Introduction to S Scale: American Flyer Sets and Locomotives
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- Опубликовано: 27 авг 2024
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S Scale, as Jonathan Hatfield has pointed out, ranges from simpler ready-to-run models as in James's excellent review to plastic or brass models with exquisite detail. There are several manufacturers who provide a fairly wide variety of locomotives and rolling stock. S scale does not take up as much room as the larger O scale models and has the benefit of prototypical two rails instead of three. Although HO has far greater choices engines and cars, its smaller size can pose a problem for those who want to model in exacting detail but don't have the eyesight or skills to do microscopic surgery. As many modelers have noted, it is the "perfect scale" between the larger O scale trains and the tiny HO trains.
Amen and Amen. We need to tutor this guy in just what can be done in true S scale.
I am getting back into model railroading and this video sold me on the S scale
S has an advantage over some other scales in that finding compatible vehicles is easy. Good review James
The disadvantage of s is finding building kits is difficult. Rather finding variety is difficult. I collect diecast and build dioramas, and rr buildings look better than buildings diecast makers put out.
Hot wheels cars are 1/64 scale
The Baldwin Switcher, (for those who don't know) is a Baldwin VO1000 Yard Switcher.
It was my father's American Flyer set that he had a kid that got me into model railroading. That old engine that was actual metal that felt like something when you picked it up was awesome. The motor was burned out and the power pack was dead. I finally got it running 30 years later when I married my wife and her father was the local Lionel sale/service person in town way back when. He fixed it for a Christmas present and now runs as good as new 60 years after my father bought it. Great memories and thanks for covering this topic!
Thanks for covering S gauge. I hope more will follow.
That Baldwin switcher set is great. I had no idea that the Baldwins have sounds now. I ragged on Lionel to do that for years I think. Congratulations to them! The new reefers are looking better to me now. A double unit Baldwin set with sounds and that realistic horn plus smoke in the dummy unit would sell with 6 cars. Track and transformer could be optional I think but that might make the set very desirable as a good start into having an American Flyer layout and a nice start for a collection.
Fantastic attention to a fantastic sized scale of model trains. Thanks James!
Thanks for the review. I'm still at a loss on what the scales are in relation to its size. By you holding an S scale train in your hands I can clearly see the scale size, and when you had held both train scales in hand it made more sense to me.
I think you are confusing scale with gauge. He called it scale but when you are comparing track you are actually comparing gauge. Scale is the actual size of the models (it does not have to be trains). For instance Z scale models are smaller than N scale models are smaller then HO scale models are smaller than S scale models are smaller than O scale models are smaller than Standard scale models etc. When AC Gilbert first began making 1/64th scale trains he actually made them for 0 gauge track. So the trains were smaller than Lionel trains but ran on the same track. The same is true for Marx 0 gauge trains. Gauge simply refers to how far apart the rails are. So Z scale rails are closer together than N gauge rails are closer together than HO gauge track are closer together than S gauge track. etc. When you get to O gauge and Standard gauge it is harder to see because these tracks use 3 rails most of the time, not 2. But they are talking about the outside rails, not the inside 3rd rail. Many modern Garden trains are similar in size to Standard scale but run on 2 rail G gauge track. Confusing, huh?
I love this video. It's not the first time I've watched it. I want to experience opening a new set like James is on Christmas morning.
S Scale has always been at the corner of my eye. I’ve been highly attracted to this scale, but I guess I never got into it. Now I want to.
TheRailroadGuru American Flyer traditional Gilbert trains are the best. That S scale stuff is boring that some companies are making. Stick to the toy train look and you will see they are realistic just like A.C. Gilbert said in his 1950s catalogs. Buy them on ebay and study them before buying the wrong stuff you did not know anything about.
TheRailroadGuru , American Flyer is not S scale like the other stuff is. It is the real old toy train S gauge that looks more realistic than any other trains ever made. With smoke and choo choo and the best looking trains in that scale, AF is the real S gauge. Other S gauge train don't have the whitewalled steamers or style of the gorgeous AF Hudson nor can they pull 40 or more cars like AF can. Put your money into AF because we want Lionel to keep coming out with more traditional Gilbert AF, not that modern stuff. There is a ton of AF for sale on ebay but if you buy used trains, you have to know the products and learn about condition etc. If there are and missing or broken, chipped parts I don't want it period. You have to be experienced to buy most used AF.
