Operating Accessories (Page 6 of 9)
In addition to adding visual interest and realism to a train layout, Operating Accessories allow you operate it like a real world-railroad rather than simply running trains around in a circle.  Gilbert made 62 distinct accessories as listed on a little over seven pages of the TM Guide, not counting the variations on some of the 62.  Lionel made a few more up under the American Flyer name.  Because there are so many, I have split them up over four web pages:

Gilbert accessories #561 through #588 are on
page 1
                           #591 through #752A are on
page 2
                           #755 through #762 are on
page 3
                           #766 through 785 are on
page 4
                           #787 through #23601 are on
page 5
                           #23602 through #23786 are on this page
                           #23787 through #23830 are on
page 7
Lionel accessories #2300 through #49807 are on
page 7
                           #49808 through 49819 are on
page 8
                           # 49820 and above are on
page 9

In 1957, Gilbert computerized and changed from a 3-digit numbering system to a 5-digit system.  (Volume II of Greenberg's Guide contains a detailed discussion of 5-digit numbering from its inception.)  During the transition, the unsold inventory of 3-digit accessories was sold in 5-digit boxes.  After that stock ran out, Gilbert continued manufacturing similar or identical accessories. Some items changed little, if at all, in the years that followed. Therefore, it is often impossible to tell whether the accessory you're looking at was originally sold as a 5-digit unit or a 3-digit unit, unless you have the box it came in.  A unique exception is the #23789 Station and Baggage Smasher which had the 5-digit number molded into the plastic underneath.  Accessories that had a green base (like the  23589 station) changed from a light green to a darker green base. The font changed on operating buttons and the 5-digit buttons had slots on the side. You need to know what to look for if you want to tell the difference. There are clues, but they are subtle!

Unless otherwise specified, the pictures on this page are from the collection of The Upstairs Train.
#23602 Crossing Gate with no roadway made in 1963 & 1964.
(Photo courtesy of an anonymous donor.)


#23758 Sam the Semaphore Man; the 5-digit version of 758A made in 1957.
#23759 Bell Danger Signal, the 5-digit version of #759, made in 1957 thru 1960,.
It came with one #696 track trip.
Because this one has a light green base, it is probably a #759 sold in a 23759 box.
Later units had a dark greeen base.
(Photo courtesy of
Ronald W. Durst.)

#23760 Highway Flasher, the 5-digit version of #760, made in 1957 thru 1960.
It came with one #696 track trip.


#23761 Semaphore with two button controller; the 5-digit version of #761 made in 1957 thru 1960.
#23763 Bell Danger Signal,
another 5-digit version of #759,
made in 1961 thru 1964.
It came with with one 696 track trip and
one XA16A593 track trip.
(Photo courtesy of an anonymous donor.)
#23764 Flasher Signal made in 1961 thru 1964.
It came with with one 696 track trip and one XA16A593 track trip.
(Photo courtesy of
Rick Dunn.)


#23771 Stockyard and Car; the 5-digit version of #K771 made in 1957 thru 1961.
#23779 Oil Drum Loader; the 5-digit version of #779, made in 1957 thru 1961.
(Photo courtesy of an anonymous donor.)


#23785 Coal Loader; the 5-digit version of #785, made in 1957 thru 1960.
#23786 Talking Station made in 1957 thru 1959.
(Photo courtesy of
Rick Dunn.)

Show me the rest of the Operating Accessories.

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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 equipment, and as visitors send me pictures of the items I don't yet have.  If you have a car, engine, accessory, or set 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.

Now show me:

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