American Flyer 1201 Set and 1216 Questions

The engine and the consist you have described were cataloged from 1920 - 1924. At that time the train set number corresponded to the engine ID so it is listed as Train 1201.  The color pictures in the 1922 and 1923 catalogs (I don't have a copy of the 1924) match your description exactly - engine with two green 8 wheel cars. One baggage and one coach.

Robert S. Butler posted:

The engine and the consist you have described were cataloged from 1920 - 1924. At that time the train set number corresponded to the engine ID so it is listed as Train 1201.  The color pictures in the 1922 and 1923 catalogs (I don't have a copy of the 1924) match your description exactly - engine with two green 8 wheel cars. One baggage and one coach.

I forgot to mention that the cars are described as having 'Four-wheel frames', which if I'm correct, should be the two-axle cars?

 Yes, my error - I was looking at one picture and typing the description of another one - 4 wheel passenger cars it is.

Catalog cut from 1922

That appears to match the description, Robert. Thank you for your help, I appreciate it.

Hi all,

I was able to see my 1216 the other day, and it is a great looking engine. It has ten-spoke wheels and a single pick-up roller. I do know that it was listed as the 'Earliest Version'. Would anyone happen to know what sets included the 1216?

Thanks,

Alex

Welcome to the world of American Flyer number roulette.  According to the Greenberg guide 1216 is supposed to be the electrically powered cast iron steam engine with a headlight.  In the 1918 catalog there is a head on picture of this locomotive only with the number 1225. The price lists for 1919, 1920, and 1921 calls this engine #1216 but it is not clear if this refers to the engine only or to the engine tender combination. In 1922 the price list has the engine with the headlight listed as #1216 and the one without as #1094.  The same number for the engine with the headlight is listed in the 1924.

  So, if yours is the earlier version this would put it at 1918.  The catalog illustration for that year shows the following two sets.

   I do have one question - are you sure about the spoke count.  Below is a picture of the earliest version of the 1094 which has the same wheels as the earliest version of 1216.  The wheels are machined steel and the spoke count is 8.

Robert,

you are correct, it does have eight-spoke wheels. Thank you for helping me out and for the information.

Well, here's the 1216 with a pair of brown Electric Service cars and the 1201 train set. The brown cars were sold separately, but like the 1216 and 1201 train set, they were bought from the same seller. Not sure if the 1216 ever came with four-wheel cars...

A check of the 1918, 1921, 1922 and 1923 Flyer catalogs indicate 1216 was always cataloged with 8 wheel cars.  When the 4 wheel cars were part of an electric steam locomotive consist the engine was #1094 the engine without the "protected electric headlight".

Thanks for the info Robert.

Robert S. Butler posted:

   I do have one question - are you sure about the spoke count.  Below is a picture of the earliest version of the 1094 which has the same wheels as the earliest version of 1216.  The wheels are machined steel and the spoke count is 8.

i have 4 early electrics... three with the recessed headlight have either 12 spoke (2) or 8 spoke (1) drivers.