@@michaelgmoore5708 AF is not true scale at all. Some of the older Gilbert stuff is kind of nice, and some of it is very collectable, but the BEST is modeling S scale with scale-sized rail (code 100 or less), and with near-prototype size wheel standards (NASG-NMRA standards)--and where the freight car ladders are NOD molded on like HO Athearn stuff. I can smell AF a mile away, and it will not run on my scale track, and my stuff will not run on AF track. AF is NOT true realism in S. AF, even the nicer stuff, is simply toy trains. But if you don't mind your rail being a scale 14 inches high (would that be scale #500 pound rail??), then AF should be your baby.
A scale is the most underrated scale because it is the perfect size
Great review of S scale. It is a different scale. Thanks for sharing
Lionel did a great job with that set. Really great sounds also!
Your so right brother never much about american flyer now days!! i grew up with my dads huge flyer collection! AC Gilbert was a genius.. American great inventor/ toy making.. Thanks for the video!!!
Cool to see you reviewing something different today
at least theres no 3 rails like normal Lionel tracks
alexander1485 yes American Flyer is the real S gauge. I think of it as the most realistic toy trains ever made. No other so called S scale trains even come close to style, performance or price. There is more American Flyer New and old to keep you from having everything. Smoke, choo choo, electronic whistles and diesel horns sound like real trains. Get some old AF catalogs and Lionel produced catalogs from 2012 to 2017 when AF still had its own catalog. Now the AF offerings are in the O gauge Lionel catalog twice a year but still has its own section in the back.
@@michaelgmoore5708 remember there have been many manufacturers of S, American flyer being but one, likely the most successful, but other prewar and postwar S manufacturers did some very nice items
Nice job and good explanation and well thought out presentation, T/Y
Great video! I may model n scale (as my channel name suggests), yet I really love s scale. Unfortunately, I don’t own any s scale models, but I am looking to change that and this video provided some great insight as to what is out in the market. Thanks.
Technically, O-27 is 1/64th scale as well, it's just in O gauge, which is wider than S. Back in the day it was Lionel's answer to American Flyer when the two were still separate companies.
Love it great job!
Thanks for the review. If I may add a little more detail about S... S has several sub-categories. American Flyer (both old and the new Lionel AF )operate on Hi-Rail track and can be very traditional toy train like as this set is, or it can be very detailed and scale proportioned so well that it could be mistaken for a big HO layout. There is also S "scale" which refers to finer wheels, rails, and kadee couplers (these can also be found in Hi-rail). This is very similar to HO only done in 1/64 vs. 1/87 scale. There is also a narrow gauge portion of S known as Sn3 which is 1/64 scale models on 3 ft gauge track. Part of the problem S has is that the different groups can be a bit confusing to newcomers. The best advice I can give is to visit the www.NASG.org website or checkout the S Scale Facebook page: facebook.com/groups/Sscale/ S truly is the perfect size once you see it in person. Don't blame me if the S bug bites you though :) You may never want to go back to HO or O. That's what happened to me...
I Like This Video, James.
Another great vid James!
Its the primary scale of collectible cars...which seems like it would make it more popular among cross-collectors.
As you’re pulling the items out of the box 1:40 all I can see is glare from the lights hitting the plastic wrapper
You should review a legacy equipped American flyer sd70ace
Nice review but what about covering some actual American flyer trains
Nice set with sounds. Both the dockside and baldwin has good sound and detail. Guess they did not find room for the smoke unit in this docksider. My 2007 dockside set has smoke and choo choo and both front and rear lights. Really runs great.
There is a gigantic difference between S scale and S gauge. S scale = scale models, S gauge = Xmas morning toys. learn the difference.
I'd like to point out that much like Lionel's O scale locos there are both Legacy and Flyer chief variants that you can get Legacy loco's having access to more features as well as being more detailed than the Flyer chief loco's
S scale seems much more durable and reliable than HO. Which baffles me it isn't more popular.
The s scale polar express set is more in intriguing than the o gauge since s scale locomotives tenders is diecast .
Nice work James, S scale is not that popular but it’s cool that you showed everyone what S scale is like.
