We seek American Flyer and S Scale model railroaders to populate this forum. If we have S Scale folks around, please check in!
While I model in S scale, is there any interest among you Flyer people for a SD40-2? Lionel promised one a couple years ago and then dropped the project due to lack of interest. If we are going to grow S, we need start raising our voices and let the manufactures know we want some more recent equipment produced than 40's and 50's. Greg
Greg, Just came onboard. I got my first American Flyer set back in 1950. Still have interest in collecting S-scale. I'm in the process of putting together a layout in my home in Fountain Hills, AZ. I buy most of my s-scale off e-bay. But there seems to be a lot of interest in American Flyer trains. Prices are going sky high for the quality trains. So there is still a lot of interest out there Take care, SWOD
SWOD- Welcome to TrainBoard! I've noticed an upturn of interest in AF trains. Sure wish I still had mine from youth. Bummer. Boxcab E50
I still have my first set that my Dad surprised me with when I came home from the hospital after having my tonsils out. I was 5-years old and he took me down to the basement and to my surprise I saw this magnificant train set running around the ping-pong table. I didn't want to go to bed and rest up, I just stayed there for hours playing with my new American Flyers. I have such great memories of these trains setting up layouts with my Dad. Even though I now model in N scale, I still take my old flyer trains out and run them on an oval. The sound and smokey smell those trains make is unique unto itself. I could never part with those trains. Years ago I purchased some S scale flex track with wooden ties, does anyone know where I can purchase more of these tracks?
Russell, thanks for the quick answer. I checked their website but I didn't see any images of the track. What is the difference between Tinplate or Stainless rails? Thanks.
I believe tin plate is thin sheet metal rolled into the shape of rail with a round railhead to hold pins used for track connectors. (Like the original stuff from American Flyer) The stainless track is solid in the shape of prototype rail and uses sleeve type rail joiners that connect the flanges at the bottom of the rail. (Like most HO and N track) Here is a place that sells it.
"Tinplate" is as Russell has described. It is the old and still used nickname. Which with the advent of more prototypical appearing rails, is also known as "Hi-Rail." As it is so tall by comparison. Boxcab E50
I'm assuming the tinplate track is hollow in order to insert the connecting pin, but how well does is the tinplate flex track bend into different radius? Since it is hollow is it more likely to crease? Does anyone know the pros and cons comparing tinplate to stainless flex track?
It's been too many years, for me to give a good review. I do recall the GarGraves track that was made to flex. But it's limitations? Wish I could help. :sad: Boxcab E50
GarGraves is the best track for O and S, most guys with Lionel and AF layouts use it along with Ross Custom Switches for turn outs. I know K-Line produced AF style sectional track, now that Lionel owns K-Line I don't know if that is still true or not. My dad was a AF fan because he liked the two vs. the three rail. He still has the set he got for Christmas in 1948. In 1992 I had the locomotive cleaned and refurbished and bought a transformer for it and ran it under the Christmas tree. I model N and my wife got into high rail O, but I have a few S AF locomotives that were given to me. The AF PA's were their best looking locomotives. Jim
Having used GarGraves for an S layout some 22 years ago I wasn't entirely happy with it. I'd use something else, like SHS flex. But that's just me. AF will run on SHS track as well as American Models. GarGraves was the only way to go 22 years ago, if you didn't want to use AF sectional. Price maybe better for GarGraves, compared to the other two I mentioned but I don't know for sure. Greg Elems
Well seeing as we are talking AF, I may as well chime in too. I only own three pieces. An Atlantic loco a tender and a IC boxcar. That's it. I have them on a shelf gathering dust, but they are placed so I can see them daily. I just like looking at them.
I still have my origiinal AF that is 52 years old which I run frequently. It is a 4-6-2 Pacific. I am now purchasing S scale trains from SHS which I love. I use their sectional track with ballast which works fine on the living room carpet around the Christmas tree. I am now converting everything to DCC so I can operate it from the chair accross the room. Getting up and down off the floor is getting harder than when I was 7 years old. I am a new member living in San Diego. Rick
WELCOME!!!!!!! We would love to see topics about your layout and you can upload photographs to RailImages and post them in topics so we can see it at the same time. :shade: :shade: :shade: :shade:
One important difference between stainless solid rail and tinplate or high rail is electrical resistance. There is less resistance in the solid versus the hollow rails, resulting in better conductivity over a longer distance to the motor and powered accessory rolling stock.
