A.C. Gilbert's Pre-War 3/16 Scale Cars
During the late 1930s and early 1940s, the A.C. Gilbert Company produced a number of 3/16 Scale freight and passenger cars in 'O' Gauge that ran on traditional 3-rail track. This would serve as the template for the Post-War switch to 'S' Gauge 2-rail operation.
The transformation from Chicago era American Flyer equipment is seen primarily in much greater attention to detail. The old school Flyer's toy-like appearance evolved into locomotives and rolling stock that more closely resembled real trains.