S gauge (American Flyer)
Welcome to the S Gauge / American Flyer page. Our new expanded model train plan inspired by the former NYC Gilbert Hall of Science Empire layout is now operational, with three trains simultaneously running on three separate loops of track and a small yard with several operating accessories. We run S Scale compatible trains and cars, including traditional American Flyer, American Models, former MTH & SHS and Lionel S gauge. We are now in the process of the scenery phase of this 8 x 24-foot plan with 2 of the several mountains completed.
We invite children and those young at heart to our free Open Houses to see the layout and run trains. See our main page & Facebook for dates, times and directions.
We will also run certain equipment, including locomotives and cars of guests. We are using traditional transformer controls and newer FlyerChief and Bluetooth remote control systems, which are protected by Dallee circuit breakers.
For those living in or visiting Upstate NY, just an hour or so north from Albany (NY State Capital), and close to Lake George and Saratoga Springs, we hope you will see us soon at the Chase Sports Center building, 22 Hudson Falls Road in South Glens Falls. We welcome new members. No prior experience is necessary to join and enjoy this wonderful and fun hobby.
We invite children and those young at heart to our free Open Houses to see the layout and run trains. See our main page & Facebook for dates, times and directions.
We will also run certain equipment, including locomotives and cars of guests. We are using traditional transformer controls and newer FlyerChief and Bluetooth remote control systems, which are protected by Dallee circuit breakers.
For those living in or visiting Upstate NY, just an hour or so north from Albany (NY State Capital), and close to Lake George and Saratoga Springs, we hope you will see us soon at the Chase Sports Center building, 22 Hudson Falls Road in South Glens Falls. We welcome new members. No prior experience is necessary to join and enjoy this wonderful and fun hobby.
Photo by Jeff Leighton
Photo by Jeff Leighton
Our portable layout displayed at the Glens Falls Shirt Factory Food Truck Event
Brief History
S Gauge / American Flyer or 1/64 scale trains have a history going back to 1938 when the toy maker A.C. Gilbert purchased American Flyer O Gauge trains which had been manufactured in Chicago. Gilbert moved the production of trains to Connecticut and redesigned the line to 1/64 scale proportions the following year. Although never as popular as Lionel trains, American Flyer touted its realistic two-rail track and closer to scale locomotives and rolling stock. Therein started the intense competition between American Flyer and Lionel fans throughout the forties, fifties and sixties.
The declining market for electric trains and the passing of A.C. Gilbert in 1961 led to the sale of the firm to Jack Wrather, producer of the Lassie and Lone Ranger TV series. However, lack of experience and continuing decline in toy train sales resulted in ceasing production of original American Flyer trains in 1966. A year later Lionel gained ownership of the tooling and brand in exchange for liquidating the remaining inventory of American Flyer trains.
Since 1979, Lionel has offered a few American Flyer items almost every year and more recently has increased the production of American Flyer S Gauge trains and accessories, much of them nearly identical to the ones produced by A.C. Gilbert. Today, Lionel’s “FlyerChief” line of trains brings both radio control and Bluetooth control to American Flyer trains, one of the best things to come to the toy train market in decades.
The club’s S Gauge layout shares a room with the O Gauge layout in the Chase Sports Center Building. The layout consists largely of original American Flyer track, locomotives and rolling stock that were either donated by American Flyer fans or purchased by club members. A few S Gauge items are from S Helper Service, MTH and American Models as well as current Lionel production.
If you are an American Flyer or S Gauge fan, you need to come and visit us at the Chase Sports Center Building, 22 Hudson Falls Road in South Glens Falls, New York.