American Flyer Curve Track

David:

Your old AF track can be bent to a wider radius.  There's a guy in the Silver hall at York that does that primarily for Lionel Super O track but I believe that he can do it for any size track.  He also will provide instructions for those who want to do it themselves.   

Bill

Daviddp posted:

I just increased the size of my S-gauge layout and I am using standard American Flyer Track made by Gilbert.  The radius of the new layout is about much wider than the size of the curve track.  Is there any way to use the old track to align with the wider radius?  I really do not want to buy new wider curve track because I have a considerable amount of old curve track.  Thanks...

First: If you're using Gilbert track, you can intersperse a straight piece between a piece of curved track to open up the radius a bit, depending on where you place the straights. But it makes the curve "choppy".

Second: You could also look for K-Line wider radius curves.  It hasn't been made in a while, but maybe an eBay search will turn some up.  Inserting a piece in a curve will do the same thing as inserting a straight, but will make the transitions easier, especially if you use it as an easement into the curve.  A full 180° curve with K-Line curves will give you a 54" diameter (if I remember correctly.. and I usually don't). Just inserting two pieces of the wider radius at the apex of the curve will give a nice fit on a 4' wide table. 

Third: If you really feel brave, you could re-bend the standard radius to a larger one.  I've done it, and it's not that hard.  It requires a bit of hand bending, but it's worth it.  Just keep the gauge constant.  I've kept the metal ties in place, and that helps. 

Good luck!

https://ogrforum.com/topic/track-bender

Manual includes templates for: O27 profile -  O27, O50, O58, O66 & O74

          O31 profile - O31, O64, O75 & O86

         Super-O profile - O36, O48, O60 & O72

         Standard Gauge -  O42, O57, O72 & O87

         AF-S profile - S38, S46, S54, S62, S70 & S78

Very detailed instructions with lots of tips.

If you spring for some Gargraves flex track, you can bend it however you want, plus it hooks directly to old Gilbert track. That is certainly easier/cheaper than re-bending Gilbert track.