Transition from O to S: American Flyer 1939 Engines
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- Опубліковано 6 жов 2024
- During a very short time frame of 1939-1941 American Flyer introduced the new 'true scale' 3/16 trains that operated on non-scale 3 rail O gauge track. This led the way to S gauge trains that ran on 2 rail track beginning in 1946.
This is the third video in this series.
Video number one in the series: • American Flyer trains:...
Video number two in the series: • American Flyer Trains:...
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Interesting history. Will admit I'm a Lionel guy but I always thought Flyer trains and accessories were neat.
Best of both worlds would be a Lionel engine with an American Flyer "Choo-Choo" chuffer to go with the air whistle and smoke.
That would be amazing!
The O scale Flyer were producing at that time were better looking that Lionel by a long shot. The 429 switcher 435 pacific 531 k5 and Low and Behold the Hudson and Northern were just Beasts!
Nicely done, Austin. It would be super cool to see the True Scale prewar Flyer running on your videos, on your layout. 😂
Excellent video! You did the 3/16th O and S equivalents justice.
Very kind of you to say. This only happened because so many contributed to the project
The trouble with worm gear motors is that there is excessive strain and ware on the shaft bushings.
Thank you Austin for the informative video! I just acquired a 321 Hudson set at a thrift store which I am tearing down to get running again. My first S fauge train. I love the history of these old toy trains.
Congratulations and welcome to S! At some point I'll be doing one or two videos on this engine as I have two different project engines with this number.
At about 46 seconds in your video I spotted an 0-6-0 three rail Flyer engine that was full O scale size. I didn't realize they made anything that detailed quite like that. I also saw one in person at the last trainshow I was at, I wanted to buy it, but it was over $500 (for the whole set) so I admired it.
Unfortunately I do not have any details on that engine but give it honorable mention in the next video. I agree that it appears 3/16" scale also
The 429 switcher! It's a brute and a very smooth runner. Get one you won't be disappointed
Hey Austin! Great video, I love all gauges of Flyer, I have all 3 gauges and if I ever get a chance to build a layout again, I'd like to put all 3 gauges on the layout. When I've watched some of the videos from the 30's to the 50's there are a few that had 4 gauges! They had the three smaller gauges and had Standard Gauge too! Flyer also made Standard Gauge trains in the prewar era, and guys had layouts with 3 or 4 different gauges running, that would be fun!
Wow...it sure would!
When i visited the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn mi years ago,i remember seeing lionel trains that had 3 rail tracks that were as wide as G scale,never knew that had something bigger than O scale
Thank you for your post! This is a lot deeper than I have yet to venture yet appreciate it nonetheless! Thanks again! Good success in future projects!
Wow, thanks for all the time and research that went into this video!
Very interesting and informative video thank you
Thankyou
Thoroughly delightful videos ! I wish that Dad had me an AF instead of Lionel back in 1950.
Thank you.
Thanks
It was fun and educational
Nice watching something that many have ignored. The engines that you showed are fascinating when you take into account what was generally avaliable in the toy train market at the time. Many people have converted these engines into two rail engines and they do just fine especially with the RDC unit. Has anybody out there converted the spur gear drive engines as this design difference would be fascinating to see running. I have several candidates awaiting this process. I wonder if creating a whole new chasis with Postwar drivers and somekind of gearing for wheel backsides is possible or perhaps another chasis regauged. CASG
I’ve always wondered why American flyer changed fromO gauge to S gauge. Great video!😊
Gilbert made two rail ready to run trains in HO before thru scale. I understand he had existing inventory from Coleman to liquidate and he made some delightfull three rail stuff that did not carry over to thru scale. The understanding is that thru scale was made with the intent of conversion into two rail at some point as he had the existing technology from the HO trains of 1938. CASG
@@romanpapierz5066 Good to know, thank you!
Nice lots of infor I collect also prewar flyer Lionel Marx. I have a 807 flyer is in nice shape.
I never knew much about the difference.
Hey Austin was 39 the first year for the Worm Screw drive? I received one to upgrade and found my DC Field fit it perfectly and the engine runs like a top??????????I was curious to think that 1939 was 85 year ago and my DC Field s work on them. Take care, Great Video, D
I believe they started using them in 39. Wow that's amazing!
@@AustinsAmericanFlyertrains do you have any more details on. The model train kits from Flyer? I wanted to if I could recreate a Flyer kit with my stuff.
I'm sorry but I do not. I would suggest reaching out to Willamette valley UA-cam as he was very helpful with the video project.
Hi Austin, Great series! Thank you! Just a question: I bought a 321 set at a thrift store. Got it running, and love it. It has smoke with the chuff sound. You mentioned that the 321 has chuff only, and the 322 has smoke. Could this be a variation?
