@Don McErlean posted:Well fans of MWM my post today is about a train that is near its 100th anniversary. This American Flyer clockwork set dates to 1923 or 24. The set includes the engine, a Type XI , catalog number 16, clockwork locomotive and tender, a coach and a baggage car plus track. The railway, iaw our theme of Midwest Monday, is the Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul Railway although the coach is named "1206 Seattle 1206" under the window.
Here is the set as you might have opened it on Christmas nearly 100 years ago. Clockwork so no "dangerous" electricity to worry Mom and confound Dad! As I obtained it, the set only had straight track, which is unlikely to be original as almost all sets came with a loop. It had quite a bit of straight but no curved, so somewhere in the last century, it has lost some track.
Here is the full consist. Note that the key is permanent so it can't get lost (thank goodness). Your question might be...does it work? The answer is Yes...sort of. Unlike some of my much more sophisticated Hornby clockwork engines , it has no governor for speed control and no reverse so its pretty much a wind up and let go type engine.
Here are the two cars that came in the set. A coach, named "Seattle" and a baggage / RPO.
Here is a close up of the 1923-1926, American Flyer, mighty # 16 clockwork steam engine.
I have some information that this might be a #15 outfit or set which was a cheaper version of the #16, the principal difference between them was that the #16 had two coaches. The reference data I have says that there was never an 1206 observation car lettered for the Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul - although in 1924 there was a 1206 "American Flyer Lines" observation.
Well here is hoping you have a great week. Best Wishes
Don
Don thanks for sharing your timeless Antique train you never seem to amaze me with these trains
