Who makes the best S guage track?

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

In the league of experts, which manufacture would you say makes the best S guage track that is compatable with post war american flyer? I am looking at replacing all my old S guage Gilbert track and would appreciate the feedback. Is there track available that is capatible with those old Gilbert switches?

Thanks,

j. daddy

2

http://www.classictrains.com/american_s.htm

http://www.gargraves.com/s.php

http://www.showcaseline.com/index2.html

3

Thanks for the leads. Which one do you prefer?

I like the S helper track. Is it compatible with the Gilbert switches?

4

Gargraves would mate with flyer using an adapter pins

also american models has code .148 track that will run both hirail and scale wheelsets looks real just incase you change to scale running and not have to rip up old track.

I am partial to gargraves as it is more realistic yet fits in with the toy train look as well.

K-line made some s gauge track as well maybe a lhs may still have some on hand.

5

Thanks for the tip.[:)]

6

I have the S-Helper snap-together track w/roadbed for my postwar AF trains. They also make switches, but they don’t have the neat old AF “isolate the section” feature because it would have made the switch “toy-like”, size wise. Great looking track, IMO. Joe

7

GarGraves track needs NO adapter pins to fit S gauge track! If it is Pike Master track then you will need adapter pins. I have four American Flyer locomotives in S gauge and use the old A.F. switches with GarGraves track.

Lee F.

8

I’ve dabbled in S gauge over the years. My favorite track (next to original AF) is American Models. It looks VERY good and is reasonably priced. I do like Gargraves for its quality and variety - it blends superbly with AF. S-Helper is great for carpet layouts with its built-in roadbed (like Fastrack or Realtrax) but it is pricey and switches are hard to come by.

My recommendation on Pike Master track - sell it on Ebay to someone who collects it.

9

http://www.lionel.com/Products/Catalogs/Catalog.cfm?CatalogUID=A1D98741-B8B4-F5A5-9867DF780CEE5190&PageID=904

Bottom of Page 123 - "American Flyer S Gauge Track".

Lionel Must be making use of the K-Line tooling.

Rob

10

Dr. John,

I second your thoughts on Pike Master track! It is too narrow in the curve to run my 4-6-2 A.F. 295, and 283 locomotives on.

I have one S-Helper switch with my S gauge track and had to use adapter pins sold separetly and had to cut off the end piece to mate with S gauge track or GarGraves track.

I got my first S gauge train back in the 60’s from friends of my parents, my parents bought me a race car set and their friends threw in the A.F. train set: loco # 295 and freight cars # 923 CNJ cement car, # 924 I.C. box car, # 925 Gulf tank car, # 941 Frisco gondola, # 938 caboose, and some track and two manual AF switches, one right one left.

Have added to the AF set since then and have four steam locomotives and five cabooses and several freight cars. Run the AF on a two track main on my layout inside my O gauge trains.

Lee F.