While at one of the bandit meets at York, I picked up a boxed American Flyer Champion set. The set number is 977 TW, which is a number that I don't have information about.
The set of cars that came with the set are the same cars that are shown with Set 982, which shows a lithographed Hiawatha engine, tender, and 7 freight cars, including: Texaco tank, container car, log car, box car, Pennsylvania hopper, gondola, and caboose. This is the largest (counting number of cars only) set that American Flyer ever sold.
In examining the engine, I noted that it features extra weights, as compared to other similar engines. I then compared it to another set I have with 6 cars, and noted that the engine in that set also featured extra weights, but not as many as the engine in the set I just bought.
So here are some pictures showing the extra weight locations.
First note the screw in the middle of the back panel on the engine on the left. The engine on the right does not even feature the hole for this weight.
Second, note the screw in front of the forward sand dome on the engine at the rear of the photo. This slot is normally for the engine brake on windup versions. This screw holds a second weight in place.
Lastly, the screw in the front of the engine on the left, in the AF lettering. The hole is also present on the other engine, but no weight installed.
These weights combine to add 3 weights to the engine, which also has a weight mounted on the front of the motor itself.
Here is the set (pictured at the front)
Oddly, I noted that the engine in the set at the rear of the photo, also has extra weights. It has a weight riveted to the rear of the engine shell and a weight at the front of the engine shell. However, it did not have the weight at the top of the shell
Both sets run great and will be the layout runner for a while.
NWL
