Amerian Flyer - S-Guage - Pikemaster

[American Flyer Trains]

Hey does anyone know if Pike Master made cast iron/etc. Higher quality train engines, Accessories, and, or other Higher quality items?????? I have the cheaper plastic pikemaster that i have had for a few years now but recently wanted to look into and see if American Flyer made them. If they did, I am interested in finding out where i could find them.

Thank you for any one who can help me.

 

[Major]

Pike master track represented a cheapening of the American Flyer line in the early 60's.  In addition to the track many cars sported the new pike master one piece trucks and couplers. While these would mate with regular knuckle couplers they do not hold as well and are prone to breakage. There are plenty of die cast zinc metal steam locomotives out there that flyer made prior to the pike master years.  However they operate better on the traditional Flyer 20" radius track than the smaller radius pike master track.  Some of the accessories made could work with pike master track but most were discontinued prior to pike master track introduction. Therefore there were no track trips made to attach the majority of the accessories to pike master track.

[AF53]

Since American Flyer made their Pikemaster track and trains starting in 1961, I believe all the locomotives had plastic shells. If your concern is with the non-plastic loco's, the older loco's will run on pikemaster track.

Hope this helps.

Ray   

[phillyreading]

Pike Master was basically Ameican Flyer's low cost line in the 1960's, similar to today's Rugged Rails by MTH in price. Pike Master curves were very tight in radius, around a 28 inch radius verses the regular 42 inch radius. Also from what I have seen of Pike Master, it took special pins to use with Pike Master track, another thing about Pike Master track is that the plastic broke on the underside of the tracks very easily.

Most of my steam enginesin A.F. would not go around the Pike Master curves, as my engines are 4-6-4's.

Lee F.