S scale
Encyclopedia
S Scale is a model railroad scale modeled at 1:64 scale
, S scale track gauge (space between the rails) is . S gauge trains are manufactured in both DC and AC powered varieties. S gauge is sometimes confused with standard gauge
, a large-scale standard for toy trains in the early part of the 20th century.
in the early 20th century. Modeling in S gauge increased in the 1930s-1940's when CD Models marketed 3/16" model train sets under the name American Flyer Trains
. Later American Flyer was purchased by A.C. Gilbert Co., and the term S gauge was adopted by the National Model Railroading Association (NMRA) in 1943 to represent that gauge that was half of #1 gauge (1/32). A.C. Gilbert's improvements in 1/64 modeling and promotions of S gauge largely shaped the world of 1/64 modeling today.
The first trains marketed as S gauge appeared in the 1930s when American Flyer marketed a 1:64 scale train that ran on three-rail track similar to that of Lionel. In 1946 following the end of World War II
, A.C. Gilbert's American Flyer introduced an S gauge train running on two-rail track for greater realism, and S gauge entered what many consider its heyday (although there is more available in S scale today than was available during this period) . However, during that period, Lionel outsold American Flyer nearly 2 to 1. American Flyer's parent company went out of business and the brand was sold to a holding company that also owned Lionel in 1967.
Lionel re-introduced S gauge trains and accessories under the American Flyer name in 1979. Another S manufacturer, American Models, entered the marketplace in 1981 and is now also one of the major S suppliers. S-Helper Service, another major S gauge manufacturer of locomotives, rolling stock, track and other products, began operations in 1989 and delivered their first S products in 1990. And while the S scale market has seen a number of brass model manufacturers, today the major brass model supplier in S scale/S gauge is River Raisin Models. Today's S gauge/S scale modelers have a greater selection and higher quality products, from a wide range of manufacturers, that at any time in the past. In addition to the basics of locomotives, rolling stock, and track, various manufacturers now offer S scale structures, detail parts, figures, other scenic items, bridges, and more.
, and gauge is simply the distance between the railheads.
However, within the modeling community the terms "scale" and "gauge" seem to have taken on very specific connotations. In many cases, the original "toy" trains were built of plated & lithographed tin and/or thick printed cardstock, making use of oversized wheels & couplings and running on track sections that were designed more for ease of use and robust service rather than pure fidelity of reproduction. Small or delicate details were often represented as simple graphics on the models or even omitted altogether. This style of modeling enjoys a large and enthusiastic following to this day, with a brisk trade in both vintage and contemporary models. Many annual public events are held to promote and proudly display fine examples of the genre. These "tinplate" works and displays are most often associated with the term "S gauge", perhaps because many of the early firms marketed their wares using this specific phrase.
As production methods and consumer tastes changed over the years, more accurately detailed models were made available by manufacturers and constructed by enthusiasts. In an effort to distinguish these efforts from the "tinplate" products, the term "S scale" has been adopted by the adherents of this "higher fidelity" approach. Examples of scale works are seen at many shows every year but, it must be honestly noted, there are fewer modelers in the 1:64 proportion than almost any other.
1:64 scale
1:64 scale is a traditional scale for models and miniatures, in which one unit on the model represents 64 units on the actual object. It is also known as "three-sixteenths scale", since 3/16-inch represents a foot. A man is approximately 1-1/8 inches tall in 1:64 scale...
, S scale track gauge (space between the rails) is . S gauge trains are manufactured in both DC and AC powered varieties. S gauge is sometimes confused with standard gauge
Standard Gauge (toy trains)
Standard Gauge, also known as Wide Gauge, was an early model railway and toy train rail gauge, introduced in the United States in 1906 by Lionel Corporation. As it was a toy standard, rather than a scale modeling standard, the actual scale of Standard Gauge locomotives and rolling stock varied...
, a large-scale standard for toy trains in the early part of the 20th century.
History
S Scale is one of the oldest model railroading scales. The earliest known 1:64 scale train was constructed from card in 1896. The first working models appeared in EnglandEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
in the early 20th century. Modeling in S gauge increased in the 1930s-1940's when CD Models marketed 3/16" model train sets under the name American Flyer Trains
American Flyer
American Flyer was a popular brand of toy train and model railroad in the United States in the middle part of the 20th century.- The Chicago era, 1907–1938 :...
