A little bit late to post this week, but I just got it partially back together this morning.
A 1938 American Flyer 1680 Hudson! To the best of my knowledge, the 1680 decal below the cab window only appears on the 1938 version. I have an original 4-car chrome streamline set with an identical 1680.
This one came to me needing a bit of work, but having 2 excellent 1680 decals below the cab windows. The confusing thing to me was that a former owner had taken most of the trim off of the boiler and cleaned the black paint off of it and then polished it (as evidenced by black painted cotter pins holding the trim on and the trim that was not cleaned and polished). Although the 1936 and 1937 Chicago era Hudsons had polished brass/copper trim, that is incorrect for the Gilbert era Hudsons, the 1680 should come with gloss black trim and the 447 comes with a blackened trim. Therefore, I removed the trim from this motor and sprayed it gloss black and re-installed.
The motor needed 2 new drive wheels (pictured) and I need to paint their rims white, before installing the side rods. I also put all new leading and trailing trucks on and new springs and brushes.
All I can say is that this engine runs great! It pulls its 4 red streamline cars like a dream! I will have to post photos of the entire set on next week's gallery, as it should be put back together by then.
NWL
