Ask any avid collector of toy trains about American Flyer, and likelihood is they'll have the ability to talk about these classic toy trains for hours. That is because American Flyer is really a tradition in the production of toy trains and continues to be for many years. Since the starting with the 1900's, American Flyer continues to be producing top-quality toy trains and introduced smiles towards the faces of millions of people who received them as gifts or heirlooms. A really unique find in toy train systems, American Flyer continues to become a well-liked identify in toy trains and continues to deliver happiness to today's kids and collectors.
American Flyer toy trains started as an concept to develop a clockwork motor for toy vehicles in 1901 by a guy named William Fredrick Hafner. In 1905, he developed a train that might be operated by a clockwork motor on O gauge track. After receiving several requests and funds for orders, Hafner enlisted the assist of his buddy, William Coleman, to start producing these new models of toy trains. At the time, Coleman had taken over manage of Edmonds-Metzel Hardware Company, who had experienced monetary hardship in 1906. The two buddies immediately started to create toy trains by using the surplus production potential of Edmonds-Metzel. The production was a good results, and by 1910 Edmonds-Metzel left the hardware industry and altered its identify to American Flyer. Initially American Flyer toy trains were believed to become generic in comparison to its competitor producer, Ives.
During the Initial Globe War, American Flyer's business expanded and ultimately knocked out the German manufactures that created the vast majority of toy trains offered in the United States. American Flyer introduced the initial electric train in 1918. A windup device replaced the clockwork motor developed by Hafner and rapidly became a well-liked toy among American kids. Even with the developing recognition of American Flyer, the company still took second location towards the Lionel Corporation - a rivalry that continues among toy train collectors these days.
American Flyer toy trains really are a well-liked display merchandise at modern toy train conventions and exhibits, and are usually at the center of heated auction bidding. Even though finding pieces from American Flyer toy train systems are not difficult, you can expect to pay top dollar for these classic toys. Even American Flyer catalogs are scorching items up for sale and bidding at auctions and on the internet.
A simple search of the web will provide you with a total listing of where to find American Flyer toy trains and accessories. You'll find several choices for attending exhibits and conventions that carry American Flyer trains, and you'll find several items up for bid on eBay. The prices assortment from $20 for accessories to $500+ for toy trains, box vehicles, cabooses, and tank vehicles. Once you find a collectible from American Flyer, it can be a quite addicting pastime to add more pieces and accessories for your collection!