Two guys who gave up on O gauge trains | O Gauge Forum (2024)

FAQs

Did American Flyer make O gauge trains? ›

In 1918, American Flyer introduced its first electric train, an O gauge model that was simply a windup model with an electric motor in place of the clockwork motor. This was a common practice at the time.

In the United States, O gauge is defined as 1:48 (0.25 inches to the foot, "quarter inch scale" - 1/4 inch equals one foot). This is also a common dollhouse scale, giving more options for buildings, figures, and accessories. Many O gauge layouts are also accessorized with 1:43.5 scale model cars.

O SCALE - (Proportion Ratio 1:48. Looking at the front of a typical O Scale train engine or boxcar, the dimensions are an average 4" High x 2.5" Wide.)

Which Gauges Are Most Lionel Trains? Most Lionel trains run on two similar, related track gauges: O gauge and O-27 gauge.

The company discontinued the American Flyer train line in 1966 and finally declared bankruptcy in 1967. All the Gilbert Halls of Science had been closed by 1966. It was announced on January 30, 1967 that the A.C. Gilbert Company was getting ready to call it quits.

In the late 1930's the American Flyer line was bought by The A.C. Gilbert, Co. of New Haven Connecticut, headed by A.C. Gilbert the inventor of Erector sets and many other toys. Gilbert had already begun the manufacture of an HO line of trains.

The use of a third rail in rail transport modelling is a technique that was once applied, in order to facilitate easier wiring. Early O gauge track pieces. All metal, with a small fibre insulating washer beneath each central rail chair.

A: O and O-27 use the same width straight track so O-27 trains can run on O Gauge track and in some cases O Gauge trains can run on O-27 track. The primary difference between the track from an appearance standpoint is the height of O Gauge track compared to that of O-27.

In the last 20 years or so, most of the motors for both Lionel and MTH, as well as AtlasO, Weaver, 3rd Rail, and other manufacturers of 0 Gauge 3 rail trains, use DC motors. There is a rectifier that converts the AC power in the track to DC in the locomotive.

O scale is obviously a much larger commitment—HO scale is half the size, and is one of the most popular scales due to its relatively easy entry point. Smaller scales, therefore, can be ideal for beginners, but larger scales allow you to create much more detail and realism in your layouts.

Is O gauge bigger than oo gauge? ›

Our collection doesn't just include O gauge trains, but also O scale cars, buses, military vehicles, and even emergency vehicles from brands that produce models in this scale like Corgi and Oxford Diecast. Remember that O scale is bigger than OO scale, so always double check what you're buying before purchasing.

If you have old HO, N, or Large scale trains(with the exception of LGB and Marklin trains), there is at best a smaller collector's market for them. Unless you are lucky enough to find the “right buyer,” or have a very specific train that collectors are just drooling over, the resale value is minimal.

The US standard railroad gauge is 4 feet, 8.5 inches (Gauge means width between the two rails).

Recent auction results indicate that pre-war Lionel trains generally sell for a few hundred dollars per lot, with exceptional examples selling for a few thousand dollars.

The most popular size of American Flyer is “S” Gauge, which runs on two rail track. It is scaled 3/16″ to the inch, slightly smaller than “O” Gauge. American Flyer was also made in “HO”, “O” Gauge and a scaled “O” Gauge of 3/16″ to the foot, by The A.C. Gilbert Co., after they bought American Flyer.

Identifying American Flyer trains is easy, since every piece ever produced has emblazoned on it a big three (early models) or five-digit (later ones) product number and the name American Flyer.

Starting in 1915, Lionel followed most of its U.S. competitors and adopted the smaller O gauge standard for its budget-level trains. During the pre-Great War era, Lionel competed with Ives Manufacturing Company, Boucher Manufacturing Company, Dorfan, Louis Marx and Company and American Flyer.

Standard gauge is 4 feet, 8-1/2 inches. This is the gauge used when steam railroading began. It became the common gauge of Britain, North America, and Western Europe — except for Spain, Portugal, and Ireland.