Year Catalog No. Description

Size

1959-60    28135 Badlands Display 4X6
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28135.jpg (29166 bytes)
Catalog illustration courtesy of rfgco.com
To see the complete catalog page on rfgco.com, click here

This particular display is unique in that it contains an unknown station building.  A whistling billboard was included which, at least on some displays, was activated by an electronic track trip.  (see S Gaugian, Jan-Feb 2000, American Flyer Collector's column, pg. 37

"Last Train From Gun Hill" Display

In 1959, Gilbert promoted the Frontiersman sets heavily.  The catalog that year featured the Frontiersman prominently displayed on the front cover.  In addition, practically every television placement featured these sets.  In addition, they found an opportunity to draw attention to these newly introduced sets with the release of the Paramount movie "Last Train From Gun Hill."

The layout is described as having "badlands terrain copied from actual location settings in 'Last Train From Gun Hill'."  The use of the word "badlands" and the fact that western toy figures were used in the display makes me think it is likely that this was a 28135 display layout.  The 28135 also used such toy figures.  The train was also described as a "Facsimile" of the train featured in the movie.  The train in the movie was a 4-4-0 in standard black paint with red cars.  Whether Gilbert repainted Frontiersman cars and engines to match the cars in the movie is unknown, but I have my doubts.  Doing so, would minimize the advertising benefit if the cars didn't look like the product the movie goers could buy.

If anyone remembers seeing this display in the Lobby of the Capitol Theater in New York City in 1959, or knows anything more about this display please let me know at flyerdisplays@att.net

Press Release Courtesy of Don Rosa

Click here or on the image at the left to read the press release.



Photo of Display Under Restoration

This display is the same one described in the above referenced S Gaugian article.  As you can see it bears the marks of its partial dismantling for conversion to an HO layout.  It is currently being restored to its original configuration by Richard Trotter, Ray Mohrlang's nephew who obtained the layout from his late Uncle's Estate.   Ray had purchased the layout from its previous owner.

Note the fiber roadbed and the use of two 1/2 straight sections of track to widen the oval.  Also note the unique billboard photo on the whistle and its placement on the side of the tunnel.   The colors on this layout are quite a contrast to the uncolored photos shown in the catalogs.  On this layout, the whistle was activated by a trip located in the tunnel.   We will have more information as the restoration proceeds.  For a larger display click on the image below.

Badlands Layout Restoration
Photo courtesy of Richard Trotter

 
28135rrt400.jpg (13349 bytes) 28135rrt3d400.jpg (14352 bytes)
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Download the RRtrack file for use with your copy of RRtrack software

 

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