I’m confused, Is American Flyer a “High rail”? And what does that mean?
Will it not run on American Models track?
Thanks for any help
I am not an S-Scale Person so I can only provide what knowledge has seeped down into my HO scale world. But from my understanding of S-Scale, “High Rail” Refers to building realistic trackwork and scenery but using rail that is “high” eneugh to accomodate American Flyer’s classic deep flanges, which are much deeper that what the NMRA standard for S-Scale is. Since I am not familiar with American Models, I can not tell you if it will run on their track or not.
James
Hi rail started as the term for using American Flyer track with American Flyer wheels and couplers (In O scale it’s Lionel track, wheels, couplers). Add extra ties and ballast for better appearance. As more manufacturers have entered the market other track like that from American Models has been developed that has a prototypical cross section and more realistic ties but accomodates the Flyer flanges. Also, the switches accomodate the Flyer flanges . Generally Flyer flanges and scale flanges can’t be mixed because of the switches. If closed frog switches are used then both can be run on the same track. Code 125 and above is used for HiRail. Code 125 and below is used for scale. American Models uses code 148 and will run American Flyer. S Helper uses code 125 and will also run American Flyer. Shinohara (from Scenery Unlimited) uses code 100 and will not run American Flyer. HiRail in S scale means that American Flyer type flanges and couplers (the couplers are truck mounted) are used. Note that mixing HiRail track may require transition track pieces or rail joiners. Hirail layouts are generally the same as scale layouts in everything but wheels, couplers, and track.
Enjoy
Paul