| The S-scale, known also as the S-gauge, for model | | | | This is the result of the Lionel Corporation, the |
| trains is designed on the ratio of 1:64 [that is, 3/16 | | | | predecessor of the present manufacturer of Lionel |
| inches = 1 foot] and fits between the popular HO and | | | | trains, Lionel LLC, having purchased the rights to the |
| O model train scales. It met the demands for a scale | | | | American Flyer from the company which had bought |
| which was larger than HO [which was considered too | | | | the rights from A C Gilbert when his company |
| small by many model railroaders] but smaller than the | | | | became bankrupt in 1967. |
| popular O scale thus allowing track layouts to be | | | | Lionel Corporation was itself in financial difficulties at |
| constructed in smaller spaces. | | | | that time, and went through the hands of several |
| Although S-gauge model trains had been around since | | | | owners before reaching its present incarnation as |
| the early part of the century, it began to boom with | | | | Lionel LLC in 1996. But for some time that new |
| the advent of the re-designed American Flyer model | | | | company initially concentrated on producing and |
| trains first produced by The A.C.Gilbert Company in | | | | marketing its own HO and HO27 models and did little |
| Connecticut, USA, during the late 1930s. The famous | | | | to inspire the devotees of S-scale. Since 2002 |
| American Flyer model trains, which had been produced | | | | however, Lionel LLC has been introducing new models |
| since the early part of the century initially as clockwork | | | | of S-scale model trains - and heartening those |
| model trains, then later, as electric trains, were radically | | | | enthusiasts. |
| re-designed by Gilbert when he bought the original | | | | There is a range of organizations and associations to |
| company. These trains were built to S-scale but ran on | | | | cater for the interests of S-scale model railroaders. A |
| standard O-gauge tracks. | | | | peak body, the National Association of S-Gaugers, |
| Some years later Gilbert introduced another of his | | | | which is also associated with the National Model |
| radical modifications - he re-designed the tracks for | | | | Railroad Association, has a very active membership. |
| the S-scale trains, moving away from the traditional | | | | Their website which provides information on activities, |
| three track rail used in model electric trains to that | | | | events, suppliers, and archived reference material, also |
| date. | | | | has links to S-Gauge clubs in 29 US states as well as |
| The three track rail then in general use had the two | | | | Canada and the UK. There are even two Yahoo |
| outer tracks for the wheels to run on with the third, | | | | Groups - S-Trains and S-Scale. |
| centre track, carrying the electric current to drive the | | | | S-Scale model trains, and all the appropriately scaled |
| model train motor. The new two track rails made the | | | | accessories, are now produced by a number of |
| layouts seem more realistic as they now looked like | | | | manufacturers and cater for several different |
| 'real train tracks'. The development of these tracks to | | | | segments within that scale - mainly the American Flyer, |
| suit the smaller S-scale model trains also allowed track | | | | the standard S-gauge and Proto:64 being the major |
| layouts to have curves of a different radius, more | | | | ones. |
| appropriate to the re-designed American Flyer | | | | After a long and checkered history S-scale model |
| locomotives and rolling stock. | | | | trains are certainly back in vogue again. |
| Many, if not most, of today's S-scale enthusiasts had | | | | To quote Craig O'Connell from his "S" Scale Model |
| their first introduction to that scale with the American | | | | Railroading Homepage website: |
| Flyer when, as a youngster in the 1950s, they received | | | | "S scale is one of the fastest growing scales within |
| a set as a Christmas present. During that period, the | | | | model railroading today and is growing in leaps and |
| Flyer competed directly with the Lionel model trains of | | | | bounds. Why? Because you need only 10% more |
| that time and these two companies were the market | | | | space than HO to operate, our products are |
| leaders. | | | | proliferating in the market place and S scale products |
| Today the S-scale model trains, including the long-lived | | | | run reliably, track better and are easily modeled to |
| American Flyer are rising rapidly in popularity again. | | | | prototypical accuracy. |