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| A collection of historical photographs and memorabilia, with an emphasis on the classic Gilbert American Flyer display Layouts |
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"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