By my GP40-2W’s have come in and I am planning on doing my first video on the locos in my opinion.😉
Are you going to review the HO Atlas GP40-2W’s?
Great job again James have a good night.😊❤️🌙👍🏻👍🏻
That is NOT what S Scale is like. That is just super cheap toy trains, kind of in the American Flyer tradition, sort of. I model in true S scale. Scale size rail, (actually I hand lay), near scale size wheels (but the NMRA does have Proto-64 standards), and a few do model in that. But "''Flyer" won't run on my "scale S" track and vice versa. "Scale S" is very accurate, as accurate as anything in HO or O, including some really nice brass. A couple of my scratch-built models have won "Best of Show" at division NMRA shows. I keep American Flyer as far away from my Scale S modeling as I can. What you see in this video is nothing at all like what I model.
If my dad were to have watched this back in 1959 when he received his first flyer (franklin 88) I honestly think his head would've exploded.
@Tony’s Trains Can't have one without the other imo lol. Tech has come a long way for sure but it is a testament to the durability of the AF trains made back then to see 70yr old scale locomotives still going.
Interesting thing in terms of the rails is that the next scale being O, the O scale rails are practically the same size as G-scale. Huge! Never understood why.
S scale rail is not too much bigger than HO in terms of rail size and is quite adequate.
How come the catalogs don't say any thing about sound in the Baldwins
Lionel never specifies which Baldwin's have sounds. They made many American Flyer Baldwin's but no information about the ones with sound at all.
I wish somebody would do a video on how to use your old A.F. switch tracks with the Fastrack.
They make transition track so this is possible but I can't figure it out myself. I actually have to see it done.
Housye many extra cars could you add without power problem
Now I want a scale
Just because of the American flyer southern 2716
I liked you video, except like the older American Flyer 1948 and up
Between HO and N scale is T scale
🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂S Scale narrow gaugeSn3½ or Sn42 gauge - 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) gauge on 16.5 mm (0.65 in) gauge track (the same as HO gauge)
S gauge is pretty weird. It probably wouldn't have taken off if American Flyer didn't make it after World War II (probably so that all the S Gauge profit goes to them, but it also means it can be hard to come by)
I recently got a circle of old-style S gauge track with two striaghts, two turnouts with a controller for them, a very beat up crossing gate, and a very nice oil derrick for free. I plan to sell them on eBay since I don't know many people who run S gauge and S gauge is hard to come by
James, since you had the chance to operate S scale for the last several months, what is your feedback operation-wise of S, compared to HO and N?
Also, AF is only the tip of the iceberg. There is also American Models, which offers several products in both Hi-rail (like the AF items) and Scale (which uses scale-sized wheelsets and couplers, along with operating on DC power), S-Helper by MTH (which features Hi-Rail out of the box, but can easily be converted to scale), and S Scale America (which offers a line of very detailed RTR freight cars in Hi-Rail out of the box, but includes scale wheels ).
Being in between, does the behavior of S gauge and it’s track remind you more of HO? Or does it remind you more of O?
No, more of Quality HO because of two rail and decent size to have a lot on a small layout. Smoke and Choo-choo is great and easy to put on the track is better for everyone. I have collected American Flyer Trains since 1956 . Gilbert History will surprise you. Lionel is American Flyer and has made great new stuff since 1979.
Where did you get this
I wish there was more of a selection of S scale/1:64 scale trains & sets.
Either that or I wish a company like hot wheels/matchbox would make HO scale or O scale cars & trucks.
The selection of vehicles for HO & O is so outdated & small. I have OCD so I can’t put my Hot Wheels or matchbox cars with HO scale because of the difference in size.
It’s like the model train companies are just not tuned into the modern world. I also have never liked the 3rd rail look from O scale. My dream would be to have either a nicely done & large selection of S scale or have a better selection of HO scale vehicles.
I also wouldn’t mind seeing a better selection of vehicles in N scale.
I just wish the model train industry would mesh more with the toy car / model car industry. Some of the bigger scale metal cars with rubber wheels & hoods that open would be awesome if they lined up with the bigger train scales.
is the camera in your train room a security camera?
Some docksiders come with smoke. The sound is great and I am getting used to the new reefer, looks darn good. American flyer is only real S scale. Far better. Forget that other stuff because it has no Gilbert style.
