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 American Flyer Trains 1960 Only Uncataloged  US $15.00
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 american flyer trains 26745 cross over track 90 with original box US $20.00
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 american flyer trains diesel horn US $20.00
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 American Flyer S GAUGE train red CABOOSE scale model line with box US $19.95
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 LeRoy House for American Flyer S scale trains US $19.99
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 2 AMERICAN FLYER NORFOLK WESTERN TRAIN CARS US $9.99
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 AMERICAN FLYER CANADIAN FOREST PRODUCTS FREIGHT TRAIN CAR US $7.99
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 AMERICAN FLYER TRAIN RARE US $550.00
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 AMERICAN FLYER TRAIN MINT IN BOX NIB ENGINE US $175.00
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 AMERICAN FLYER TRAIN B Unit MINT IN BOX NIB US $49.00
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 AMERICAN FLYER TRAIN CLOCK US $5.00
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 AMERICAN FLYER TRAIN Flatcar US $149.00
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 AMERICAN FLYER TRAIN B UNIT NIB US $49.00
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 AMERICAN FLYER TRAIN TANK CAR BEAUTIFUL US $39.00
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 AMERICAN FLYER TRAIN BEAUTIFUL CAR US $29.00
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 AMERICAN FLYER TRAIN BEAUTIFUL ENGINE US $59.00
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 AMERICAN FLYER TRAIN BEAUTIFUL ENGINE US $59.00
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 AMERICAN FLYER TRAIN RARE CANE IN THIS CONDITION US $99.00
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You know what you haven't come across but is probably to be the next big thing in 'hobbying'? What locomotives do hardcore model trainers lust after? What scale of toy locomotive do collectors go crazy for? Alright, here it is: s gauge model railroads. You got it? If you're not that acquainted with scales and gauges then you probably don't know that this isn't a standard gauge these days. You couldn't inform me if that is as big as g gauge locomotive or as small as an n gauge, huh? Alright so here's what you must know for your next toy railroader's meeting:
Here's a blast from the past, these s scale locomotives are "American Flyers":
In a way it begins and ends with American Flyer. Nostalgia explains a lot. American Flyer's s model railroads had their strongest days right after World War II when the baby boomers were starting to sprout up. This was in large part an attempt to keep up with Lionel's O scale who was the king of the roost through the 50's. S gauge is an "inbetween" size, way bigger than HO but smaller than Lionel's O. S scale is one 64th the size of a real train whereas Lionel's O gauge is one 48th the size. These are still pretty hefty but not so much so that you would have to have them only outside. These locomotives are a lot of fun to paint and decal.
S is not a standard gauge:
Because American Flyer in effect created s gauge and then went bankrupt just a few years after, you don't stumble across it much. A.C. Gilbert, who ran American Flyer at the time, produced this gauge as an attempt to make a brand of trains that would compete with Lionel by making high quality ones that weren't interchangeable with Lionel locomotives. American Flyer locomotives from the 50's only fit s scale and wouldn't work on Lionel's O. This also signifies that those hobbyists of the 's' trains in the 1960's, 70's and 80's had to make most of their accessories from scratch and to meticulously maintain their trains since replacement parts in the pre-internet age were difficult to come by. All of this has made American Flyer the Holy Grail of toy trains for many fans.
American Flyers are about to hit the model railroad market again:
American Flyer's arch-enemy Lionel bought them out in the 60's and is now looking to reinvigorate both brands by marketing the vintage 1950's toys that continue to be so loved by trainers. The s model toys they are due to re-manufacture should take the trainers community by storm. So any day now you may be seeing new toys in this scale and hobbyists will have yet another scale to decide between.
So if you want to get ahead of this wave, now's the time. This is when the early adopters hop in and check things out. Don't say I didn't give you a heads up later on. Remember when I told you about this little coffee house called Starbuck's. And you said no one would ever pay more just for some coffee.
Tom Taggart is a Model Train enthusiast. Here is more information on Model Train Scale. There is even more information about Model Trains on the website Model Train Tips.