112

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Catalog No.	112
Category	Steam Locomotive
Description	4-6-4 Hudson (AC)
Catalog References at myflyertrains.org	*1940*	1941
Remarks	*Characteristics*
	Boiler Shell Detailed (headlight) Reverse Unit DC Relay type		Drivers A. Bakelite with Brass rims B. Die cast with insulator Couplers Truck mounted
According to Charles Sommer's Guide, all prewar Hudsons utilize an AC motor with a spur gear drive. Some may have been converted to DC power by substitution of a permanent magnet for the field coil, as shown below. Some writers have indicated that beginning in 1939 a vertical worm gear drive with an AC motor was used but this appears to be incorrect. The reverse unit is DC pulse activated, as was used in prewar Flyer O gauge, rather than a sequence type. The switch to truck mounted couplers coincided with the change in the Gilbert track radius from 24" to 16". Number on cab is a prototype number. Model number does not appear on unit.

Bakelite driver version - Gary Klein Collection
Diecast driver version - Courtesy of Joe King
Diecast driver closeup - Courtesy of Joe King
Photo by David E. Crowe
This photo shows a standard Gilbert prewar AC motor with spur gearing. The drivers on this particular locomotive appear to be brass rimmed bakelite. This chassis came with a detailed boiler casting and is either a later model 200 or a model 112.
Dom San Giovanni Collection
This photo shows a Gilbert prewar motor converted to DC operation by replacement of the field coil with a permanent magnet. Such conversion kits were offered by Mantua and Quaker City Model Railroad Shop. (Source: American Flyer HO by Charles J. Sommer) While not as obvious as the previous photo above, this engine also has brass rimmed bakelite drivers and could be either a later model 200 or a model 112.
Illustration from 1946 Mantua Handbook and Catalog (A reprint of the 1942 version)
Above photos illustrate the DC activated reverse unit used in model 112 locomotives and later versions of the model 200 Photos Courtesy of Ed Goldin and Wayne Grassel


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