of The Collector and
the Train Collector's Quarterly |
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Welcome to American Flyer Displays & History
In the following pages, you will find one of the largest
collections of photographs and illustrations of the various American Flyer display
layouts built by the Gilbert company and its contractors.
Through the hundreds of pages on this website, we cover almost every
aspect of these layouts and displays. The
website focuses on the history
and art of the classic American Flyer display layouts in all their
forms, but we also include other items of historic interest. The historical information
on this website
is based on several years of research and the contributions of many
Gilbert collectors and scholars. To the best of my knowledge, the information is
accurate, but if you see what you believe to be errors, please
contact me so that corrections can be made. I am greatly
indebted to many Gilbert collectors for their generosity in sharing photos and information from their collections.
I hope it will be of help to you in your own "extended study" of the
trains we collect.
In this website you will find information on:
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The factory prepared layouts and displays that were sold to
dealers
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The custom department store layouts that delighted young and
old at Christmas time
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The layouts illustrated in various consumer catalogs,
whether they actually existed or not
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The store displays and layouts used in advertising of
Gilbert products
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The Boys' Railroad Club Layout, featured on the television
series
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The displays that were featured in movies and television
programs
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Gilbert's attempts to market ready made "layouts in a box"
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The large custom layouts created for the Gilbert Halls of
Science
Whether you want to relive the days when these layouts actually
existed, or want to recreate some of them, either in whole or in
part, I hope these web pages will be useful and enjoyable.
*Logo photo from Buckage Collection colorized by Daryl Olszeski
based on color photos which appeared in Classic Toy Trains in
January 2008, "Field Trip to Paradise"
Copyright © 2010 Clay Buckage - Copyright © 2013 Daryl Olszeski
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