Maker record
British Flyer
British Flyer was an American Flyer toy-train range made for the British market. Introduced in the United Kingdom in 1921, it used British railway styling for its locomotives and coaches. The range was an export venture by the Chicago-based American toy-train maker; the available evidence describes it as commercially unsuccessful.
- Founded
- 1921
- Final year
- 1922
- Locations
- Chicago, USA
- Founders
- American Flyer
The story of British Flyer
After the First World War, American Flyer considered exporting its toy trains to the United Kingdom. In 1921 it introduced British Flyer, a range with British railway styling. The venture did not succeed, and the company returned its attention to the American market.
American Flyer was founded in Chicago in 1908 by W. F. Hafner, W. O. Coleman and E. Metzel, initially making mechanical toy trains for 0 gauge. During the First World War it added electric toy trains. British Flyer was one of its brief export efforts, rather than a separate British manufacturer.