This IS one of two sets that the famous ORANGE Shell tank car could have been in. There are multiple year versions of the 4605. This is the 1946 version.
This is a GREAT value in Collectible toy trains for the money--a set you can put on the shelf in collector completeness or one you can run because it is ready to go!
You are looking at an interesting American Flyer COMPLETE set from 1946. This is a set with a clean 312 K-5 Pacific Pennsylvania steam engine with three freight cars ready to go. It was known as the Pennsylvania Freight Train in 1946. This set was the entry level line, the most affordable set that year. The engine has very few features (no smoke, no choo choo). Plastic was new to Gilbert, and the cars were made of a thin plastic that warped easily.
Here is a detailed breakdown of each item for your consideration:
THE 310 K-5 4-6-2 Pacific Steam Engine
This steam engine and tender are super clean--wow. I do not throw around like new very much, but this one qualifies. This engine is worth every penny paid for this set.
The 310 K-5 is in full excellent plus cosmetic shape--my goodness! Nice paint and lettering. Jewels LOOK GREAT. Runs but we always suggest servicing engines that have been sitting for decades.
The stamping is just a little bit lighter on one side (the number).
THIS one:
- SILVER PENNSYLVANIA lettering on tender
- Link coupler without weight
- 1946 THIN SHANK coupler
- 4-6-2 Pacific
- Die Cast
- Marker jewels
- Silver numbering on cab
WRAPPER
The 310 comes in a very clean wrapper, but there is no stamping visible. The wrapper does have a corner missing.
All of the freight cars have 1946 THIN SHANK link couplers without weights.
THE 625 Black Shell Tank Car
This is not the usual Shell Tank car you see--this one is black.
While it is not as scarce as the orange one, it is still a tougher car than the common silver tank. It does have some very light scratches here and there, but it is complete, and the printing is really good. It does not have much of any warp you expect on 1946 freight cars, so that of itself is a rarity. There are very minor warp-induced indentions towards the ends, but they are minor.
Box has good printing. All here.
The 632 LNE Hopper, Black Plastic
This is the BLACK 632 Lehigh New England hopper, plastic. It does have warpage and light scratches. The printing is very good with some rubs and scratches. The car is complete.
Box has good printing. Looks like it is all here. Missing some inner side flaps.
The 630 Caboose, red base, lighted
Lighted. A receipe for disaster with these 1946 cars. While it is clean and nice SILVER printing, the car suffers from the usual 46 plastic warping. The printing on the car is silver and really amazing. I really like the red base on this mdel--so unusual. I have a nice red base unlighted version of this car if you prefer (without warp). Neat and unusual red plastic base.
Good box, nice printing.
THE SET BOX
Is complete. Structurally quite nice. Original owner's name in hobby store wax crayon on top. Box shows light corner wear, but it is in quite nice shape for a set box from the 40s. The label has some wear. The set number is very hard to see--almost all the way faded. The corners have rubs and some light fraying. It is all here and structurally good.
Track, Etc
The set originally came with blackened track. If you need track, please let us know, and we will include. Many set collectors do not like getting more track.
If you have an orange tank car, and want to brag that you have it in the original set, here is your chance. If you need that famous orange tank car, check out our other listings right now!