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About S Scale

S Scale and S Gauge: A.C. Gilbert American Flyer and Others

by Randall Roberts
for About.com

S scale is often regarded as synonymous with the American Flyer brand of model railroad trains. S scale is defined as 1:64 or 3/16ths of an inch to one foot. S scale's track gauge is an unusual 0.884 inches. S scale trains are manufactured in both AC and DC varieties, but unlike O scale both types use two-rail track. Once on the brink of extinction, S scale railroading has experienced a renaissance in the last two decades. This is one of the few scales in which I own no pieces. But I do admire some of the fine work being done in this somewhat exotic scale.

Some Thoughts on S Scale

S scale has made an impressive comeback in recent years, but among many model railroaders it still has something of an exotic mystique. Though my personal preference favors smaller scales, this is because I have very limited space for train layouts. Having said that, if you are familiar with my writings, you know my affinity for TT scale reflects my on fascination with the exotic. While I always consider space to be a major consideration in selecting a scale, if you have the room I think that S scale is well worth investigating. If I had the space I might well be putting together an S scale layout myself.

Acknowledgements

Many thanks to S scaler Pieter Roos for his assistance in revising this article.

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