A. F. Rail Track ?

[traindaddy1]

Hi! I've never paid much attention to American Flyer track. Always thought that AF operated on a 2 rail track. Then I watched the Sunday Photo, Father's Day Edition video where it looks like the AF is running on a 3 rail track. Did I see it correctly? Does American Flyer have 3 rail track and, if so, is it compatible with Lionel 3 rail? As always, many thanks.

[cmulligan01]

The pictures and video from Sunday are of a Standard Gauge American Flyer from the late '20s. It is compatible with Lionel Standard Gauge except for the couplers I believe.

American Flyer made O gauge trains before World War II that were to a different scale than Lionel O again with different couplers. Some of the models were reused after the war when Gilbert switched to the 2 rail track you are familiar with.

[traindaddy1]

Thanks for your post. I learn something new every day. It's a great hobby!

[lionelsoni]

Note that the term "standard gauge" may be offensive to some American Flyer fans, since it was a Lionel trademark.  Flyer called the same size of track "wide gauge".

[ADCX Rob]

cmulligan01

American Flyer made O gauge trains before World War II that were to a different scale than Lionel O again with different couplers. Some of the models were reused after the war when Gilbert switched to the 2 rail track you are familiar with.

Not only that, but Lionel made O gauge trains before World War II that were to different scales than other Lionel O trains and with different types of couplers.

Flyer had a full range of "O" before the war, starting 7 years before Lionel even(electric starting in 1918), and starting in 1938 included a "3/16" inch scale("S") line(but running on "O" track) along the regular scale size and semi-scale O trains. After the war, the 3/16" equipment was retooled to run on two rail "S" gauge track.

[traindaddy1]

BOB: ROB: Thanks.

[phillyreading]

I think the A.F. track size is the same in O gauge but the engines and rolling stock might be different then Lionel. I know that Marx track works with Lionel in the corresponding gauge, like Marx 027 with Lionel 027, or Marx O gauge track with Lionel O gauge track, however some of the track pins might be different. Another thing to watch for in post war track is the curve size, even though it may be similar to 031 size or height I have found some curves to be smaller then 031 and fit into O gauge track, maybe Ives track?

[Nationwidelines]

O gauge is the same regardless of manufacturer, because O gauge refers to the spacing between the rails and not the scale / size of the individual trains. So, yes Lionel, Marx, American Flyer and other 3 rail O manufactured trains will run on the same track. That is not to say that the sizing of the trains made by the individual manufacturers will look appropriate with trains by other manufacturers, but they all will run on the same track. Some of the late Flyer O gauge steam engines and streamliners look very similar in size to Lionel but others, especially their windup trains, were much smaller in size. American Flyer windup engines are designed to run on two-rail O gauge track, which is spaced the same as the 3 rail, just no center rail. The windup engines can run on the three rail O gauge track, but as the spring becomes unwound on some of the engines, it will stop the engine when it comes into contact with the center rail. One characteristic about Flyer O gauge track is that it was banked toward the interior of the circle, meaning that the ties were made at an angle, with the inner side of the circle being at a lower height than the outer side of the circle. This is supposed to prevent derailing, but I am not sure how effective it was. I do not believe that Lionel track was ever banked in this manner.