Overland models

[Todd McWilliam]

How are Overland HO models? do they run well? and are they detailed?

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Todd McWilliam

How are Overland HO models? do they run well? and are they detailed?

Brass models - I have some: Run well, smooth and because of the heavy weight they are powerful - some older runs bad, but older means about 10 years ago.
The question about the details is a little joke ?[:D] Overland models are 150% copies from the prototype - you will find absolute each detail !!!
Atlas is "bad" against Overland! [:D] (SOOOOOOORY ATLAS ! Your models are perfect but Overland is like Bo Derek in movie "10" - ABSOLUTE PERFECT)

The biggest "mistake" is the price - Each model will be produced in a limited and numbered series and they cost much more than a Kato (7 - 10 times) - but are worth every cent.[;)]

One of my models is UP´s DD40AX - It´s 5 or 6 years old and I find the details unbelievable until today. [8D]

Visit http://www.overlandmodels.com - enjoy this trip!

[CNJ831]

I agree with bigboy, most OMI models are excellent and I own a number. Smooth runners, good pullers. As to detail, once you own a good brass model and can check it detail for detail against the latest plastic entries into the market (at least with regard to steamers in my case), the statement that new plastic is as good/detailed as brass becomes a joke.

CNJ831

[dknelson]

My Overland Models C&NW red cabooses are SO beautiful to look at that now I am afraid to run them on the layout!
I continue to think Athearn is missing a bet by not producing their bay window caboose in C&NW red -- while it is not an exact model of the CNW prototype it is close in a generic sort of way, and there are now tons of P2K diesels out there in C&NW paint that need red, not yellow, bay window cabooses.
Dave Nelson

[mls1621]

I purchased an OMI 8500HP Turbine in N scale about three years ago.

The detail is amazing, but I was disappointed in the way it ran.

During the encoder installation, I found the reason for the bad operation, the electrcal contacts at the wheels and between the trucks and chassis were marginal.

By tweaking the contacts, for better engagement and applying some conductive grease, the operation is as good as the best ready to run.

My layout was on the tour during a regoinal convention in June and it ran steadily for four hours straight, trailing 45 cars, without a single problem.

If they have what you want and the price doesn't scare you off, go for it.

[Anonymous]

Overland Models products are some of the best detailed models in the industry. There is no comparison to plastic or BLI when it comes to detail, however, I would be the first to admit the prices are not comparable either. All of their latest diesels are $930 list price. Nobody pays that as the dealers sell those for about $720 to $750. I stopped buying the new diesels recently after getting four of the SD70M's flaired radiator units. I can never get my money of of them for many years and maybe never if Kato or Horizon brings in the same version.

My collection is mostly brass and Overland is one of the main importers in my collection. When it comes to absolute detail, I have to believe Challenger and Division Point are equal to Overland and might have raised the bar on detail with the last few imports.

[Anonymous]

I've had my and my hands on a few Overland models. There is no comparison to plastic, the level of detail will blow you away, but then again, so does the price. I just can't bring myself to shell out $500 plus for a single engine. I always think in terms of fleets, I'd rather buy 4 or 5 decent plastic engines over one brass. I'm some day though I'll cave in.

[Anonymous]

I have some OMI Milwaukee Road Steam and some DM&IR diesels and they are beautiful worth every penny. If you have any questions on where to buy from , email me. If you have the money for them go for it you will not regret it.

[AntonioFP45]

Todd,

When you see OMI models up close, you'll really appreciate the quality and detail that goes into these locomotives. Most of them are out of my price range, but like Dgoodlander, I may go for one some day.

Specifically I'm on the lookout for an HO New Haven EP5 Electric. Some are still in stock,however, the $790 price tag is a very long stretch. That's about the equvilent of 7 to 10 new HO P2K locomotives. I'm hoping that I'll eventually find an OMI EP5 on Ebay or at a train show. Nothing wrong with hoping![:D][8D][;)][8)]

The prototypes used to zip by at about 85 m.p.h with long passenger trains up in the New York / Connecticut area where I grew up. The 60s and 70s seem like yesterday. (O.K, yes I'm getting old!)[:p]

Cheers!

[the-big-blow]

I own MANY OMI models and are very pleased with every one. My gems are 2 Milwaukee Road Little Joes and a Three Unit UP Gas turbine. The joes even have spoked wheels the way the prototypes do. Most people veiw people who buy brass as snobs, but if you want a great model that will hold its value for years to come buy OMI. I can't think of many models in plastic that I have now worth what I paid for them.

[AntonioFP45]

QUOTE: Originally posted by the-big-blow

I own MANY OMI models and are very pleased with every one. My gems are 2 Milwaukee Road Little Joes and a Three Unit UP Gas turbine. The joes even have spoked wheels the way the prototypes do. Most people veiw people who buy brass as snobs, but if you want a great model that will hold its value for years to come buy OMI. I can't think of many models in plastic that I have now worth what I paid for them.

Big Blow---More power to you! I've seen the prototype photos of the locomotives you mentioned and they were impressive!

If modelers can afford brass then by all means they should enjoy them. Brass owners should not ever be viewed as snobs! That's almost like saying that most people that drive Jaguars, or Mercedes Benzes are snobs while Chevy owners are down to earth.............no justification at all.

Don't forget that even among plastic locomotive choices some modelers have stuck with the Athearn Blue Box locomotives because they cannot afford the new Atlas, Kato, or Broadway Limited units.

Brass owners, enjoy your locomotives and when you can, post a picture or two of those nicely detailed units!

Cheers!

[orsonroy]

I've got three Overland cabooses and two steamers (NYC H-5a Mikes), all built in the late 1970s and early 1980s. (I bought them all used) They're very well built, and for their time, extremely well detailed. The cabooses lack all but rudimentary underframe detailing thich is blown away by today's resin manufacturers. As for the steam, one H-5 runs like a dream, while the other has a crapped out gearbox (a problem for them in the late 1970s). The detailing is very good, but is lacking in some areas (secondary piping, mostly).

Since I'm not a collector, I don't have much experience with newer brass. From what I've seen, Overland is second only to Division Point in terms of overall detailing and finish.

[Todd McWilliam]

Thanks for the info, but I am an Athearn RTR and Blue box guy, I'm still in college [V][V][V], but someday I can move up to the higher priced locomotives.[^]

[Anonymous]

I understand where your are at Todd, since I was there too. I started out with Athearn blue boxs and super detailed them and I did enjoy doing that. The one thing that makes me buy brass is the somewhat odd railroad I model, DM&IR. At the time there were no plastic models of SD38's SD38-2's or SD38AC's so brass was my answer. Some people are able to build locomotives from plastic from scratch but I've been there and done it, and I sucked at it. Another thing was time, I need to build scenery and everything else so I had to focus on either locomotives or the rest of "my world". Take a look at ebay now and then you might be able to find something on there. I bought a few engines off of there and have had no problems.

Here is a link to see some shots of my layout, not the greatest photographer yet but working on it.

http://www.railimages.com/gallery/michaelmiller