John Vanse questioned:
Although The American Flyer model trains were at their peak of popularity between the 1940s and the 1960s, they really had a long history before that, and their popularity seems to be on the increase again today. William Hafner, working as a toymaker in Chicago, developed a clockwork motor for use in toy cars in the very early part of the 19th Century and by 1905 was making toy trains using that clockwork motor.
With a friend, William Coleman, and using a small hardware manufacturing business known as the Edmonds-Metzel Hardware Company, Hafner started producing toy clockwork trains during 1906-7. These Edmond-Metzel trains were sold so successfully through some major retailers that the brand name The American Flyer was adopted for marketing purposes and by 1910, the name of the hardware company had been changed to American Flyer Manufacturing Company.
The American Flyer trains proved very well loved, in part because they were lower priced than other makes well loved at that time, and also because their detailing made them more realistic than other low budget model trains.
Hafner left the partnership in 1913 to start up his own company and Coleman’s American Flyer trains did extremely well during the First World War as they had no competition in the US from the German companies. By 1918, the first of the American Flyer electric trains were in production and business boomed during the 1920s but declined sharply during the Fantastic Depression.
In 1938, William Coleman Jr, son of the company’s founder, who had taken over the business following his father’s death in 1918, sold the American Flyer to the A C Gilbert Company. Gilbert had been manufacturing and selling an extensive range of toys but not toy trains. He went the company from Chicago to New Haven, Connecticut and immediately started to re-design the trains. He re-developed the American Flyer as S-scale in 1939 , a scale which was a modification of the very well loved O gauge model trains then on the market. The S scale, which scales trains to the 1:64 ratio and made them smaller than the O scale trains, had a number of major advantages in terms of the track and track layouts.
In 1946 Gilbert made another major change to the American Flyer. Until that stage model electric trains had run on three rails, with the centre rail carrying the current. Gilbert developed a two rail system for running the American Flyer. This two-rail track, which had seven-eighths inches between the rails, made the track layout, and hence train operation, more realistic as the track now looked like ‘real train track’.
With the advent of television – to distract both younger people and older people from their regular leisure activities – together with the rise of the discount chain stores which undercut prices and demanded lower wholesale prices, A C Gilbert Company ran into distress and in 1962 was sold to Wrather Group. The new owners produced lines of toys, including model trains, which were of very poor quality and sales dropped sharply until in 1966 production of the American Flyer stopped. By 1967 the Company was bankrupt.
At this time, Lionel Corporation, which was itself in financial distress although it had been the leading model train manufacturer for many decades, bought the rights to the American Flyer. But, by 1969 Lionel Corporation itself was bankrupt and sold the rights to the manufacture of its model trains, including the American Flyer, to General Mills.
General Mills started selling some of the original Gilbert designed American Flyer trains by 1979 but in 1984 sold its Lionel Company section to a toy manufacturer, Kenner who on-sold the company to Richard Kughn in 1985.
Kughn was very successful for over 10 years with the Lionel and American Flyer trains but sold in 1996 to Wellspring Partners who set up the company Lionel LLC, which operates today selling a range of model trains, including the S-scale American Flyer. Initially Lionel LLC concentrated on promoting the O and O27 scale model trains of its original lines but since 2002 has been releasing more and more American Flyer models.
The American Flyer then, is now more that 100 years ancient, and has gone though a number of ownerships and fluctuations in popularity. Dedicated S-scale enthusiasts now believe that this renowned model train is once again making a resurgence.
Michael Weston questioned:
Now that you are committed to starting a model train collection there are a number of areas for you to consider. These items are vital so that your collection will be perfect for you and your budget.
The first thing is the scale. Scale is size of the model train with G being the largest and going down you will find O scale, S scale, HO scale, N scale and the smallest Z Scale with ratios starting at 1:8 and going down to 1:220. The most well loved scales are the G, N, Z and HO model trains.
The larger the scale of the model trains the more detail you can get, but the scale that you choose to collect should take into consideration not only detail but also cost, budget and the amount of space that you have available to set up your model railroad.
When it comes to detail all the scales are well done and would make a nice collection. It really depends on your own taste. Be sure and check out a model train show in your area. There you will be able to see working models of each scale and get a feel for what will work best for you. Value really is based on your taste and your budget.
Besides considering scale you will need to take a look at gauge. I’m sure that you have heard of narrow gauge railroads. This is in reference to the size of the track. Most narrow gauge railways were through the mountains and used not only for carrying mining ore but also employees and supplies back and forth to the mines.