I have been bugging Lionel for years to install sounds in those boring Baldwins. Can you tell someone at Lionel that I want to see the old 2 unit Seaboard Baldwin set 21918 with sound and smoke? I would buy those if they have the smoke and that would be a first for Baldwins. When did they start putting sounds in that Baldwin set. I have the 2019 vol 1and2 but nothing is shown as sets for the Baldwins. Maybe they will be in the new Lionel catalog for 2020? Thanks for having the American flyer set on your show. Doesn't that Docksider set have smoke? Those new reefers are not at all like the classic Gilbert AF Reefers last one made in 1997. Lionel should make those again to be true American Flyer.
Great set, no smoke? My 2007 Docksider set has smoke and choo choo and a real transformer. much better than that set. I do like that whistle tho. Can you run one of the big heavy weight passenger sets pulled by a steam engine? Thank you James for finally showing American Flyer.
That's sweet
What year did Lionl put sounds in the Baldwins. I sold my 2002 Seaboard because it was too boring wiithout sound. A double unit Baldwin set should be built with sounds and smoke. Don't you think that would be a great seller for us American flyer fanatics? Lionel and Gilbert built an awful lot of realistic trains that no one else could match in the most perfect size.
The old american flyer diecast are the best. O gauge looks to short and fat not realistic and ho is just 2 dam small.
Csongor Stelcz If HO is too damn small, N Scale would be prefect for you ! 😎
I would buy more S scale if there was more out there. I have always thought ho was too small and O was too big
Gavin M. There is a ton of American Flyer out there on the net. Buy some 1950s catalogs by Gilbert and learn that AF is the only way to go to have everything you want and to have more fun too.
American flyer old rare stuff is more expensive than any Lionel I can promise you that. Seen flyer boxed sets go over $7000
There is a lot of non-Flyer stuff out there (including brass) that is much more realistic and true to scale than American Flyer.
@@ioanekirarahu951maybe true scale but brass costs too much and not exciting.
@@michaelgmoore5708 Wow! How can you say that? Brass is very exciting, realistic, and while you do pay more for it, it retains its value far more than plastic. This is especially true (exciting and realistic) when you scratch build it yourself.
Expense.....
Cute. Like something out of 50's. Not as good as Gilbert
O scale lite
American Flyer is the best and the right size. Not too big and not too small. Nice to look at over and over again. Gilbert said they were the most realistic electric trains evet made. I do like HO tho as long as it is Italian made. Riverossi is one of my favorites. I don't like S scale stuff at all if it is not Americam Flyer because it looks funny and lumpy. Not sleek looking like only American Flyer is.
S gauge is American flyer to be realistic. S scale stuff is too weird looking made by other mfrs. Even Lionel makes those ugly cylindrical hoppers that Gilbert would have never made. Iove the sound in that baldwin. The ones without sound were boring as you can get. That new reefer is not too bad but the traditionl Gilbert style ones look better.
I only buy genuine Gilbert made American Flyer. I don't like the Chinese sourced trains.
Whoa I'm kinda early
So, more expensive and less detailed than the O scale offerings. Bit of a weird niche.
This little toy train set is NOT representative of the excellent equipment and realism that is available and can be done doing 'Scale S', not American Flyer toy trains. The current NASG-NMRA "Scale S" standards are very accurate, and the equipment available (including considerable brass) is tons and tons more realistic than American Flyer, especially that cheap cheap set you show in this video. You should do a video where you focus on a nice "Scale S" layout, using scale-size rail, code 100 or less. I hand lay all my track, but you can also buy ready made switches and flex track in "S" that uses code 100 or less. The very common and ubiquitous code 100 rail in S is perfect size for 115# rail. Do a nice video on "Scale S," not AF toy trains.
You do a video grumpy Gus.
@@jackburton4861 - There is already one where I talk about "Finescale S," a video posted by "Toy Man Television. Do a YT Search for ""."S" Scale in Fine Scale - John Pratt's Wonderful Scratch Built S Scale Model Trains." Enjoy.
Unrealism and expense of 027 + Smaller size of HO = S? Interesting.
First!
Does anyone with 2 brain cells care
@@WalkerBulldog19 you used them to respond so I don't know, do you?
@@gettonmoreorless3741 na but Part Stupid is the name so what id expect