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[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...

[Anonymous]

I'd hang on to the set. Even if you don't use it, you'd probably regret selling something that's been in your family for as long as this set. If you do decide you want to sell, your best bet might be to see what prices similar items go for on eBay then work out the value from that. I'm not sure if S is still made - I think it is, but not in large quantities (correct me if I'm wrong, this is out of my expertise!).

[Eriediamond]

Good advice Railroading_brit. Yes S scale is still produced and American Flyer is now sold by Lionel if I'm not mistaking, also K-Line has an S scale line out also. If I may suggest, I would post this on the Classic Toy Trains forum, as they are more knowledgible on tin-plate than most of us here. I too, would think you would regret selling your train set. My parents, years ago sold and gave away all my old Lionel trains I had as a child in the 40's when I left home for the Navy in 1960. I've regreted that over the years.

[nfmisso]

Brian;

There is a large amount of S scale (1/64) stuff available in trains, and even more so in other areas, such as cars, trucks, farm and construction equipment, etc.

See:
http://www.s-scaletrains.com/
http://www.american-flyer.com/sscale.html
http://home.eznet.net/~cesmith/
http://www.showcaseline.com/
http://www.s-scale.org/sscale/mod.php?mod=weblink&menu=2
http://www.ertltoys.com/brand/farm_const/2004/index.shtml
http://www.ertltoys.com/brand/racing_champions/2004/index.shtml
http://toys.listings.ebay.com/Diecast-Toy-Vehicles_W0QQsacategoryZ222QQsocmdZListingItemList
and select the 1/64 scale.

[Anonymous]

Thanks tons for all replies. I do think I'm going to keep the old stuff and build a layout around it. There's just something about that old engine. Now to clean everything up and design a layout.

http://www.bantamodelworks.com is also a good resource for craftsman kits in all scales. I found them a while back while searching for S stuff.

Thanks again,
Brian