Year Catalog No. Description

Size

1963 28046 Road Race/Train Display 4X8
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Overall view of layoutPhotos of this very interesting late Gilbert display were provided by Robert Beers.  According to Robert, this unique American Flyer Display Layout was made in 1963 for the National Premium Buyers Show in McCormack Place in Chicago. The show is still held today for the hobby trade and usually runs just before the big International Toy Fair in NY.  In the heyday of model trains, all the manufacturers were represented at these shows.   The layout features Gilbert's Auto-Rama Miniature Racing in addition to the PikeMaster trains.  The display is still in its shipping box, made for it in Connecticut at the Consolidated Can Company. The box has shipping labels on it with the Chicago address and also a part number (28046) for the display.

The Gilbert Auto-Rama portion of the layout features the new black track with 3 rail operation which enabled the drivers to go in reverse or switch lanes. The train set came with the display as did all the accessories shown. The original gold skirting was also intact although it shows it's age of 51 years.  Robert plans on preserving the original condition of this display. The 4 x 8 foot box it was transported in is in surprisingly good shape and provided most of the clues as to the display's origin.

 

Additional Images of Layout
Click to view in larger size
End view End view Grandstand
The trainset Sawmill Sawmill closeup
Water tower Shipping container Shipping container label
Click on images above to view in larger size
All photos courtesy of Robert Beers