Aeolus

Flyers first offering in the world of streamlined steam was the ill fated No. 9915 in 1935.  The catalog described the engine as being a "New York Central type".  Many collectors refer to the cast aluminum engine-tender combination as the Aeolus because of a resemblance to the CB&Q's engine of that name and some claim the Q's engine was the inspiration for 9915.  The only problem with this is that the Q didn't build Aeolus until 1937.  The reality is that Flyer tried to make an engine with characteristics of the two best know streamlined engines of the day - the Hiawatha and the Commodore Vanderbilt.  The set 1325-RCT was a sales failure and was catalogued for one year only. Like the Lionel Girl's Train of 1957 what was 1935's trash is now 2008's treasure and this engine and passenger set is one of the most sought after of the Flyer prewar offerings.