--- In [email protected], "Scott" <steamtramper@...> wrote:
>
> Hi all. My name is Scott Huston and I am guilty of rubber gauging because I
> can't find a good balance between size vs room I have available. I keep
> coming back to the notion of S scale because its large enough for me to
> scratch build buildings and scenery while having a small enough footprint to
> fit the room I have. I have looked at the S scale model railroading homepage
> and see they list 2 outlets for trains, American Models and S Helper.
> My confusion comes from the fact it appears they are both AF compatible or
> 3 rail. The only other S Scale I can find is Lionel's AF S gauge stuff. Are
> any of these manufacturers producing accurate 1'64th scale steam locomotives
> and rolling stock? If not...who does?
> I am not a rivet counter and don't need a hundred little details on my
> rolling stock but I do want it to be to scale.
> Any advise would be very welcome.
> Almost forgot to ask, What is the fundamental difference between American
> Flyer and other S scale offerings?
>
>
> Thanks for your time,
> Scott Huston, Las Vegas NV
>
Hi, Scott.
In a nutshell...
American Models:
Think "the Athearn of S." Good runners, moderately detailed. Nothing to
apologize about. Detail has gotten better on the newer models.
Offers all products as S Scale(DC, Scale flanges, dummy "snap lock" scale
coupler or Kadee, depending on the locomotive,) S-HiRail(DC, Flyer compatible
flanges and couplers,) or totally Flyer compatible(AC, 3 position electronic
reverse unit, Flyer compatible wheels and couplers. A crude sound system is
available on some models.)
When ordering, locomotives or cars, you have to specify how you want it.
Helper Service:
Accurate S Scale products. All products(except the 2-8-0) are shipped "flyer
compatible" with deep flanges and Flyer compatible couplers attached.
Freight cars have scale wheels included in the box, you supply the Kadee
couplers.
Diesel locomotives are defaulted with a 3-position electronic reverse unit and
Flyer compatible wheels and couplers attached. Scale wheels are included in
the box. The F-Units also have the SHS scale Kadee compatible couplers
included.
Internally, SHS locomotives have an 8-pin DCC plug inside so you can unplug the
reverse unit, install the shorting plug and you're good to go on straight DC.
You can install a DCC decoder of your choice of specify AC, DC DCC or DCC
w/sound on most locomotives when ordering.
The 2-8-0 is a special case. No separate scale wheels are included. You have
to specify scale or Flyer compatible wheels (scale wheeled ones are currently
sold out) and AC, DC, DCC or DCC sound.
S Scale America: Currently a selection of modern and steam era freight cars is
available. Many are assembled versions of the old Pacific Rail Shops kits.
Well detailed, equipped with Flyer compatible wheels and couplers. Scale
wheels included, you supply the Kadee couplers.
An SD45 is currently under development. It will be somethin'!
Smoky Mountain Model Works:
Small production run scale resin kits. Excellent well detailed kits, not
difficult but do require time and some care in assembling. No longer caters to
the HiRail market.
Then there's River Raisin: Limited run brass locomotives and a smattering of
freight cars. Super-deluxe. Priced accordingly.
Lionel:
Outside of the reissues of "classic" Flyer, the Mikado's and Pacific's of
recent years are very nice, but they have deep Flyer Flanges. Same for the
Challenger. No conversions are available.
The U33C is currently the only locomotive by Lionel/Flyer to try to attract the
scale market with scale wheels that you have to request from customer service.
The Jury's out on the U33C.
There have been occasional rumblings of new scale detailed rolling stock from
Lionel/Flyer over the years, but nothing has materialized yet.
As you can see, most of the manufactures have made adjustments to attract the
American Flyer folks, but they are scale products.
Rich G(ajnak)
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