Gauge is the measurement of the width between the model railroad tracks in millimeters and these can generally be found in sizes of 6.5 mm all the way up to 148 mm. Depending on the size of your model train the supplier will outfit you with the appropriate gauge for your model railroad track.
Ok, now that you have chose on scale and gauge you can start to work on the layout of your bench work. You can select different environments for the layout of your train tracks. This basically entails the creation of unique topography and cityscapes through which your model railway will plot its course.
This is the time to be creative and build realistic comprehensive environments by utilizing different materials; the scope of which will depend on the area you have available for laying out your master plotted model railroad.
Be sure to use special finishes like weathering on your model trains. This will make your model train and model railway look like it has aged over time with the ravages of grease, smoke and oil which is a natural look due to emissions released from engines of the model trains. Your landscape will determine what type of look is best. If your landscape is based on a desert environment or mountainous area then the model train will want to be weathered to look like they’ve been ravaged by dust storms, etc.
Most model trains are valued for their historical background as well as technical prowess. You are getting into model train collecting because you know and appreciates the mechanics of locomotives and the history of our railway system. When you friends look at the aesthetics of your well-plotted model train and railway, they will be able to appreciate the craftsmanship and hard work you have place forth in your collection and building your model railroad.
Like any leisure activity you will want to establish a beginning budget and work within that budget. Collecting model trains and model railroads is not an inexpensive leisure activity. But, the joy of putting your plot in place, building your collection over time and running your model railroad is more than worth the expense. Hearing the sound of the horn, the model train running on the track and the light shinning as it comes out of the tunnel, smelling the smoke as the engines pulls a steep incline, what could be better than that?
John Vanse questioned:
Over the past 100 years several methods of controlling electric model trains have developed.
The first and simplest method was the use a simple variable transformer as introduced by Lionel in 1906 to lower the Alternating Current [AC] voltage from the wall to a lower, safer value and allow the user to control the speed of a model electric train by changing the amount of AC power applied to the track. In the 1920’s, Lionel included remote control reversing switches to allow the user to control the direction of the model train.
When Direct Current [DC] powered trains with permanent magnet motors were introduced, a different standard was developed for most two rail train tracks where the direction of trains were controlled by the polarity of the DC track power applied to the track.
In the late 1940’s Lionel added a new concept of applying DC on top of the AC track voltage to turn on and off an on-board whistle by remote control. This concept of high frequency transmission was introduced in the Lionel Electronic Train Control. This system supplied ten different signals that would control ten different remote control effects. The different high frequency signals were superimposed on the standard AC power when selected buttons were pressed at the control center. Each remote engine or rail car was equipped with a receiver unit that was tuned to the individual frequencies. When the right high frequency signal was transmitted, the corresponding receiver would toggle or turn-on some remote effect.
These high frequency signals increase the ability to remotely control various effects but they had other problems. Transmission losses were usually high and it was critically vital to keep the track, the track joints and the wheels of the receiving car or locomotive extremely clean. But extra feeder wires to different parts of the track were used to prevent signal losses and placing capacitors across the track joints and adding inductors at the power supply and on each accessory being used helped in reducing signal loss and in ensuring that all components of the model train layout operated properly. All this additional equipment but added to the cost, the complexity, and the maintenance for the model train operator.
Model train manufacturers have, over the years, introduced different methods of applying high frequency signals to the model train track to increase the remote control capabilities including independent train control which means that the operator can control the speed, direction and features of a number of different engines all on the same powered track section. With most DC and AC systems but, the largest problem is that there are only a limited number of remote control signals possible and their application is slow by modern digital standards.
The application of digital technology uses remote control signals to carry digital signals to decoders in the engine for digital command control of locomotives and other accessories.
Digital Command Control (DCC) is a method of controlling individual engines, rail cars and accessories by transmitting digital remote control signals down the track to on-board digital receivers and decoders in the locomotives, wagons and other rolling stock and accessories.
DCC has been around since the 1970’s but had not received wide acceptance because of the limited technology at the time and the difficulty and expense of installing receivers in each engine. With developments in digital technology these problems have diminished and over the last ten to fifteen years major model train manufacturers have produced several different versions of DCC. So many that unfortunately customers have been confused about which system is best.
