Help

[Anonymous]

I'm relatively new to model railroading. I have an S-Scale, American Flyer 4-4-2 Atlantic Steam Engine and quite a few cars from when I was a kid. The set had been given to me by my Uncle which had been his as a child. It's in great shape, still runs with the original motor. Only the brushes have been changed. And not since before it was mine. I plan to start a layout this summer as my 2 and a half year old son loves plaing with his trains. I think he'll love to see a real train running in his basement.

I'm wondering what the set or at least the engine is worth? Would it be best to sell it and work in a more popular scale? Or maybe keep it on a shelf and work in a more popular scale... I do kind of like S for it's uniqueness now, and the nostalgia. So I may stick with S, I guess I'm just wondering how rare my engine is...

[daan]

[#welcome][#welcome]to the forum!
If your 2 and a half year old son is also going to play with it, keep your precious engine somewhere else. I don't have the faintest idea about what it's worth, but it seems to me that you like it and therefore I think it has a value for you.
Try something like "Tomas the tank engine" for him, and have model trains for yourself. Children are very keen on Thomas and his friends and it means a lot more to them as the black engines we as an adult like.
Anyhow, I whish you a lot of fun with your son in the basement!

[Anonymous]

Thanks.

I do like my old American Flyer. It's still pulling strong.

Thanks for the advice as well. Nathan has a train set now that we set up on the floor of his room. It's pretty cool, makes lots of noise that Mom doesn't like so much but is fine with us.<G>

I do plan to start with him just watching the stages progress. I don't even have benchwork at this point. I figure Nathan will be finishing High School by the time my layout is even close to being finished. By then hopefully he'll be helping.

[spankybird]

Hi Brian,
Welcome to the CTT Forum


I have seen the 4-4-0 engine that you have describe for around $75.00 to $125.00 at local train shows. The passenger cars are about $20.00 each. ‘S’ gague is only about 2% of the toy – model train hobby.

The good news is that both Lionel and K-line are making new ‘S’ gauge rolling stock and engines. There is also a company S-Helper that makes a lot of ‘S’ gauge.

You could use both on the same layout, each on it’s own track system. The ‘O’ gauge could by your main line and the ‘S’ gauge could be a narrow gauge line.


Good Luck

tom