| -scale, known also as the S-gauge, for model | | | | popularity again. |
| trains is designed on the ratio of 1:64 [that is, 3 | | | | This is the result of the Lionel Corporation, the |
| 16 inches = 1 foot] and fits between the popular | | | | predecessor of the present manufacturer of |
| HO and O model train scales. It met the demands | | | | Lionel trains, Lionel LLC, having purchased the |
| for a scale which was larger than HO [which was | | | | rights to the American Flyer from the company |
| considered too small by many model railroaders] | | | | which had bought the rights from A C Gilbert |
| but smaller than the popular O scale thus allowing | | | | when his company became bankrupt in 1967. |
| track layouts to be constructed in smaller spaces. | | | | Lionel Corporation was itself in financial difficulties |
| Although S-gauge model trains had been around | | | | at that time, and went through the hands of |
| since the early part of the century, it began to | | | | several owners before reaching its present |
| boom with the advent of the re-designed | | | | incarnation as Lionel LLC in 1996. But for some |
| American Flyer model trains first produced by | | | | time that new company initially concentrated on |
| The A.C.Gilbert Company in Connecticut, USA, | | | | producing and marketing its own HO and HO27 |
| during the late 1930s. The famous American Flyer | | | | models and did little to inspire the devotees of |
| model trains, which had been produced since the | | | | S-scale. Since 2002 however, Lionel LLC has been |
| early part of the century initially as clockwork | | | | introducing new models of S-scale model trains - |
| model trains, then later, as electric trains, were | | | | and heartening those enthusiasts. |
| radically re-designed by Gilbert when he bought | | | | There is a range of organizations and associations |
| the original company. These trains were built to | | | | to cater for the interests of S-scale model |
| S-scale but ran on standard O-gauge tracks. | | | | railroaders. A peak body, the National Association |
| Some years later Gilbert introduced another of his | | | | of S-Gaugers, which is also associated with the |
| radical modifications - he re-designed the tracks | | | | National Model Railroad Association, has a very |
| for the S-scale trains, moving away from the | | | | active membership. Their website which provides |
| traditional three track rail used in model electric | | | | information on activities, events, suppliers, and |
| trains to that date. | | | | archived reference material, also has links to |
| The three track rail then in general use had the | | | | S-Gauge clubs in 29 US states as well as Canada |
| two outer tracks for the wheels to run on with | | | | and the UK. There are even two Yahoo Groups - |
| the third, centre track, carrying the electric | | | | S-Trains and S-Scale. |
| current to drive the model train motor. The new | | | | S-Scale model trains, and all the appropriately |
| two track rails made the layouts seem more | | | | scaled accessories, are now produced by a |
| realistic as they now looked like 'real train tracks'. | | | | number of manufacturers and cater for several |
| The development of these tracks to suit the | | | | different segments within that scale - mainly the |
| smaller S-scale model trains also allowed track | | | | American Flyer, the standard S-gauge and |
| layouts to have curves of a different radius, | | | | Proto:64 being the major ones. |
| more appropriate to the re-designed American | | | | After a long and checkered history S-scale model |
| Flyer locomotives and rolling stock. | | | | trains are certainly back in vogue again. |
| Many, if not most, of today's S-scale enthusiasts | | | | To quote Craig O'Connell from his "S" Scale Model |
| had their first introduction to that scale with the | | | | Railroading Homepage website: |
| American Flyer when, as a youngster in the | | | | "S scale is one of the fastest growing scales |
| 1950s, they received a set as a Christmas | | | | within model railroading today and is growing in |
| present. During that period, the Flyer competed | | | | leaps and bounds. Why? Because you need only |
| directly with the Lionel model trains of that time | | | | 10% more space than HO to operate, our |
| and these two companies were the market | | | | products are proliferating in the market place and |
| leaders. | | | | S scale products run reliably, track better and are |
| Today the S-scale model trains, including the | | | | easily modeled to prototypical accuracy. |
| long-lived American Flyer are rising rapidly in | | | | |