I have seen very few pictures of American Flyer layouts that use pikemaster track. Is this track system of poor quality? Was pikemaster made in response to Lionel
Super O track? I would like to get some feedback on this track system. To me pikemaster track looks very similar to American Models track!
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Well, I think it was a cheapening of the Flyer line. Fiber tie-strips, and inverted U shaped rails, and tight a radius.
If you saw them side by side, not like American Models at all.
It looks good from a distance, but it's made of cheap plastic ties and flimsy tin rails that bent easily. The radius is also much tighter than standard S track which is 40 inches. Even Gilbert had yo modify some engines to run on it.
Gandy
It was also used on the All-Aboard scenic display sets.
Bill
I would agree with the other comments about Pikemaster track. It was most similar to Fleischmann HO track of the late 50's, with fiber ties and inverted U shaped rails. As to layouts, I don't think it inspired many layouts. After all, it came in the latter years of Gilbert's existence when quality was on a steep decline. Gilbert did make some dealer displays featuring the track and they can be seen on the Americanflyerdisplays.org website. The following links will take you to 3 such layouts. http://www.americanflyerdispla..._displays/d28179.htm http://www.americanflyerdispla..._displays/d28230.htm http://www.americanflyerdispla..._displays/d28235.htm
The sharp radius of the track is very apparent.
Dale Smith
The links apparently didn't work so here are photos.
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