I'm confused as to how American Flyer Frontiersman passenger sets were packaged when 3 cars were included. According to what I've seen and read, the early (1959) sets (20550 and 23099) only had 2 cars. A coupon from the catalog or from Post Cereals offered a "free" (247)30 baggage car. All of the 20550 sets I've seen have been packaged in the 19-1/4 inch high box (B2D709) with cutouts for only 2 cars, the locomotive, track, and transformer.
In 1960, the passenger set was cataloged as including 3 passenger cars. The 20551 "Sears" set is fairly common and includes 3 passenger cars in a taller, 21 inch box which allowed room for the boxed baggage car above the locomotive and 2 passenger cars in their cutouts. What I have not been able to track down is a 1960 version of the 20550 set with all 3 passenger cars in the set box. Since it's cataloged, I assume these sets exist. The Tufts book lists the 3-car 20550 set, but does not indicate what box it came in. The Joe Deger/Greenberg book mentions the 3 car sets but includes no pictures.
So, how was the 20550 set for 1960 packaged? Was there a box with cutouts for all 3 cars? Did it use the same B-2D782 box used for the 20551 set? I noticed that this same box (with a different insert) was used for the 20655 Frontiersman Freight set, though all the ones I've seen merely have a white paper label covering the label printed in the red circle on the end of the box.
I guess I have the same question about the 1960 version of the 23099 add-on set that supposedly also included 3 cars. My early set in a smallish B-2D726 box only has room for 2 cars. What box did the 3 car set come in?
I wonder why I never seem to see pictures of boxed sets of the 3-car 20550 and 23099 sets. Assuming they were produced as cataloged, somebody out there must have some examples. Somebody on this forum must have an example that they can post or document. As an aside, I'm looking for a nice example of the larger B-2D782 box for my 20551 set. I have an original with a so-so insert, but the lid is torn and seperated from the box bottom. I'd like to upgrade the box as it is the only one appropriate for my 20556 Truscott Assortment.
Let me know if someone can set me straight on this. Thanks in advance.
