[AmFlyer]

Dan, I have been staring at that site for several days to decide what I should get. ST has released the cars with, in most cases, two different road numbers plus they have made both Andrews and Bettendorf trucks. I just ordered three new cars yesterday from American Models, now I am looking at at least six more from ST on top of the four I already ordered. When the EV cabooses hit the site that will be another four from Scale Trains and I am guessing the cabooses will be around $100 with the lighting and DCC compatible electronics.

 

[djjeffr]

Tom,

Yes, I only ordered one of the boxcars, but previously ordered two of the gondolas. With everything I have planned for my Gilbert Postwar engines and my limited budget, I have to watch my $$.
I hope other folks order some items as well, showing support for S-gauge/scale.

Dan

 

[AmFlyer]

After due deliberation I have preordered three boxcars. That now makes 4 fishbelly hoppers and 3 boxcars on order from Scale Trains. I have two boxcars and a caboose shipping on Monday from American Models.
When I was on the phone with AM they volunteered that they are very close to cataloging their new Pacific with the revised cab and new tender. Since they were conversant I asked if there was any chance they would make another run of the streamlined Hudson. The answer was they are thinking about it but have not yet made the final decision.

 

[djjeffr]

Nice, and the way you describe the upcoming caboose, I can hardly wait to see it!

 

[AmFlyer]

Here are some of the roadnames from the 2019 MTH catalog. Unfortunately these were never made. This is what Scale Trains is working on releasing.

 

[Mikeh49]

A question for Tom: assuming the Scale Trains boxcars are accurately scaled, how will they look with AF boxcars, given that the AF are a small prototype, but reasonably accurately scaled, I think? We have likely seen a mix of MTH and AF in some of your pictures but probably did not pay attention. `We previously had a good discussion of the K-line somewhat oversized cars, and I have noticed them behind the loco in some of your recent photos. Curious.

 

[djjeffr]

They're sharp! I love the features on them. I'll definitely get one of those when they become available. I believe you mentioned DCC compatible? If I remember correctly, one mf'r offered a caboose that smoked, can't remember the gauge. And it didn't seem to last long on the market.

 

[AmFlyer]

Best to answer Mikeh49’s question with a picture. The Scale Trains steel rebuilt boxcars use the original SHS tooling with repairs and a few updates. I have a number of the SHS steel rebuilt cars. Here is a picture of an SHS car on the right coupled to a Gilbert car on the left.

 

[AmFlyer]

There are three makers of S gauge cars, Lionel, Scale Trains and American Models. AM has accurate models of a taller prototype. below is an AM car on the left coupled to a Lionel/Gilbert cars. Both are accurately scaled to their prototype and play well together on the layout. The outlier is K-Line which is just not 1/64th scale.

 

[Mikeh49]

Just what I was looking for. Thanks!

 

[AmFlyer]

Dan, I think what ST is doing with the caboose lighting related to DCC is to include a socket for a decoder that would allow turning the caboose lights on and off. Time will tell if my guess is correct.

 

[djjeffr]

They're sharp! I love the features on them. I'll definitely get one of those when they become available. I believe you mentioned DCC compatible? If I remember correctly, one mf'r offered a caboose that smoked, can't remember the gauge. And it didn't seem to last long on the market.
Got my own question answered. One smoking caboose was a Lionel Polar Express model.

 

[djjeffr]

Tom,
OK, makes sense with the lights. I was thinking along the same lines for smoke.

 

[AmFlyer]

Dan, Gilbert announced a smoking bay window caboose in 1958 but never put it into production. Lionel did make one in 2011 for $79.99. I have never seen it in person.

 

[chris m]

UPDATE --

The info below offer great information resource links to any S / AF guys. I've merged a few posts into this new Sticky thread, and would encourage you S guys to add helpful resources, manual links, etc. to the thread.

TJ ~ 18 Jan 2012

(Original post from Reckers follows ...)

====

Since S scalers are pretty scarce on the forum, right now, I thought drop a list of sites in here for those who come along with questions.

unionmangas.net
http://www.portlines.com/afrepairclinics.htm
American Flyer Trains | Gilbert History Toys American Flyer Trains Parts
http://www.americanflyerexpress.com...tock/Flat-Cars/american-flyer-products-directory-rolling-stock-flat-cars-02.htm
http://www.trainweb.org/s-trains/FAQ/FAQ.htm
http://www.trainweb.org/s-trains/diagram/wire.htm
http://www.geocities.com/theupstairstrain/infrastructure_Transformers.html
http://www.geocities.com/theupstairstrain/trains.html
http://www.portlines.com/portlinesclinic23.htm
unionmangas.net
Hacks Tips and Tricks | ehow
http://www.thortrains.net/flyrlay1.htm
http://www.building-your-model-railroad.com/model-railroad-wiring.html
http://www.csgnetwork.com/modrrscaleconv.html
http://www.thortrains.net/manualx.htm
http://myflyertrains.org/gallery/GilbertFactoryManual
http://pghbridges.com/basics.htm
http://www.nasg.org/index-mrplan.html

http://www.8thstreet.org/3R/ -- Three R Plastics, realistic railroad ties

This is information on the American Flyer 779 drum loader. I made two YouTube videos showing the mechanisms. Their titles are “American Flyer 779 mechanism” and “American Flyer mechanism comparison”.

It’s unique that a very substantial induction motor was originally used.

 

[AmFlyer]

Chris, those are great videos. thanks for reactivating and adding a link to the videos in this thread.

 

[AmFlyer]

This is probably the best place to post the following.
This morning I received an email from Dan Dawdy explaining they have decided to discontinue publication of the S Scale Resource Magazine. The last issue dated October/November 2024 will be the final issue. The website with the past issues will stay active for now.

 

[AmFlyer]

For those who do not check the Trainz web site daily, they just updated the site with a large collection of Train books/publications. By large, I counted about 3,000 items. Out of the lot I only spotted six S gauge publications but I could have missed some. If anyone is looking for books on specific railroads, engines, rolling stock, facilities, ROW equipment and practices, general modeling guides, and many other railroading areas it is worth scrolling through the site. Be aware many of the books are multiple volumes and the volumes are neither listed together nor in adjacent listings.