#5002T Circus Train Set

#5002T Circus Train made in only 1950.
It was pulled by the #353 Circus engine and contained two #643 Circus Flatcars and a #649 Circus Coach.
The set came with a #1 transformer, a #704 manual uncoupler, 12 curved and 2 straight track sections,
14 #693 track locks, a #690 track terminal, and a set of cardboard Circus punchouts and tickets.

#02-086 in the 1950 B. F. Goodrich Christmas Catalog was the same set.

It is very rare to find the complete set with circus cutouts intact. Such a set fetches premium prices.
(Picture courtesy of Ryan Meyers.)

Here are some larger pictures of the four cardboard Circus punchouts.
(Pictures courtesy of New England Toy & Train Exchange.)

Here's the Circus Tent set up.
(Picture courtesy of Kisers Vintage Toys And Trains.)

#353 American Flyer Circus engine made only in 1950.
This one has cast handrails; there is also an extremely rare version with wire handrails.
(Photo courtesy of Don Hasenzahl.)

Four different circus flatcars made in 1950-1953 shared the same #643.
The 1980 edition of Greenberg's Guide lists the known combinations.

The first, made only early in 1950, was a yellow diecast flatcar with boxcar door guides
to hold the wheels of the trailers.

Early in 1950, Gilbert switched to a black-painted block of wood to hold the wheels of the trailers.
This version was made through 1952.
(Photo courtesy of an anonymous donor.)

There was also a red diecast flatcar with yellow lettering.
None of my books tells what year(s) this was made; I don't know whether it might have come in some sets.
(Photo courtesy of an anonymous donor.)

In 1952 & 1953, Gilbert made this flatcar on a yellow Plaskon (pressed wood) base.
(Photo courtesy of an anonymous donor.)

They also made it on a yellow Bakelite base in 1952 & 1953.

If you find a set with these later variations of the #643, it is not an original 5002T set.

The unpainted, unnumbered #649 Circus Coach made in 1950-1952.  It is somewhat hard to find.
(Photo courtesy of an anonymous donor.)

The painted version of the unnumbered #649 Circus Coach made in 1950-1952.  It is equally hard to find.
(Photo courtesy of an anonymous donor.)

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