> I've never run an AmericanFlyer loco
> so I'm wondering given their age do
> they run well enough to make converting
> them to scale worth all the trouble?
> ....dave
Y'know....dave, I think you have a knack for asking very astute questions.
Welcome to the Astute Club! Everyone has their personal preferences, including
me, but this whole idea of scale wheels on AF locos is like mixing grapes with
bananas and calling it all "fruit". Or trying to mate elephants with squirrels
and calling it all "animal".
AF locos can be refitted with can motors and different gearboxes and can be
made to run quite well on DC or DCC. Personally, I'd find it easier to just
buy a used brass engine on eBay than to figure out how to convert an AF engine
to run on scale track. Which might explain why hardly anyone has ever done
that -- except back in the days when SSLS offered "conversion kits" designed to
make the job easier, but not easy.
Aside from the time requirements (considerable), the operating characteristics
(slow realism vs rockets), the costs and so forth, it seems to me that the
inherent inconsistency spoils the whole effect of a layout anyway. A really
good replica of a 1950s-style department store AF layout is a wonderful
creation. I have seen two of them over the years and enjoyed both of them.
Scale layouts are also a joy, but with a different kind of satisfaction. One
that emphasizes being realistic and authentic. Two different animals, if you
get my drift. Or, two different pieces of fruit.
The best layouts, in my view, are those that pick a theme and consistently
apply it throughout. Brooks Stover's layout is a good example of that concept.
So is Dick Karne's layout. Regardless of rail size and flange depth, both of
these layouts have a theme which is carried throughout. Consistency is
respectable and desired. And provides the "best" end result.
Would you serve hot dogs with Champaign? Or wear a tuxedo with sneakers? Why
not? Because it is inconsistent to an unacceptable degree. Same with model
railroad layouts. If you like toys (and there is nothing wrong with that),
then build a toy-like layout and enjoy it. If you like authentic realism, then
build a layout with that and enjoy it. But running an AF toy on a scale
layout, or vice versa, makes no sense to me at all. Sort of like serving pork
chops with your ice cream -- is it dessert or is it the entree? Nobody knows
and everyone gets confused. Except for the kids who like it all. And many of
us are just large-sized kids (myself included).
However, this is S gauge/scale where we are all known as individualists (or
else we'd be in HO) and, as Bill Lane says, "Dare to be different!" has sort of
become our theme song. So my consistency philosophy will probably fall onto
deaf ears because we all want it our way. Such is the world......
I am wondering if we need a new Yahoo Group dedicated to converting/improving
AF stuff? Not much scale conversation recently.
"S"miles....Ed L.
------------------------------------
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/
<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional
<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/join
(Yahoo! ID required)
<*> To change settings via email:
[email protected]
[email protected]
<*> 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/
