Hi all, just wanted to follow up to a thread I started in July 2013 about getting my kids into S-Gauge. At the time I was torn between high rail and scale and have spent the last year doing more research and made a few decisions (and purchases too!). While I've not been active in posting on this site, I do read nearly all the threads and everyone on this site has been extremely helpful.
We decided to stick with AF compatible equipment (Vintage AF, Lionel AF, and AM). For track, I'm going with Lionel Fastrack with transition pieces to original AF for the 720a turnouts I'll have to use until Lionel actually releases theirs (this has been hugely frustrating to wait nearly 2 years)
Finally, this year will be an American Flyer Christmas for the kids. We will have a layout under the tree with several switches to make things interesting.
Locomotives: American Flyer 303 Atlantic, American Flyer GP7 Diesel, AF Alco 466 (all mechanically sound units, but enough dings and scrapes that I won't be afraid to turn the kids loose with them).
Rolling Stock: Lighted caboose, tank cars, gondolas, searchlight car, and box cars. Also have a lighted four car chrome passenger set for the Alco
I've found some good deals on a Mikado Steam Engine, Lionel AF U33c, and a Lionel AF GP9 for when the kids are a little older and more careful.
My wife smiles and asks who will be more excited on Christmas, me or the kids? Hopefully all three of us!
