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S Scale - a model railroad term referring to a proportional size of 1:64 (or 3/16" = 1'-0").

This term is often used interchangably with "S Gauge". (Go directly to Wikipedia's S gauge entry.)

Strictly speaking, scale is the relation of the size of a model to that of its prototype, and gauge is simply the distance between the railheads.

However, within the modeling community the terms "Scale" and "Gauge" seem to have taken on very specific connotations. In many cases, the original "toy" trains were built of plated & lithographed tin and/or thick printed cardstock, making use of oversized wheels & couplings and running on trackage sections that were designed more for ease of use and robust service rather than pure fidelity of reproduction. Small or delicate details were often represented as simple graphics on the models or even omitted altogether. This style of modeling enjoys a large and enthusiastic following to this day, with a brisk trade in both vintage and contemporary models. Many annual public events are held to promote and proudly display fine examples of the genre. These "tinplate" works and displays are most often (rightly or wrongly) associated with the term "S Gauge", perhaps because many of the early firms marketed their wares using this specific phrase.

As production methods and consumer tastes changed over the years, more accurately detailed models were made available by manufacturers and constructed by enthusiasts. In an effort to distiguish these efforts from the "tinplate" products, the term "S Scale" has been adopted by the adherents of this "higher fidelity" approach. Examples of scale works are seen at many shows every year but, it must be honestly noted, there are fewer modelers in the 1:64 proportion than almost any other. This means fewer models on display than in the remaining, arguably more popular, scales followed within the hobby.

Neither approach to this facet of model railroading is incorrect or less worthy of pursuit. In spite of this, the S modeling community often appears fractured and divisive to newcomers. Factions focusing on modern diesel, early steam, narrow gauge, standard gauge, "scale", and "tinplate" all exist within 1:64. There are simply fewer 1:64 modelers to populate each of these interest groups. Given the low population base, commercial manufacturers typically treat this as a niche market and offer an understandably limited range of low volume (higher price) products to choose from. The economics of the situation can force modelers into building their own objects of desire from basic raw materials, which has given rise to the belief that S is purely a scratchbuilder's scale. It must be said that there are several manufacturers that offer ready-to-run items of high quality and reasonable price in 1:64; seemingly more now than ever in the past.

Please see Craig O'Connell's S scale pages for more comprehensive historical information, club listings, and vendor links.

See the National Association of S Gaugers website for further reading.