Hi Daniel... congratulations on getting it operational! Hudson's are my favorite! There are a couple possibilities...it could be that a different shell was placed in a 322 but it could also be that you have a 321 with chochoo and smoke. I happen to have one as well. I am unclear why the inconsistency but it keeps the hobby interesting.
@@AustinsAmericanFlyertrainsThanks Austin! I think I had my terminology wrong. I was thinking that chuff and smoking choo choo were the same thing. I've always been a tinplate O and Standard Gauge guy, and this is my first exposure to S gauge. I had to build an elevated oval out of Erector set parts to make room. This has been an enjoyable addition to my train room. Thanks again! 😄🚂🚂
@danielpfaffe4914 sounds like a fun layout!
Sorry for my strong reaction. My comment was too much, and that wasn't right. For me it just seemed ironic that American Flyer would be characterized by itself or by somebody else as "True Scale," since the "Finescale S" that I model is generally much more accurate to scale and detailed than American Flyer--especially the track and wheels.
But I do acknowledge the nostalgia and the collectability of American Flyer, and its appeal. Here in Utah I was invited to join the local "Golden Spike" AF Club, but I didn't see the point too much. They are a swell bunch of guys (and gals), but my equipment won't run on their track, and their equipment won't run on my track--the standards and dimensions are not the same, or compatible. Even the track power is different.
It is true that "to each his own," and I accept that. Normally I'm not triggered of course by an AF video, but I had never heard the term "true scale" applied to AF before. If you want to see what I model, you can look at this UA-cam video: "S Scale in Fine Scale - John Pratt's Wonderful Scratch Built S Scale Model Trains". This video focuses mainly on my scratch building and craftsman kits, but only shows a small portion of my stuff. All my track is also hand laid.
I appreciate your followup. Thankyou. Context is important to note. The video that you commented on was part of a prewar series I did...1939-1941...AC Gilbert was wanting to mass produce a more scale like electric train option. HO scale was certainly impressive! I attempted to show through the series(I would encourage you to watch the different videos) how very toylike and unscaled earlier engines and cars were. So compared to what had been this was truly ground breaking. And then, after the war, the track became scale and we had American Flyer S postwar.
I used to model in HO with DCC and steam engines that rivaled brass in detail and had much better sound than anything I hear in larger scales...fine scale or toy. And there is an appeal. I get it and appreciate you and others who take the scale to life like proportions.
One thing that I enjoyed about AF/hightail is that it is more robust. And that the accessories are also more robust. I don't know about you but the thought of having a child operate a very expensive, very detailed engine, is not for the faint of heart. Sharing the hobby has become very important to me as I become more aware of the average age of hobbyist. With my flyer items I'm able to engage visitors of all ages and let them run the trains, push the buttons. Sometimes there are accidents but generally these do little to no damage.
I do have a few pieces that are very nice and a few modern productions with greater detail and are more scale. These are all able to operate in AC power and high rail track. For me this is the best of both worlds.
Austen , have u looked at the flyer HO the way they done that in the same era !! it is interesting !! AC to DC
I have...I am contemplating a short video about the HO as it truely was amazing technology.
@@AustinsAmericanFlyertrains besides S i collect H O and 3/16 O i have found a.f. 5818 in AC and DC . i run the ac one and the guts look similar to the O flyer
@@AustinsAmericanFlyertrains what engines do u have in HO ? i have both ac and dc engines !
I did have the great northern diesels and the 4 wheel switcher but sold them. Do you have video of your engines in operation? Would you let me use clips of them operating? Please send me an email aftrainfun@gmail.com
american flyer sold o gauge up to 1946
"True scale?" "True scale?" I mean, really?!? I love "S" or 1:64 model railroading, but I find it such a shame and a waste in our day today to model in American Flyer or S "hi-rail." If you are going to go to all that effort, why not model with prototypically correct rail size and wheel and switch standards which permit a MUCH, MUCH more realistic appearance? For me, such wasted effort is spent in 'Flyer or "hi-rail."
I model in "Finescale S," using rail of code .100 or less. I use NASG-NMRA track and wheel standards for wheels, and switch flangeways. This looks so much better. I see so much excellent effort go into scenery and other things, but that those huge, out of proportion rails and wheel flanges spoil it all completely for me. "Toy trains" are for 10-year olds going around the Christmas tree, not for serious, realistic modeling. Woof.
I'm glad you feel free to leave your honest options and comments. This is fine. However your bias is considering the visual side of the hobby only. I would also mention that while it is fine to have a preference expressing options in a way that cuts at others does not promote the hobby. I enjoy my postwar flyer for many reasons that do not fit a prototypical standard. But since you so clearly outlined what you think of people who champion Postwar American Flyer(and tinplate in general) I won't waste your time posting them.
@@AustinsAmericanFlyertrains Fair enough.