Fortunately, in recent times, the National Model Railroad Association [NMRA] has established a preferred method of transmitting and receiving digital transmissions on model train layouts, based on the Lenz system developed in Germany and this is recognized as the accepted standard for DCC.
Amy Yang questioned:
There is something very satisfying when you look at your finished model train setup complete with working lights, lifelike trees, building, and even small people. So, if you are thinking of getting into and building your own landscape for miniature trains, read on to find out what you need to know before you start down this very rewarding road.
The Table
You’ll need a table, but not just any table. You need one that can support the weight of the landscape on top. This might mean that you will need to customize it. That would be ideal. For a simple setup, though, with no mountains or the like, you could get by with a standard heavy duty solid wood table. Once you get into mountains and rolling hills, you might need to strengthen it by adding support pieces under the places that carry the most weight.
Model Train Accessories
A setup is never complete without accessories. You can make it yourself or you can go out and buy pre-made pieces. The advantage to making them yourself is that you can make it look anyway you want. You could make pieces that look like the buildings near where you live. You could even re-make the area where you live that has a railroad! That would be incredible to have in your house! I’m sure people will be amazed at that! As for accessories, you will want to invest or build buildings, trees, snow, water, mines, people, lights, railroad crossings, and all such things that you might see in the landscape. Yes, it gets very detailed and yes, it can be a never ending process of continual improvement and/or change. That’s probably why there is so much appeal to it. Like there is for the simulation games like Sim City and the like.
Different Scales
If you’ve been shopping around either in physical or online stores, you probably noticed that there are different size scales you can get for both the trains and accessories. HO is the most well loved size. Different scales have different trains available and different accessories. So you would have more to choose from in the HO size. But of course, if you were to make your own accessories, the size you choose would only depend on the available trains.
Needed Space
The larger the space, the more you can add on to your railroad scape. The minimum space you would need for a model train setup would depend on the size train you pick. The smallest you could go is if you had just a circle for the train to go round and round in. Your table would simply measure the size of that circle. If you opt for more space, take into consideration how simple it would be to go. In case you have to go houses, you would most likely want to take your setup with you. Keep that in mind. If you have a huge setup, remember to build it so that you have connecting pieces that you could easily maneuver out the door.
John Vanse questioned:
All the components necessary to build up a successful model train layout are expensive – locomotives, rolling stock, tracks, power controllers, buildings, landscaping, to list just some – these are all expensive. It is no wonder that the leisure activity of setting up and maintaining a model train collection is considered one of the more costly leisure activities that you can become involved in. But, that does not stop many thousands, may be hundreds of thousands of people, spending a considerable amount of money on their model train collections.
Because of the significant amount of money you will have invested in establishing your model train collection, it is essential that you should take all the necessary measures to ensure that it is properly cared for. You would not want to have your investment to end up in the trash.
You will find that taking excellent care of your model train collection will save you a significant amount of money for repair and maintenance in the years to come.
The following simple guidelines should remind you of the basic essentials of the excellent habits you need to develop that will help take care of your very valuable model train collection and maintain it in prime working condition:
make sure you store the most expensive parts of your model train collection – the locomotives and rolling stock -all the wagons, carriages, etc in a safe place when they are not in use. They should preferably be in a cupboard or containers to prevent dust and moisture affecting them. If you have your model train layout in your garage or in a basement, make sure it is damp proof;
make sure you always wipe dust and dirt off the model train collection components. Use a soft cloth or a soft sponge when doing this. This will help prevent dirt accumulating, particularly in many of the surface ridges. An accumulation of dirt can potentially, over time, ruin the paintwork and can inhibit the proper functioning of any of the individual items;
if you are using batteries to operate your model train, as many people still do, take them out of the train if you will not be using your train for some time. Batteries leak if not in use for a period of time. The leakage could hurt the model train because the chemicals in batteries are harsh and abrasive;
if you are operating electric control of your trains, make sure the tracks which carry the current are kept clean. Otherwise the proper functioning of your model train layout can be severely affected;
let the locomotive of your model train run on its own power. Try to avoid touching a locomotive when it is operating. Doing so can often cause hurt to the motor.
While you may find that the tasks of maintaining your model train collection properly, such as keeping it clean and safely stored, are somewhat tedious, and tend to detract from the enjoyment you get from having and operating your model trains on your layout, the development of excellent maintenance habits will, in the long run, add to your enjoyment by providing a well functioning, excellent looking model train collection.
And – it will save you money by not requiring costly replacements for poorly functioning components.