Rick,
All things stated by Rusty are correct but, keep in mind that the decision between scale and American Flyer is the tie breaker. I lean much more toward the AF toy train/high rail side of the tracks. I do have the Big Boy and the Challenger, and run on the original AC Gilbert track. This track has the tighter radii approx. 20". This does give a good deal of cab overhang on curves with the Big Boy and the Challenger, but the tight curves also allow for more layout in a given area. It does come down to what you want more, scale realism or more trains in a limited space. The layout in my basement is only 8 ft. wide at its widest point, most is 6 ft. wide and about 35 ft. long. Using the original AF track and TMCC/Legacy system we have had as many as six people running trains on a play trains session, limited only by the number of hand held remotes available. I enjoy watching other club members running trains, having fun, and enjoying themselves as much or more than operating trains myself.
Ray
