Gilbert AF Memories

Milan posted:

Yes Julie's on 23rd st. Almost across the street from Madison Harware. Julie's did have  AF trains. I did buy a GP7 234 from Julie's. I read that they would get left over trains from the toy show or stuff from Hall of science. I should have shopped more often at Julie

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When did Julie's close?
I don't think I ever made it there.

I never heard of Julie's. My dad and uncle were loyal Savoy folks. They also shopped at Madison for Lionel accessories.

My favorite diecast-frame work train cars were the crane car, the depressed center cable car, the  track cleaning car, the girder car, and the crane tender/work caboose. To reduce the drag on the track cleaning car, the spring loaded pads could be reversed.

My dad and uncle were loyal Savoy folks.

By the time I found Savoy, in the early 1970's, the Flyer was long gone. I remember having to go towards the left rear of a very crowded store to get to the counter where I could ask about trains. I am reasonably certain I purchased my 8031 CN Geep from them. Also some of the 90xx series rolling stock.

Yes, I remember the service area in the rear left, where Ernie would provide parts and AF repair expertise. One had to walk the length of the showroom to reach the train dept. I remember him swapping out my handcar, whose motor design would overheat and render the motor useless if run too long with its three mine car consist! My time visiting Savoy was 1953-57 (I am 75).

If it were not for Savoy, I would not have had my AF "empire" of five engines and 28 cars! They were nice folks and expert repairmen.