Getting Interested in American Flyer

If you type BSG or Badgerland S Gaugers into your browser you will find links to the Chicagoland and also Stateline S gauge clubs.

Ray

Hi J. White:

Welcome to S scale!  Hopefully, you'll overlook that fact that I am an S scale AWOL'er, however I was trying to amass a nice collection of scale-type models for a specific region in a relatively short amount of time. Not exactly the forte' of the scale side of S.

However, the AF side of S has a great following and they're typically not as wound-up tight about scale/regional accuracy as us scale nuts.

I say that to say: You'll enjoy your foray into AF!  It is really neat looking stuff. Some of that Flyonel stuff looks like it could be ton of fun in and of itself. (Especially the Flyonel Mikado.)

Welcome to the S forum J White. 

It may not really look like it, but us Scale Guys are really in minority here (it's just sometimes, were more vocal.)  there's a pretty good mix of interests here.

We don't bite...  Really...

Here's a link to CASG in the Chicago area:

http://www.trainweb.org/casg/

Badgerland in the Milwaukee area:

http://www.trainweb.org/bsg/

Stateline in the Rockford area:

http://state-linesgaugers.org/

There was a Hoosier S group, but I can't locate a working link for them.

Rusty

Thanks for the replies (and quickly too!). I saw two of the three clubs mentioned. The CASG would be perfect for me if the meetings were either earlier or at least on a different day. I somehow didn't notice they had a modular layout the first time I saw there website a few weeks ago. (It's only mentioned a few dozen times, including nearly every photo caption)

I've had a lot of fun in the O gauge modular club I am in, and think that would be the perfect way to dabble with a scale without investing a bunch of time, money, or space. A club with a permanent layout a few hours away wouldn't do me much good as I wouldn't be able to help out as much as I feel I should.

When I was at the TCA Natl Convention last year in St Louis, they had a great portable S gauge layout. That was where I saw how much better Plasticville looks on an S layout than on an O layout (and I think it looks plenty good on my O layout). If that club was more local, I would join it even if I had no interest in S; what a good group of guys.

J White

Phooey on the fastrack. The flyer track works just as well, and even better for a carpet railroad. The rubber road bed looks good and protects the carpet.

S gauge fastrack is more like HO track than anything else.

Hi J. White,

Welcome to the S Scale side! 

There is a lot of neat stuff that A.C. Gilbert produced and it's a lot of fun to get it working and running.  There are also some really nice products now being put out by MTH and Lionel American Flyer.  Also, American Models makes good running gear.

If you are considering the Flyer Fastrack, you might also look at the new track being produced by MTH which is very similar looking to the Fastrack.  MTH bought out the old S Helper Service line of track and equipment.  The new MTH stuff works with and looks just like the old SHS track which still can sometimes be found for sale on eBay and at train shows.

Good luck!

Mike A.

I've seen the rubber roadbed for Flyer track. I assumed that it was brittle with age. Is that generally not the case? Did they make it only for full straights and full (40" d) curves?

If I end up with a plastic roadbed system, I will likely stick with Fastrack. In the back of my mind I am picturing a crossing with O gauge and S gauge that would be fun to fit into a Christmas layout.

Thanks for the info thus far,

J White

The Gilbert roadbed remains pliable with age. Gilbert made it to use with Gilbert straight track and standard curves. There are aftermarket makers for larger radius curves.

Rich

I found some rubber roadbed on eBay, including some wider radius curve pieces. Of course, the Wheaton, Il show was today, so I'll have to wait til next month to see if I can do better there. I've got about 11 months before I will be needing them anyhow.

Thanks for the info,

J White

Good luck and have fun on your 'S' journey.  I dabble in AF, too:  One loop of my layout is GarGraves track for AF trains.  At the shows I attend, the guys in the AF club seem to be having more fun than anybody!

Agreed. I had AF tubular track up for my Christmas layout - it is well-made, cleans up easily and conducts well. I enjoyed it a lot. Since it is two-rail and curves are a little wider relative to the train size of O-gauge locos and cars on O-27 track, it looks a little more realistic. i like the way it looks anyway, and the trains take up less room. All that said, I took down my layout's Christmas village yesterday (which has two levels) and am going to replace one level with O-gauge track so I can run both gauges for awhile. They both have their appeal and I enjoy both. Enjoy!

The flyer rubber roadbed cleans to almost new looking after a trip in the dishwasher. No kidding!

Rich

Hi Everyone,

The only reason I am posting to this thread is I feel a newcomer should be given facts and then let them decide which way to go.  There is a world of difference between original Flyer track and any of the newer NS trackage systems.  The way it looks is entirely subjective and therefore up to the individual making the choices for the layout.  However, electrical conductivity and keeping the rail clean is an entirely different matter.  Trains perform better with better electrical continuity.  The tube style rail systems are made from poor conductive material with higher line loss.  To make matters worse, the surface corrosion of tube rails is non-conductive.  NS didn’t become the industry standard just because of looks.  NS oxidation is conductive.

To someone just starting in S gauge I would say to go with any of the solid NS rail systems before even thinking about the hollow tubing style rail systems.  Only use the tube if that is the look you are after.

Tom Stoltz

in Maine

Tom's points are true as far as it goes. However, the situation does depend upon what one is attempting to accomplish. If one is trying to achieve the original Gilbert 'look' and abide by what most readily compliments New Haven Flyer trains and accessories, Gilbert track with rubber road bed is arguably a better aesthetic choice. More than the tubular rails themselves, it is the track pin scheme that is the biggest conductivity issue for Gilbert track. Gilbert turnouts are much more readily available and less costly, as well. When they finally become available, Fastrack switches are going to be $$! YMMV.

Bob

I am one who does prefer the look of the Gilbert track and roadbed, my layout is done with this. The layout has approximately 200' plus of mainline but it has numerous drops for power, this track [original Gilbert tubular track] is not very conductive. For someone new to S the track is a cheap way to get started but for less frustration I would recommend the NS track. Having experience using both S Helper and Fasttrack, the Lionel product seems to be more robust for a Carpet Central type of layout that is assembled and disassembled regularly. 

Ray