MTH 4696 Brass Piper Question

According to the Greenberg guide to American Flyer Wide Gauge the 4693 tender came either with a brass plate with the numbers 4693 in black and a second brass plate with the words "American Flyer Lines" in black or with the numbers 4694 and "American Flyer Lines in red or with a data plate in black with a second brass plate with "American Flyer Lines" in black.  As of the printing of that guide no one had reported a tender with a brass plate with "Annapolis" in place of the plate with "American Flyer Lines" and, given the size difference of the two plates, I doubt such a thing was ever manufactured.

Robert, Joe... a little mix up happened...

The annapolis plate did appear on some original piper locos...though it has not been proven that this was factory... I have a 4692 (tri-valve gear) that has this "Annapolis" plate, and it looks original... but the president special nameplates are identical in size to this "American Flyer" plate, so it could have been applied at any time in the 80 or so years.... I do not know if the MTH loco was produced with it.

The tender plates were as Robert described

Rob, is there any chance you could post side-by-side pictures of the two tenders?  I'll take your word for the equal size of the two labels but I must admit I thought the  "American Flyer Lines" plate like that shown in the OP's picture was a lot bigger than the Annapolis plate from the passenger cars and I'd sure like to have a photo for future reference.

As an Annapolis grad, if a "piper" exists with an "ANNAPOLIS" plate, I want one!

Bob Nelson

Bob,

That's why I was looking for one.  I was class of '88.  How about you?

I have enclosed pictures of my original A.F. brass piper with the Annapolis plates. I do believe that this version is original with the Annapolis plates. I'm reasonably sure that I read that it came with the President Special cars as the Minuteman set. Unfortunately, I am currently unable to find that reference to substantiate that. This engine is an excellent runner, now that I have replaced the wheels and completely serviced it. I often run it with my President Special cars. 

Eric Hofberg

TCA, LCCA, Ives Train Society

Ah Ha!  It always helps to read what was originally posted.  I misunderstood. I thought the OP was talking about the brass plates on just the tender not about the number plate on the tender and the brass plate under the cab window.  Thanks for the pictures.  

To clarify my original post, was the MTH reproduction ever produced?  I have been looking and looking and have yet to see one.

Joe, I have the 11-1020-0 and the plate on the cab reads American Flyer. They were cataloged in 2011, actually released in 2013.

Steve

Joe Lyons posted:

Bob,

That's why I was looking for one.  I was class of '88.  How about you?

USNA Class of 1971

chug posted:

I have enclosed pictures of my original A.F. brass piper with the Annapolis plates. I do believe that this version is original with the Annapolis plates. I'm reasonably sure that I read that it came with the President Special cars as the Minuteman set. Unfortunately, I am currently unable to find that reference to substantiate that. This engine is an excellent runner, now that I have replaced the wheels and completely serviced it. I often run it with my President Special cars. 

Eric Hofberg

TCA, LCCA, Ives Train Society

Both the plates on the tender appear to be attached with machine screws.  Is that normal?

Bob Nelson

They are actually pressed in pins. Not sure of the actual name fore them.

Steve

Steve,

Mine is also the 11-1020-0.  It seems AF made the Piper with the Annapolis Plate but MTH did not.

There is an AF locomotive currently at auction with an Annapolis plate.  Its listed as a "AMERICAN FLYER STANDARD ANNAPOLIS STEAM ENGINE 569185"

I am not very familiar with AF.  What is it?

It appears to be a 4675 Type III. Type I & II had Flyer plates and Type IV had a Adams plate.

Steve

Steve "Papa" Eastman posted:

They are actually pressed in pins. Not sure of the actual name fore them.

Steve

Eustachian Pins (for the # or data plate).  Machine screws for the large "AF" plate.

Seriously, all you guys hunting for an MTH loco with "Annapolis" nameplates are killing me.  Stop overthinking this.  Call/Email Midge at MTH parts (or visit their booth at York) and get two Annapolis plates (they are the same exact ones from a president special passenger car) and swap them out on your locos.  Its two tabs per plate.  BOOM!  DONE!  You could even pick a different name if you like... they should have all the president and flying colonel car names.

And if you'd rather have a "4693" # plate on your tender or a data plate, or whichever other plate you don't have, order them from MTH, pull the tender shell and tap the Eustachian pins out from the back side (holding the plate in) and swap those out too.  EASY.   You don't have to buy another locomotive.

navy.seal posted:

Both the plates on the tender appear to be attached with machine screws.  Is that normal?

Bob Nelson

Yes for the large "AF" plate.  The smaller plate is held with pins.

So I called and emailed Midge and was told the "Annapolis" nameplates are unavailable.  I also tried to get some brass "Lionel Lines" nameplates for the blue comet coaches and could not get those either.

Joe Lyons posted:

So I called and emailed Midge and was told the "Annapolis" nameplates are unavailable.  I also tried to get some brass "Lionel Lines" nameplates for the blue comet coaches and could not get those either.

Bummer

Look at the bay, AF plates  pop up often. A polish and shellacking will make em look new.