The AC Gilbert Story

That was very good Bill! Thanks for posting.

GREAT bio - I had Gilbert AF S gauge as a youth in Queens, NY. Visited the Hall of Science in NYC many times, and even the factory in New Haven, CT on one memorable occasion.

 

MANY THANKS for the memories! 

Absolutely fabulous!

 

Peter

Very interesting.

Interesting, Bill!  Thanks.

 

- Mike

GREAT FUN

 

I REMEMBER SOME OF THOSE BOXES

 

THANKS

 

      jerry

THANK YOU THOMAS BARKER for this wondeful Video on the history of the AC Gilbert company. Thomas has additional Videos on American Flyer repairs as well as an updated book.

that video is way better than the recent movie The Man Who Saved Christmas. As a mainly Lionel guy, I have always wondered how Lionel had more market share than American Flyer once I owned a 1953 Challenger Set.

Unfortunately, the younger Gilbert, like the younger Cowen, lacked the creativity and merchandising talent of their respective fathers; Joshua Cowen and A.C. Gilbert, Sr. were indeed tough acts to follow! 

 

The fact that the interest in toy trains declined in the 1960's also added to the decline of Lionel, and the demise of American Flyer as a separate entity. 

Thanks, Bill.  A great find.

Thanks, Farmer Bill.  The Gilbert Hall of Science (and the Lionel showroom at 10 E 26th St just down the block) were 2 places my father would often take me to.  Like heaven.

 

I probably learned more from my # 6-1/2 Erector set than anything else.

Whether Cowen Jr had talent of not would never be known because he dad's overbearing nature