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S gauge is a scale in model railroading. Modeled at 1:64 scale, S gauge runs on two-rail track with the rails .884 inches apart. S gauge is sometimes confused with standard gauge, a large-scale standard for toy trains in the early part of the 20th century.
History
The earliest known 1:64 scale train was constructed from card in 1896. THe first working models 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 what many consider its heyday (although there is more available in S scale today than was available during this period) . 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 to a holding company that also owned Lionel 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. Today's S gauge/S scale modelers have a greater selection and higher quality products that at any time in the past.
Narrow Gauge
- Sn3½ - 3 foot 6 inch gauge on 16.5mm gauge track (the same as HO gauge)
- Sn3 - 3 foot gauge
- Sn2 - 2 foot gauge on 10.5mm or 9mm gauge track (the same as HOn3 gauge)
Associations
The National Association of S Gaugers serves as an organization to promote all forms of S Gauge model railroading. The S Scale Model Railway Society also works to promote the scale in the UK. More S scale organizations can be found here.