One of the most simple layouts that you can have for your model trains is a simple circle oval that would fit nicely on a 4x6 sheet of plywood, with no landscaping or scenery, just model train and the track. While you could choose to layout your model railroad in this manner, it is highly unimaginative and lacks creativity.

As one of the many different scales of model trains, S-scale has a long history. It came to it peak of its popularity with the advent of the American Flyer model trains as they were produced by the A C Gilbert Company from the 1940s to the 1960s.

Trains were the first viable form of transport to hit America, especially after the Civil War. Few people today actually know about their roots and do not much care, apart from railroad model enthusiasts that is. They are fully aware of the significance of steam trains and that is why many of them today have steam model trains.

Although The American Flyer model trains were at their peak of popularity between the 1940s and the 1960s, they actually had a long history before that, and their popularity seems to be on the increase again today. William Hafner, working as a toymaker in Chicago, developed a clockwork motor for use in toy cars in the very early part of the 19th Century and by 1905 was making toy trains using that clockwork motor.