OK, I keep seeing American Flyer models that have been modified to On3 or On30 on EBay. Some of em are really nice conversions. Since I know nothing about American Flyer, my question is, what the heck is American Flyer's scale? Is it O or S? What would it take to convert these to On30? Thanks, John
That American Flyer that you're referencing, is most likely S gauge. 3/16" scale as they called it. Two rails. What I had as a youth, along with my Lionel. Originally made 1938-1966. Since the 1960's, Lionel has made some items under the AF name. However, 1938, and earlier, before A.C. Gilbert bought them, AF made O gauge. What my dad had in his youth. Those had an interesting track available. Which had tapered ties, allowing a super-elevation! I once had a box of that stuff. Boxcab E50
Thanks guys. I thought this stuff was "S" but, as Boxcab says I have also heard it called "O" so thanks for unconfusing me John
Hi John- I may have confused things as well. What you have, is most likely "S" gauge. If you want to, post a photo. And we'll know for certain. It's most likely a plastic, whereas their old "O" was metal. And much too large for what you're doing. Boxcab E50
Don't actually have any of the stuff Boxcab, just have seen it on EBay listed as possible On30 projects so it had be a bit curious. I guess they are bashing S scale stuff into the larger scale On30. I saw a couple of coaches that looked real good as On3 models bashed from S scale equipment. Didn't bid on em cuz the opening bid was too rich for my blood! John
The cars from SHS get converted to On30 also. SHS makes top notch cars and without much work they make nice cars in On30. Also some of the Bachmann On30 cars are gettting the reverse treatment, becoming old time 1890's era cars. The big problem with that is the lack of S scale Arch Bar trucks. Greg
Thanks for that! So, how do those scale out? What is the width/length of these things? Some of those reefers look good and if I could convert them... John
I almost bought an S scale passenger coach today for another kitbash off the Bay place. It strikes me that these might be better for conversion to O scale 2-foot gauge than O scale 3 foot (or On30) gauge. Anyway, after my wife hit me over the head with a rolling pin I decided not to buy anything else from the Bay for a while. I am informed that I am spending too much money there (wonder what will happen when she finds out that I just got a great Main Line Models On3 Tiffany Reefer kit from there???) John
I hope the rolling pin was not dented! Or she might be unhappy about that.... Ha ha... It's hard to resist that web site. So much usually there. So many possibilities! Boxcab E50
Snapped the dern thing in half...guess what she gets for Mother's Day?!!? Even if I don't buy I get great modeling ideas from stuff I see there. John
Hi John, To answer your question about the size of SHS reefers. They are a scale 10' x 40' in S which measures out to 7.5' x 31' in O scale. The only thing I see on them that would need changing is the S scale ladders and grab irons to O. Grandt Line makes O scale ladders and such that could be used on them and not goof up SHS's nice graphics on the cars. Hope that helps. Greg
It does, thanks Greg. Are the ladders molded on or are the affixed so they are easily removed? The scale size is right in the ballpark of many of the C & S reefers. John
Ooooooo... This is really close to Maine 2 Foot stuff! Such as my favorite WW&F. Greg- Can you tell me how tall is the car? Boxcab E50
Well the good news is the ladders on sides have wire rungs but the virtical part is cast on. So respacing the rungs will be easy. The end ladders are the same just narrower. The cast on side ladder scales out at 15" between runners. The end runners are 10" wide. IMHO the side runners could be used as is and just remove a couple of rungs and respace the rest. The stirrup steps are too small but seperate wire parts. I forgot my son had one of the SHS reefers so I borrowed it and measured the car. The new revised and accurate measurements for the car is 7' wide, 30' 6" long and 7'6" high, not counting trucks or couplers. The boards for the sides and ends scale out to 3" tongue and grove in O. With a few modifications, the SHS reefer and hoppers will make quite acceptable cars for On30 IMHO. Greg
Greg, thanks for checking this out. It is my hope to try and find some of these and convert them. Often there are S scale cars sold in "lots" on the Bay, especially if the seller thinks they are only good for parts. Maybe I can get some cheap John
Greg- These revised dimensions put an S car even closer to Maine 2 Foot size. Very tempting. It's giving me an idea.... Which could be dangerous. Ha ha. Boxcab E50
