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S Scale Model Trains

The S-scale model trains, known also as the S-gauge, is one of the most popular class of model trains. It's created on the ratio of 1:64 ( 3/16 inches = 1 ft .) and fits between the well-liked HO and O model scales. It fulfilled the demands for a scale which was larger than HO (which was considered too little by many model railroaders) but more compact than the popular O scale thus enabling track layouts to be built in more compact places.

Even though S scale model trains had been around since the first part of the last century, it began to thrive with the introduction of the re-designed American Flyer model trains, first created by The A.C.Gilbert Organization in Connecticut, USA, throughout the latter part of the 1930s.

S Scale Model Trains and The American Flyer:

The famous American Flyer model trains, that had been made since the early part of the century originally as clockwork model trains, then afterwards, as electric trains were radically re-designed by Gilbert when he purchased the original organization. These types of trains were built to S-scale but operated on regular O-gauge tracks.

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S Scale model Trains and The 3 Track Rail:

As time went on Gilbert released one more of his revolutionary alterations - he re-designed the tracks for the S scale model trains, shifting away from the traditional 3 track rail utilized in model electric trains to date.

The three track rail at that time in standard use had the 2 outer tracks for the wheels to run on with the third, center track, conducting the electric current to drive the model train motor. The new 2 track rails made the designs seem more realistic as they now resembled authentic train tracks'. The development of these tracks to suit the more compact S scale model trains also permitted track designs to have curves of a different radius, more appropriate to the re-designed American Flyer locomotives and rolling stock.

Quite a few, if not most, of today's S scale model train enthusiasts had their first introduction to that scale using the American Flyer when, as a young person in the 50s, they received a set as a holiday present. During that period of time, the Flyer competed specifically with the Lionel model trains of that period and these two companies had been the market leaders.

These days the S scale model trains, which includes the long-lived American Flyer are increasing quickly in popularity again.

This is the end result of the Lionel Corporation, the forerunner of the current maker of Lionel trains, Lionel LLC, having acquired the legal rights to the American Flyer from the organization that had bought the rights from A C Gilbert when his company became belly up in 1967.

Lionel Corporation was itself in economic troubles at that point, and went through the hands of several owners before attaining its existing incarnation as Lionel LLC in 1996. But for some time that new company initially focused on creating and marketing its own HO and HO27 models and did little to encourage the supporters of S-scale. Since 2002 however, Lionel LLC has been introducing new models of S scale model trains - much to the joy of these fans.

There is really a range of organizations and associations to cater to the interests of S-scale model railroaders. A very good example, the National Association of S-Gaugers, that is also associated with the National Model Railroad Association, has a very energetic membership. Their website that offers information on activities, events, suppliers, and archived reference materials, also has links to S-Gauge clubs in twenty nine states as well as Canada and the UK. And there are two Yahoo Groups - S-Trains and S-Scale.

S Scale model trains, and all the appropriately scaled accessories, are now produced by many suppliers and focus on a number of different segments within that scale - primarily the American Flyer, the standard S-gauge and Proto:64 being the main ones.

Following a long and checkered history, S scale model trains are certainly back in vogue once again.