Gilbert 3/16 Scale "Tru Model" Trains

After taking over the operation of American Flyer Manufacturing in 1937 and folding it into the A. C. Gilbert Company, Gilbert began working toward the realization of his vision for the Gilbert American Flyer trains.  His first catalog was issued in 1938 and it introduced his planned line of HO gauge trains, but the O gauge line was largely Chicago Flyer stock and designs.  It wasn't until 1939 that Gilbert was able to introduce a line of trains actually scaled slightly smaller than most O gauge, but still running on O gauge track.  For information on the early prototype models, click here.

In this page, I hope to present a simple framework for understanding the complicated and varied O gauge line.  The available guide books are in conflict with each other in many ways concerning this segment of American Flyer O gauge production.   To sort this out, I consulted with Gary Baloun, a well known collector who is very knowledgeable about these early models.  With his help and by referencing all the available guides, I hope to present the best understanding of these trains.  Unfortunately, most guides that get to press usually contain errors, which because of the economics of book printing cannot be corrected until a new edition is published, if ever.   There will probably be errors in this page also, but owing to the nature of websites, they can be corrected immediately and I urge anyone finding errors to bring them to my attention at the contact link below. 

Gary has been able to provide some details not covered in the guide books and I will present them here.   One of the first things to discuss is Gilbert's terminology for the two reverse control systems.   The first type triggers the reverse unit by cutting power to the locomotive.  Gilbert called this "Remote Control," abbreviated "RC." The second type of control system used a relay activated by the addition of a DC current to the track voltage.  The relay then triggered the reverse unit by applying power to it.  This was called "Remote Directional Control," abbreviated "RDC."  The latter system had the advantage of enabling the train to start up in the same direction when power was cut.  This eliminated the need for a means of locking the locomotive in one direction or another.  Gilbert did provide a means of manually triggering the reverse unit in the form of a hole in the top of the locomotive through which a toothpick or other small tool could be inserted to manually change the direction.

To complicate things a bit further, these systems used 3 different reversing units as shown below.   The Chicago style unit was used in 1939, the Gilbert designed piston unit in 1940 and the second Gilbert design, which was carried over to the S gauge line, was used in 1941 and 1942.  All of these were 4 position units which sequenced F-N-R-N when activated, either by the DC current or cutting the power depending on the control system.

Chicago style reverse unit shown in production version of catalog number 568 locomotive. (806 printed on cab) Four position reverse unit is at right side in photo with DC relay at the left side.   Side mounted motor is in the middle.

Piston Style reverse unit found in 1940 models and in the prototype for the 0-8-0 switcher. (shown here in 0-8-0 prototype)

 

Gilbert 3/16 Scale Pre War Locomotives RC="Remote Control" (Sequence Reverse - F-N-R-N-F)          RDC="Remote Directional Control" - (DC Signal to DC relay sequences the reverse unit)
4-8-4 (UP)
Year	Cat. No. (Cab No.)	Reverse Unit	Drive	Remarks
1939	568 (806)	RDC Chicago Flyer Style	Spur Gear	Old stock also available in 1940 - Has pinhole in front of cab to change direction by insertion of toothpick
1940	534 (571/ 533)	RDC Gilbert Plunger Style	Worm Gear	Redesigned boiler - Has pinhole in front of cab to change direction by insertion of toothpick
1940	534 (806)	RDC Chicago Flyer Style	Spur Gear	Old Stock 568
1940	572 (571/572)	RC Gilbert Plunger Style	Worm Gear	Slot on boiler top for reverse unit locking lever - Redesigned boiler
1940	572 (806)	RC Chicago Flyer Style	Spur Gear	Pinhole replaced by small screw down knob to lock reverse unit
1941	534	RDC Modern "S" Style?	Worm Gear	Choo Choo in tender  - Has pinhole in front of cab to change direction by insertion of toothpick
1941	572	RC Modern "S" Style	Worm Gear	Some Choo Choo in tender, most without - Slot for lever?
4-6-4 (NYC)
Year	Cat. No. (Cab No.)	Reverse Unit	Drive	Remarks
1939	564 (5640)	RDC Chicago Flyer Style	Spur Gear	Has pinhole in front of cab to change direction by insertion of toothpick
1940	531	RDC Gilbert Plunger Style	Worm Gear
1940	570	RC Gilbert Plunger Style	Spur Gear	Slot on boiler top for reverse unit locking lever?
1941	531	RDC Modern "S" Style?	Worm Gear	Has pinhole in front of cab to change direction by insertion of toothpick
1941	570	RC Modern "S" Style?	Worm Gear	Slot on boiler top for reverse unit locking lever
4-6-2 (Pennsy K5)
Year	Cat. No. (Cab No.)	Reverse Unit	Drive	Remarks
1940	559	RDC Gilbert Plunger Style	Worm Gear	Has pinhole in front of cab to change direction by insertion of toothpick
1940	561	RC Gilbert Plunger Style	Worm Gear	Slot on boiler top for reverse unit locking lever
1941	559	RDC Modern "S" Style?	Worm Gear	Has pinhole in front of cab to change direction by insertion of toothpick
1941	561	RC Modern "S" Style?	Worm Gear	Slot on boiler top for reverse unit locking lever
4-6-2 (Royal Blue)
Year	Cat. No. (Cab No.)	Reverse Unit	Drive	Remarks
1940	556	RC Gilbert Plunger Style	Worm Gear	Slot on boiler top for reverse unit locking lever
1941	556	RC Modern "S" Style?	Worm Gear	Slot on boiler top for reverse unit locking lever
0-8-0 (Nickel Plate)
Year	Cat. No. (Cab No.)	Reverse Unit	Drive	Remarks
1941	574	RC Modern "S" Style?	Worm Gear	Slot on boiler top for reverse unit locking lever
1941	575B	RDC Modern "S" Style?	Worm Gear	Prototype was for this variation.  It was also planned to include ringing bell triggered by micro switch - Slot for switch between drivers on chassis is seen on early S gauge models using same chassis, but no bell there either
4-4-2 (Reading)
Year	Cat. No. (Cab No.)	Reverse Unit	Drive	Remarks
1941	565	RC Modern "S" Style?	Worm Gear	Slot on boiler top for reverse unit locking lever - single wire plug to tender - Tender lettered American Flyer Lines
1945-6	565	RC Modern "S" Style?	Worm Gear	Slot on boiler top for reverse unit locking lever - /fahnstock clip to tender instead of plug
Hybrid Semi Scale Units
Year	Cat. No. (Cab No.)	Reverse Unit	Drive	Remarks
4-4-2 (Pennsy K5)
1940	545	RC Gilbert Plunger Style	Worm Gear	Slot on boiler top for reverse unit locking lever
4-4-2 (Royal Blue Style)
1940	553	RC Gilbert Plunger Style	Worm Gear	Slot on boiler top for reverse unit locking lever