Need help in understanding American Flyer gauges..

[lv 601]

I always thought when you refer to 3/16 you are talking about "O" gauge but I've recently seen a couple of items on E-bay listed as 3/16 "S" gauge. Is there such a thing?? I have some pre-war and post war American FLyer "O" gauge and have been recently looking to add a couple of items and want to make sure I'm getting what I need. I know "O" gauge runs on 3 rail track and "S" gauge runs on 2 rail track but what does the 3/16 stand for??

Thanks..

[ogauge]

Actually from 1946 forward AF was 3/16ths S gauge.  They were of course O gauge prior to WWII and were 3/16ths scale from 1938 on when AC Gilber bought the company and moved it to Conn.  The prewar O 3/16ths engines all spawned 3/16's S versions and went on to carry the line for 25 years until they finally were bought by Lionel in the late 60's.

 Truth be told, you could take many of the S cars and substitute O trucks and run with the O engines.  Marx also made some nice Litho 3/16th's O cars as well.

PS there has always been some discussion about wether AF sold some left over O trains in 1945 prior to the S line being ready just as similar stories about Lionel have alsways been told.  I wouldn't be surprised, although most people think the factories each emptied thier stock in 42/43 when they were not allowed to make toys.  Its always fun to talk about though! 

[lionelsoni]

S scale is 1/64, or 3/16 inch per foot.  S gauge is 7/8 inch.  (American) O scale is 1/48, or 1/4 inch per foot.  (Toy train) O gauge is 1 1/4 inches.  Prewar American Flyer was S scale running on 3-rail O gauge track.  Postwar American Flyer was S scale running on 2-rail S gauge track.