My definition is that if you run AM and SHS products on code 125 or 148 rail, use what SHS calls "Flyer compatible" and AM calls "Hirail" wheels then you are a hirailer. A complicating factor is couplers. Many of my SHS and AM pieces use Kadee 802 or 808 couplers. I consider AF equipment to be "tinplate" even though most of it's plastic, because it was off the shelf toy trains, albeit darned good ones. A good hirail layout has realistic scenery.
The term hirail started prior to or during WW2 when people built scale like equipment to run with tinplate running gear on oversized rails.. There were interesting articles in Lionel's Model Builder magazine during WW2 where guys bashed Lionel tinplate 2-4-2 locos into 2-8-0s with realistic paint schemes. There seem to be as many definitions of hirail as there are s gaugers and I just gave my 2 cents worth. Chuck Smith, On matters of style swim with the current. On matters of substance stand like a rock. Thos. Jefferson (may be paraphrased) ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Degnan" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "POST : S-Scale Group" <[email protected]>; "POST : S Scale Model Railroading Group" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Sunday, October 02, 2005 3:18 PM Subject: [S-Scale Modeling] Question of ignorance... > Since I became interested in S scale, I have been under the impression that the terms "American Flyer" and "Hi-Rail" were references to the same standards... toys with pizza-cutter wheel flanges and low levels of detail and accuracy. but a recent comment by someone has me curious if my understanding is off-base a bit. So if there are, indeed any differences, can someone please relieve me of my apparent ignorance and educate me on the differences between the standards, type and make of models these terms refer to and to what type of models and the menufacturer(s) thereof either term refers? > > Confused and befuddled (as usual?)... > > > John Degnan > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Announcing : Seaboard Air Line's B-7 Box Cars In S Scale! > http://www.trainweb.org/seaboard/SALRoundRoofBoxCarProject.htm > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > To REPLY to the list, use REPLY ALL; to reply to the sender, use REPLY. For those of you on DIGEST mode, all REPLY messages go to the list (remember to edit the SUBJECT of your message). > > Change message settings, use our CALENDAR or LINKS, view shared files or photos, view the list archives, GO TO http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > To REPLY to the list, use REPLY ALL; to reply to the sender, use REPLY. For those of you on DIGEST mode, all REPLY messages go to the list (remember to edit the SUBJECT of your message). Change message settings, use our CALENDAR or LINKS, view shared files or photos, view the list archives, GO TO http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
