Copyright 2002 T. Sheil & A. Sheil All Rights Reserved

All Gauge Model Railroading Page

4' by 6' Layout Plans

for

American Flyer S Gauge Track

The 4' by 8' table was not "standard" when American Flyer S gauge first arrived. In those days, 5' by 9' was common because it was the size of a ping pong table. The wider curves used by American Flyer fit it well. For smaller layouts, however, the 19.5" radius / 38" diameter curve can be difficult. The 4' by 6' is perhaps the smallest one can go and still have an action-packed layout for S gauge. As you can see, good track work mitigates any difficulties caused by the wider curves. Though it is a tight fit occasionally ,and requires some fudging and budging, American Flyer S gauge track works admirably well to provide a small but exciting railway.

Our examples make use of Plasticville buildings and modern reproductions of American Flyer accessories. Our aim is to use materials which are easily available. Older out-of-production items are costly, and can be hard to find. They also involve delving into the whimsical collector market, which is best avoided. Unfortunately, there are no current scenery libraries for S and1/64 scale buildings.Plasticville was commonly used by S Gaugers in the Postwar era. You can substitute scale buildings for the examples we show. It was our intention to provide you with some idea of how scenery might look, and the Plasticville library does that well.

Be advised that American Flyer track is still available because so much of it had been made. However, you can seamlessly substitute the new S Helper Service 'S-Trax", which uses a similar track geometry.

There are four layouts on this page. For the next four, ther is a link near the bottom of this page

This is a basic plan which makes full use of the wide curves.
(6) AF S-54 curve
(15) AF #702 S-40 curve
(3) AF #700 straight
(4) AF #720 remote right-hand turnout
(2) AF #701 half straight
(1) AF #720 remote left-hand turnout
(2) AF #703 S-40 half curve
(3) AF #730 lighted bumper
(1) Plasticville 1701 New England ranch home
(2) Plasticville #1502 Cape Cod house
(1) Plasticville #1603 Ranch house
(1) Plasticville #1908 split-level house
(1) Plasticville 1629 bungalow house
(1) Plasticville 1907 apartment house
(1) Plasticville #1500 diner
(1) Plasticville 1618 TV transmitter station
(1) Plasticville #1602 post office
(1) Plasticville GO-2 small gas station
(1) Plasticville #1611 hardware store
(1) Plasticville #1612 5 & 10 store
(1) Plasticville #1853 drug store
(1) Plasticville SM-6 small super market
(1) Plasticville 1613 large super market
(1) Plasticville #1626 corner store
(1) MTH 30-11051 AF#23772 water tower
(1) MTH 30-9043 AF coaler

Our example is done as a suburban area, with homes in the center and a shopping district around it.

This classic-type layout is great for switching and shunting.
(10) AF #701 half straight
(16) AF #702 S-40 curve
(7) AF #720 remote left-hand turnout
(10) AF #700 straight
(2) AF #720 remote right-hand turnout
(6) AF #730 lighted bumper
(1) Lionel® 22997 #2300 oil drum loader
(1) Plasticville #1602 post office
(1) Plasticville #1611 hardware store
(1) Plasticville #1801 bank
(1) Plasticville #1612 5 & 10 store
(1) Plasticville #1626 corner store
(1) Plasticville 1613 large super market
(1) Plasticville #1500 diner
(1) Plasticville #1853 drug store
(1) Plasticville 1401 Frosty Bar
(1) Plasticville SM-6 small super market
(1) Plasticville 1402 switch tower
(3) Plasticville 1620 loading platform
(1) Plasticville 1907 apartment house
(1) MTH 30-9126 AF#23780 lamplighter
(1) MTH 30-9119 AF #787 log loader
(1) MTH 30-9122 AF #796 sawmill
(1) MTH 30-9043 AF coaler
(1) MTH 30-11051 AF#23772 water tower
(1) MTH 30-9033 #494 rotary beacon

Here we have a "town center" surrounded by an industrial area. It is inspired by places in the Essex, Union and Passaic County areas of New Jersey.

Spurs and sidings make the difference for an action layout.
(17) AF #702 S-40 curve
(5) AF #700 straight
(4) AF #720 remote left-hand turnout
(3) AF #720 remote right-hand turnout
(2) AF #703 S-40 half curve
(6) AF #701 half straight
(5) AF #730 lighted bumper
(1) Plasticville #1801 bank
(1) Plasticville #1626 corner store
(1) Plasticville #1607 fire station
(1) Plasticville #1602 post office
(1) Plasticville #1611 hardware store
(2) Plasticville #1612 5 & 10 store
(1) Plasticville #1853 drug store
(1) Plasticville 1613 large super market
(1) Plasticville #1500 diner
(1) Plasticville 1200 station platform
(1) Plasticville 1620 loading platform
(1) MTH 30-9122 AF #796 sawmill
(1) MTH 30-9119 AF #787 log loader
(1) MTH 30-9043 AF coaler
(1) MTH 30-9126 AF#23780 lamplighter
(1) MTH 30-11051 AF#23772 water tower

In our example, the edge of town is at one end, while the rest is an industrial area.

If you like longer trains, you get longer runs here.
(17) AF #702 S-40 curve
(7) AF #700 straight
(5) AF #720 remote right-hand turnout
(3) AF #703 S-40 half curve
(2) AF #720 remote left-hand turnout
(5) AF #701 half straight
(5) AF #730 lighted bumper
(1) Lionel® 22997 #2300 oil drum loader
(1) Plasticville #1801 bank
(1) Plasticville #1607 fire station
(1) Plasticville #1626 corner store
(1) Plasticville #1614 police station
(1) Plasticville #1602 post office
(1) Plasticville #1612 5 & 10 store
(1) Plasticville #1611 hardware store
(1) Plasticville SM-6 small super market
(1) Plasticville #1500 diner
(3) Plasticville 1200 station platform
(2) Plasticville 1620 loading platform
(1) MTH 30-9043 AF coaler
(1) MTH 30-9119 AF #787 log loader
(1) MTH 30-9122 AF #796 sawmill
(1) MTH 30-9126 AF#23780 lamplighter
(1) MTH 30-11051 AF#23772 water tower

Our example places the town at the edge, leaving a wider industrial area for accessories.

Click here for the remaining 4' by 6' layouts for American Flyer S gauge

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