. Later American Flyer was purchased by A.C. Gilbert Co., and the term S gauge was adopted by the National Model Railroading Association (NMRA) in 1943 to represent that gauge that was half of #1 gauge (1/32). A.C. Gilbert's improvements in 1/64 modeling and promotions of S gauge largely shaped the world of 1/64 modeling today.
The first trains marketed as S gauge appeared in the 1930s when American Flyer marketed a 1:64 scale train that ran on three-rail track similar to that of Lionel. In 1946 following the end of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, A.C. Gilbert's American Flyer introduced an S gauge train running on two-rail track for greater realism, and S gauge entered what many consider its heyday (although there is more available in S scale today than was available during this period) . However, during that period, Lionel outsold American Flyer nearly 2 to 1. American Flyer's parent company went out of business and the brand was sold to a holding company that also owned Lionel in 1967.
Lionel re-introduced S gauge trains and accessories under the American Flyer name in 1979. Another S manufacturer, American Models, entered the marketplace in 1981 and is now also one of the major S suppliers. S-Helper Service, another major S gauge manufacturer of locomotives, rolling stock, track and other products, began operations in 1989 and delivered their first S products in 1990. And while the S scale market has seen a number of brass model manufacturers, today the major brass model supplier in S scale/S gauge is River Raisin Models. Today's S gauge/S scale modelers have a greater selection and higher quality products, from a wide range of manufacturers, that at any time in the past. In addition to the basics of locomotives, rolling stock, and track, various manufacturers now offer S scale structures, detail parts, figures, other scenic items, bridges, and more.
Terminology
Strictly speaking, scale is the relation of the size of a model to that of its prototypePrototype
A prototype is an early sample or model built to test a concept or process or to act as a thing to be replicated or learned from.The word prototype derives from the Greek πρωτότυπον , "primitive form", neutral of πρωτότυπος , "original, primitive", from πρῶτος , "first" and τύπος ,...
, and gauge is simply the distance between the railheads.
However, within the modeling community the terms "scale" and "gauge" seem to have taken on very specific connotations. In many cases, the original "toy" trains were built of plated & lithographed tin and/or thick printed cardstock, making use of oversized wheels & couplings and running on track sections that were designed more for ease of use and robust service rather than pure fidelity of reproduction. Small or delicate details were often represented as simple graphics on the models or even omitted altogether. This style of modeling enjoys a large and enthusiastic following to this day, with a brisk trade in both vintage and contemporary models. Many annual public events are held to promote and proudly display fine examples of the genre. These "tinplate" works and displays are most often associated with the term "S gauge", perhaps because many of the early firms marketed their wares using this specific phrase.
As production methods and consumer tastes changed over the years, more accurately detailed models were made available by manufacturers and constructed by enthusiasts. In an effort to distinguish these efforts from the "tinplate" products, the term "S scale" has been adopted by the adherents of this "higher fidelity" approach. Examples of scale works are seen at many shows every year but, it must be honestly noted, there are fewer modelers in the 1:64 proportion than almost any other.
Narrow Gauge
- Sn3½ gauge - gauge on gauge track (the same as HO gauge)
- Sn3 - gauge on gauge track.
- Sn2 gauge - gauge on (the same as HOn3 gauge) or gauge track
Associations
The National Association of S Gaugers serves as an organization to promote all forms of S gauge model railroading. The S Scale Model Railway Society also works to promote the scale in the UK. More S scale organizations can be found here.Notable Layouts
The largest S Scale layout in the United States is the Cincinnati in Motion exhibit at the Cincinnati Museum Center at Union TerminalCincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal
The Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal, originally Cincinnati Union Terminal, is a passenger railroad station in the Queensgate neighborhood of Cincinnati, Ohio, United States...
See also
- Rail transport modellingRail transport modellingRailway modelling or model railroading is a hobby in which rail transport systems are modelled at a reduced scale...
- Rail transport modelling scalesRail transport modelling scalesRail transport modelling utilises a variety of scales to ensure scale models look correct when placed next to each other. Model railway scales are standardized worldwide by many organizations and hobbyist groups...
- Model railway scales