Did anyone offer S scale in 3-rail like Lionel's O scale trains. I have read one or two sources that indicate that someone did. But I don't see any such trains available on eBay. I know that S scale is available in both AC and DC powered types. Any information would be appreciated.

Lownen,

When American Flyer was purchased by A.C. Gilbert and moved from Chicago to New Haven, (sometime in the late 1930's), AF trains were made in 3/16" scale (S scale) that ran on O-gauge 3 rail track (Like Lionel O Gauge). To my knowledge, these trains were only made between 1938 and 1941, and today are commonly known as American Flyer 3/16" O gauge trains. After WWII Gilbert began producing what we know today as S scale (3/16" trains on two rail track).

I've been collecting the AF 3/16" O-gauge for several years now and really enjoy it. If you have any other questions about these trains, let me know. I never get tired of talking about them!

Randall,
I believe that a small amount of 3 rail, 3/16" was produced in late 1945 after te conclusion of WWII.
Herb Wasserman

The September 2000 issue of CTT had a detailed story on the AF 3/16" O gauge line. The author John A Grams states that there were 8 locomotives offerred during the period 1939-1942 with two of, the PRR K5 pacific and the Reading Atlantic them apparantly being assembled and sold as well in the years 1945-46. This was probably to put train sets in dealers shelfs for Christmas 1945 . There were four sheet metal freight and two passenger rolling stock items available for these locos and were sold in sets. The 46 catalog price sheet shows 3 rail track items but nothing else 3 rail.

1939-42 items were extensive . Including the 8 locos, UP Northern, NYC Hudson, PRR Pacific, PRR Atlantic, B&O Streamlined pacific, B&O Streamlined Atlantic, Reading Atlantic and the Nickle plate 0-8-0. There were both die cast ( 500 series) and sheet metal ( 400 series) freight and passenger cars. there were color variations as well and operating cars including the vehicle unloading car, dump car, searchlight car, crane car, operating mail pick up car and whistling baggage car .

Seems like a fascinating part of the hobby and an area where one might be able to assemble a resonably comprehensive collection of items offerred.

Two more things come to my mind.

Marx made 3/16 scale trains, both freight and passenger, from 1941 or 42 to 1958. They were well done enough that some AF folks would replace their trucks and run them on their layouts. (Please don't). Most were tinplate; some were plastic. Some had very nice scale-size trucks; some had oversized ones more to O-guage dimensions.

They do show up on ebay, but are usually listed incorrectly as O-guage. Search by the numbers, e.g. 3152, 234, 1950, 20102, 44572, 35461.

Then Marx Trains, Inc. obtained the rights and produced a line of new designs from 1990-2003. They all had the scale trucks.

Ameritrains then took over and produced the line until last year. These, and Marx Trains items also show up on ebay and it can be tough to distinguish them from Louis Marx & Co. production if not described completely and the buyer is unfamiliar with the originals.