About the Club

The Cuyahoga Valley S Gauge Association is the oldest S Gauge Model Railroad Club in Ohio. Original founded by a small group of dedicated 1:64th model railroad enthusiasts, the club has grown to include over 90 members. Members range from American Flyer collectors and operators to fine scale brass modelers, there is even a narrow-gauge community within the club! Even with such diverse specialties, members come together to share their ideas, experience, and knowledge of railroading with one another.

The primary focus of the group is to come together and promote and share in the fun of modeling trains in 3/16" model railroading. To help further this cause the club maintains and operators three portable layout displays, setting up at local train shows to help bring exposure to the gauge, and to answer show attendees questions concerning our scale. As a club we are always looking for and encouraging new members to join.

The club meets at the homes of club members (on a volunteer basis) on the third Sunday of the month, except for December, when we host our annual Christmas Party at a local restaurant (usually train theme or within eye shot of local tracks for some added train watching).

Just What is "S"

"S" Gauge is modeling in 1/64th scale. That is, one foot equals 64 feet in real life. In other terms, 3/16 of an inch represents one scale foot. When comparing to others scales, it falls directly between "O's" 1/48th scale and 'HO's" 1/87th scale. It combines the best qualities of those two sizes by being small enough to allow for large layouts, yet large enough to provide excellent detail.

The history of "S" goes back more than fifty years. It was first manufactured by CD Models Company of Cleveland after World War II, the A. C. Gilbert Company popularized "S" Gauge when it began to mass-produce electric trains under the famous name American Flyer. When Gilbert went out of business in the Sixties, devoted "S" Gauge enthusiasts pick up the reins and kept the scale alive. Today, there are over fifty producers of "S" gauge products. Lionel even resurrected American Flyer to complement its "O" Gauge line.

Click here for Membership Application