Dockside Switcher Steam Engines (1 of 2)
Gilbert made three Dockside Switchers and Lionel has added sixteen more under their American Flyer name. Because there are so many, I have split them up over two web pages:

          Gilbert Docksiders are on this page.
          Lionel  #42563 through #48039 are on this page
                      #48040 through #48097 are on page 2

Unless otherwise specified, the large pictures on this page are of engines in the collection of The Upstairs Train.

If you have a picture that you would like to share with the world of any of engines not shown here, or a better picture of one that is shown, email them to me: theupstairstrain@gmail.com

When I get the pages built, you will be able to click on an engine to see the train(s) it pulled.
At this point, only the #21155 and #48069 have such a link
#21155 Dockside Switcher made in 1958.
The first Docksiders used two feet to pick up power from the tracks.
They are well separated so the engine won't stall on switches.
(Picture courtesy of an anonymous donor.)
#21156 Dockside Switcher made in 1959.
(Picture courtesy of an anonymous donor.)
#21158 Dockside Switcher made in 1960.
(Pictures above and below courtesy of
Stout Auctions.)


In 2004, Lionel began producing a new breed of Dockside Switcher under its American Flyer name. These engines are identified by the year in which they appeared in a catalog, though they often didn't get into anybody's hands until the following year.

#42563 Bethlehem Steel Dockside Switcher in the 2013, 2014 & 2016 catalogs.
(Artist's rendering from the 2013 American Flyer catalog.)


#42564 Reading Dockside Switcher in the 2013, 2014 & 2016 catalogs.


#42565 Chesapeake & Ohio Dockside Switcher steam locomotive in the 2013 catalog.


#42566 American Flyer Lines Dockside Switcher in the 2013, 2014 & 2016 catalogs.


#42567 Christmas Dockside Switcher in the 2013 and 2014 catalogs.


#42568 Southern Pacific Dockside Switcher steam locomotive in the 2013 catalog.


#48039 B&O Dockside Switcher made in 2004
(Picture courtesy of Jerry Poniatowski)
Show me the rest of the Docksiders.

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send a contribution via PayPal using theupstairstrain@gmail.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@gmail.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 like you 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@gmail.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.

Now show me:

The Gilbert Gallery Home Page
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0-8-0 Steam Switchers      Northern Steam Engines      B-6sb Steam Switchers
Casey Jones Steam Engines      Mikado Steam Engines
Berkshire Steam Engines      Challenger Steam Engines      Y-3 Steam Engines

Alco PA Diesel Engines    Geep Diesel Engines    Baldwin Diesel Engines    F-9 Diesel Engines
ES44AC Diesel Engines     SD70ACe Diesel Engines     U33C Diesel Engines
U36C Diesel Engines     GE EP-5 Electric Engines     Handcars

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