The First Five-Digit Red-Stripe Streamliner Set

In 1958, Gilbert converted to a five-digit numbering system.  The fourth generation of streamliners, then, was little more than a continuation of the #96x series, renumbered according to the new five-digit system. In fact, unsold inventory was sold in new boxes bearing five-digit catalog numbers even though the car inside the box had the old 96x number! Unlike Gilbert's normal numbering, the first set numerically was actually made after the higher-numbered set. Reminds me of "The first shall be last and the last first." If you have a picture that you would like to share with the world of any of cars not shown here, or a better picture of one that is shown, email them to me: theupstairstrain@yahoo.com

#24773 Columbus Combination car made in 1960-1962.

#24793 coach car made in 1960-1962. (Picture courtesy of David Butterfield.)

#24813 Vista Dome Car made in 1960-1962.

#24833 Observation Car made in 1958 and again in 1960-1962.

These cars appeared in two sets: #20169 Special Train Set made in 1959.  It was pulled by the #4713 Santa Fe Alco ABA set and comprised the #24773 Columbus Combination Car, the #24813 Vista Dome Car, and the #24833 Observation Car.  It came with a #708 Air Chime Whistle Control Unit, #22020 Transformer, #26990 Track Terminal, and 12 curved and 4 straight track sections.

#20620 Santa Fe Chief passenger set made in 1960.  It was pulled by the #21927 Santa Fe Alco A-Unit and comprised the #24773 Columbus Combination Car, the #24813 Vista Dome Car, and the #24833 Observation Car.  It came with a #704 Manual Uncoupler, #22020 Transformer, 2 #26810 Pow-R-Clips, and 12 curved and 2 straight track sections. You will also see them listed as being in the #20083 Santa Fe Chief passenger set sold in 1957, but that set really had the 96x cars in five-digit boxes; it was a means of selling off the unsold 1956 inventory.

(Photo courtesy of my friend Joe Philippson.)

It takes time and money to maintain a website like this.  If this site is interesting and helpful to you, please contribute financially to its ongoing success.  You may send a contribution via PayPal using theupstairstrain@yahoo.com as the payee. Both credit card and direct transfers would be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much. If you or your friends have some American Flyer trains and would like them to go to a nice home where they'll be loved and cared for, this is the place!  Email me: theupstairstrain@yahoo.com.  See my Wish List for the items I need most.  Thank you very much. On the other side of the coin, I post pictures from time to time on my For Sale page of surplus items I have for sale.

This gallery will continue to grow and become more comprehensive as I collect more cars and as visitors send me pictures of the cars I don't yet have.  If you have a car that you would like to share with the world, email me a picture:   theupstairstrain@yahoo.com.  Click here for a list of the pictures I need to complete the Gallery. The books I am using for reference are listed in the Bibliography page.  All the writing and all the pictures on this website are, however, my own, except where cited.  No copyrighted materials have been included and all pictures provided by others are used by permission.

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