S gauge
S gauge is a scale in
model railroading. Modeled at
1:64 scale, S gauge runs on two-rail track with the rails 7/8 inch (22.2 mm) apart. S gauge is sometimes confused with
standard gauge, a large-scale standard for toy trains in the early part of the 20th century.
1:64 scale trains first appeared in
England in the early 20th century. The first trains marketed as S gauge appeared in the
1930s when
American Flyer marketed a 1:64 scale train that ran on 3-rail track similar to that of
Lionel. Following
World War II, American Flyer introduced an S-gauge train running on two-rail track for greater realism, and S gauge entered its heyday, which ended around
1959. However, during that period, Lionel outsold American Flyer nearly 2 to 1. American Flyer's parent company went out of business and the brand was sold to Lionel in
1967.
Lionel reintroduced S gauge trains and accessories under the American Flyer name in
1979. Another manufacturer,
American Models, entered the marketplace in
1981.
S-Helper Service, another major S gauge locomotive and rolling stock manufacturer, began operations in 1990.
The
National Association of S Gaugers serves as an organization to promote all forms of
S Gauge model railroading.
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Rail transport modelling
