Well Guys/Gals I Am Doing S It Works For Me

Welcome to S Scale and the S side of the Forum!

Rusty

If you are starting from scratch, really consider Flyerchief.  It is remote control that requires no special set up or additional transformers/power packs.  You can use AC or DC or if you have it DCC with no modifications.  Lionel/Flyer is coming out with more in this line and I love it.

Just a friendly suggestion to keep the costs down and enjoyment up.

Thanks Rusty and Francine.  I'm optimistic about S and its future.  One thing I will have to carefully consider is what track to use.  I assume that the Flyerchief has the larger flanges  with no option for smaller scale wheels.  Let me qualify myself here in that I do not care if you folks are traditional S gaugers or wish to keep it scale as I do it is all good I just need to find the right answers for my particular tastes.  I have some American Models track that I have used in S gauge cases and know it can handle both but you need to modify the turnouts when dealing with scale by adding some kind of a shim?  The track looks nice though.  I know that there is many other brands of S track.

Anyone who views this can you please provide input regarding track?  It would be very beneficial for other newbies to S. 

In selecting track I recommend you first be certain what kind of equipment you plan to operate and what appearance you desire for the finished layout. The AM track system is a good product. It works well and has two sizes in turnouts. It provides a near scale appearance. If you want to use the original Gilbert turnouts then GarGraves is a good choice. FasTrack from Lionel has two turnout sizes and two track radii as well and the turnouts work directly from the Legacy system.

The SHS, now MTH track is the closest to scale that will operate all high rail equipment. The weakness is lack of wide radius turnouts. I chose the MTH flex track and had turnouts custom made that will operate high rail and scale wheel equipment. The downside of this alternative is high cost.

Be aware that is S most equipment is scale length or near to scale so the minimum radius for good appearance is wider than is initially obvious. All but scale equipment will operate on 20" radius curves.

Also be aware that Fasttrack (AF/Lionel) is coming out with wider radius in the future (from a reputable unnamed source).  Also both FastTrack and SHS/MTH can be easily modified to work together.  So the rail heights should be very similar.   Actually there is a post about it on this site.

When I move, my layout will be mostly FastTrack and maybe some Gargraves (monetary type thing).

You are correct, the FlyerChief does have larger flanges, but all equipment is scale (but can use some upgrades on small parts).

All my S gauge have Kadee couplers and scale wheels. If I were to build a layout, I would use Tomalco.

http://www.tomalcotrack.net/

Good luck.

Classy Woods, LLC posted:

Thanks Rusty and Francine.  I'm optimistic about S and its future.  One thing I will have to carefully consider is what track to use.  I assume that the Flyerchief has the larger flanges  with no option for smaller scale wheels.  Let me qualify myself here in that I do not care if you folks are traditional S gaugers or wish to keep it scale as I do it is all good I just need to find the right answers for my particular tastes.  I have some American Models track that I have used in S gauge cases and know it can handle both but you need to modify the turnouts when dealing with scale by adding some kind of a shim?  The track looks nice though.  I know that there is many other brands of S track.

Anyone who views this can you please provide input regarding track?  It would be very beneficial for other newbies to S. 

Your assumption about FlyerChief is correct. 

Right now, the only Lionel/Flyer locomotives that can be converted to scale wheels are the U33C, SD70ACe and ES44.  Replacement wheels are available through Lionel.  The Y3 can still get an aftermarket scale conversion, but I don't know for how much longer as the fellow that did them has sold the business.

Additionally, the SD70's and ES44's are DCC compatible out of the box.

As to track, I've been using a combination of Shinohora code 100 flextrack (from Scenery Unlimited) and some Old Pullman (out of S and maybe out of business) and Shinohora turnouts for about 30 years.

**Added some shots from the Great Scenery Blitz of 2007:**

AM track is pretty bulletproof, but you will have to add that shim to the inside of the guardrail for reliable scale wheel operation on the diverging route.  I don't know how thick the shim should be as I've never done it.

As mentioned above, Tomalco track is also available.

Rusty

Welcome to S......... always been a cool detailed scale. luv my 2 loops of stuff

Classy Woods, LLC posted:

...  Since I am starting in S from scratch I will be a scaler.  I want to model the 60's to 80's and there is a good selection of product out there to fit.  I have been buying used SHS and found the quality to be very nice.  There are nice buildings, a lot of farm stuff out there in 1/64 cars etc.  I realize there are limitations in product selection but it seems at least for my needs, there is a lot out there...

Can you show us some pics of what you have so far?

I plan on shooting lots of pictures as I go to share with everyone.  I have one kid left at home who will be a senior next year so I am starting to ramp up.  My business keeps me hopping but I need to do a hobby and really am excited to dive into S.

All I have right now are some used SHS pieces and I have not had time to work on them but I'll take a few pics as I have a photo area in my shop.  I am very impressed with them and love the size!

Again thanks to all offering a warm welcome.  I am ready to have some fun and grow with the rest of you.  Well back to work.

Mike

Classy Woods, LLC posted:

For many years I have contemplated what to do for my layout.  I have collected both O and HO and figured I'd sell what I did not end up using.  Neither ever felt right for me.  My room is only 17'x15' and O72 chews up the space.  HO just always felt too small for me.  Since I am starting in S from scratch I will be a scaler.  I want to model the 60's to 80's and there is a good selection of product out there to fit.  I have been buying used SHS and found the quality to be very nice.  There are nice buildings, a lot of farm stuff out there in 1/64 cars etc.  I realize there are limitations in product selection but it seems at least for my needs, there is a lot out there.

Looking forward to learning more any help is appreciated.  I know there must be other guys out there in a similar boat and hope we can pick up more participants in S.

Yep, S scale/gauge is the "Goldilocks scale"  Not too big, not too small - just right size.

Another overlooked benefit of S gauge is that the community is small enough to feel like a "community." As you have already experienced, S gaugers are wonderfully helpful and welcoming. Many know each other by name, and the smaller manufacturers will pick up the phone and assist customers when called. It may be a result of feeling a bit like an underdog when scrolling G/O/HO/N/T/Z hobby websites or the sense of having to go it alone and building it yourself, but the cooperation and sharing of information is an aspect of S gauge/scale I have appreciated as much as highly detailed models that are smaller than pets. Welcome to the perfect size!

As others have said Mike, welcome to "S". While my layout is predominately "O" 3 rail, I made sure i had a loop of "S" on the inside to run the "S" equipment I've coveted and enjoyed over the years. 

I went with American Models flex track along with their turnouts. Fo the most part I really like the track; the only issue is shorting sometimes at the frog area either from wheels that may be out of gauge or incomplete coverage of the sides of both converging rails at the frog. Old school Flyonel wheels and at times some of the new scale offerings from Flyonel will sometimes spark at that point if my "insulating shim" i.e. electrical tape wears away or is displaced. When ballasted, it does look weathered to a degree. I run Flyonel, original Flyer + SHS diesels.

Attached are some photos..

 Enjoy the new layout and hobby!