Page 22 - B2B 13 to 18

Layout and Track Planning
Layout building techniques are just the same as for other scales. Any track plan can be modified to suit S-scale trains. Early Model Railroader track plans used to have a chart showing that if the track plan was for example in HO, 12” on the plan could be taken as 18” for S. i.e. HO x 1.5. Of course, this is an oversimplification but certainly a good base with which to start. The NMRA has long set down Recommended Practices (RP) which show that for a Standard Trunk line using “Steam Locos of 24’ rigid wheelbase, all Diesel and Electric Locos and Cars of 80’ or less”, should have 32” radius curves in HO and 43.5” radius curves in S. (RP11) i.e. HO x 1.36.
However, because proprietary S-gauge is based on AF 19” radius, the question of what radius is chosen depends more on personal choice. Hi-Rail Steam Locos have the centre flanges missing and obviously look very toy like on these sharp curves. All brass steam will likely need those NMRA RP curves though all 4-axle proprietary diesel style Locos with scale wheels will be happy on 19” radius track even with scale wheels fitted but will not operate through HiRail Turnouts. The main proprietary Steam Locos and various 6- axle diesels with scale NASG and NMRA standard profile wheels will operate on 27” radius. The 70’ passenger cars offered by AM all use “Talgo” mounted couplers so will operate on tight curves. Full 80’ length cars need 27” radius curves. Freight cars generally with body mounted KD 802 type couplings, have great switching ability. The main characteristics that still need careful attention are track centres, reverse curves and clearances.
toy like, about #3.5 to match their 19” radius curves. American Models (AM) track is code 148 treated brass with plastic sleepers and claimed to be “Universal” i.e. usable with both Hi-Rail and Scale standard wheels. However, their #5 turnouts need to have a simple modification for use with Scale wheels. Both sectional and flexible track is offered with, in the past, 21”, 24” and 27 radii though currently only 27” radius. Some modellers, the best-known being Mr. Brooks Stover, use Hi Rail wheels with AM track but with Kadee type couplers. Thus, they can operate AF on their layouts. In Brooks’ case, his are highly detailed for his superbly scenic and prototypical layout based on the famous “Buffalo Creek and Gauley R.R.”.
Photo 3 Top AF tinplate track, middle AM “Universal” Sectional Track Lower “Tomalco” code 100 flex track
MTH, which now offers models based on the former SHS Showcase range, offers sectional Track with built in ballast using nickel silver (NS) code 132 rail with 20”, 25” and 30” curves and about #3.5 turnouts with an moving frog which should allow the use of scale wheels but my tests showed they were unreliable except with Hi-Rail standards. A new manufacturer, FOX, has recently started offering good quality track with Code 132. I have not examined any samples. Tomalco offer flexible track, made for them by Micro Engineering, with NS rail of Code 100, 83 and 75 available. Wood detailed plastic ties with fine moulded spikes on tie plates make for realistic track work. Their turnout range offers turnouts from #4 to #10, curved types from 36/30” to 60/48” radius, 3-way, Y, a #6 double slip and crossings from 14 to 90 degrees, all glued to wood laser cut “rafts” of ties. This construction technique needs spikes added after positioning to provide a more robust result. Super-detailing parts are also available. Shinohara offered code 100 flex track with #6 and #8 turnouts all with plastic ties but have recently ceased S-scale production, but likely still be available at stockists. Marcway offer #6 S-scale turnouts, Code 100 NS rail soldered to PC board ties. These are very robust and operate well. These were previously offered under the Whiteoak Models brand.
Photo 2 Coupler types, from left, AF, KD 802 on old AF Car, KD 802 on AM Car and AM “snap-loc” on their Budd Car.
Track/Code/Gauge
Proprietary manufacturers have their own brands of track, but all these are aimed at the 80% Hi-Rail Market. Original American Flyer (AF) track, still widely available in USA, is tinplate of about code 220. Turnouts are very coarse and
16 ROUNDHOUSE - December 2019