Trainorama
Finally, in 1953, Gilbert created the 790 (also marketed as a 791) Trainorama display. It wasn't a fully sceniced layout but it was three dimensional and went a long ways toward creating the illusion of a realistic setting for the trains.
Trainorama - 1953
Illustration courtesy of Lonny Beno
Centerfold Illustration from D1706 Brochure
Courtesy of Lonny Beno
Sets Containing the 790 (791) Trainorama DisplayThe 790 Trainorama Display was sold separately, but was also included in several sets, none of which were cataloged. According to The Almost Complete Guide To American Flyer Sets, by Robert Tufts, these sets are shown below. |
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| Set Number | Rolling Stock | Track | Other Accessories |
|
6SP (1953) |
356 Silver Bullet, 606 AFL Crane, 607 AFL Boom Car |
Over/Under Figure 8 |
747 Cardboard Trestle |
|
11SP (1954) |
356 Silver Bullet, 3-655 Silver Bullet Coaches, 636 Erie Flat, 613 Great Northern Boxcar |
Over/Under Figure 8 |
747 Cardboard Trestle |
|
109 (1955) |
4778 Silver Flash AB, 928 New Haven Log Car, 929 Missouri Pacific Stock Car, 940 Wabash Hopper, 937 MKT Boxcar, 930 Caboose |
60" Oval |
795 Station & Terminal |
|
117 (1955) |
354 Silver Bullet, 2-955S Coaches |
Over/Under Figure 8 |
747 Cardboard Trestle, 795 Station & Terminal |
|
118 (1955) |
287 Pacific, 941 Frisco Gondola, 923 Illinois Central Reefer, 925 Gulf Tank Car, 938 Caboose |
Over/Under Figure 8 |
747 Cardboard Trestle, 795 Station & Terminal, 566 Whistling Billboard, |
|
123 (1955) |
326 Hudson, 928 New Haven Log Car, 936, 937 MKT Boxcar, 946, 925 Gulf Tank Car, 930 Caboose |
70" Oval |
N/A |
Very little documentation is available for the 6SP and 11SP sets other than newspaper ads for the retailers selling them. All of these uncataloged sets were an attempt to unload excess inventory. Whether the inclusion of the Trainorama display was designed as an enticement to purchase the excess inventory, or was, in itself, excess inventory, is a question that remains.