What's a good brass loco?

[Anonymous]

I am new to the hobby and just like the look and feel of a brass steam locomotive. What companies make good ones in HO and what do you look for as indicators of quality? I am most likely to buy a Micado, Pacific, Consolidated or Hudson.

[dknelson]

Heh heh -- the GOOD brass locos are the ones I bought years ago for $75.
Let me tell you -- brass steam can be tricky stuff. The first brass steamer I bought I couldn't wait to run - I lubed it per instructions, gave it some break in time upside down, then on the layout -- after one full circle many of the screws holding the valve gear in place had worked loose and the valve gear was flopping around! Fortunately the manufacturer, North West Short Line, was very generous and sent me an entire packet of replacement mini screws. But the same thing happened with an engine from an other make and they did nothing about it-- I gather this is expected!
Frankly given brass prices today I question whether they are really intended to be used or are intended to be backed away for collectible appreciation value.

but if you are bound and determined I think Overland is a good make. I have one of their steamers and apart from having to replace the pilot truck, which looked beatiful but would not track through any curve or any turnout, it is quite handsome.

If you cannot tell -- I am not as enthused about brass as I was before I got a few.

Dave Nelson

[Anonymous]

I've only had 5 brass locos, all of them steam engines. 2 Oriental Limited and 3 Sunsets. All of them developed shorts. My advice is to save your self the money and buy plastic. I have 4 Proto 2000 Heritage 0-8-0s and 2 0-6-0s, 1 Athearn 2-8-2 mikado and haven't had a problem yet.

[Anonymous]

Thanks to both you, Dave, and to Robert, I'll be most careful. The brass locos just seem to look nicer -- maybe it's the paint . . .

[Pruitt]

Interesting. I've got an old PFM 4-8-2 that runs very well. I've got a heavy 2-8-2 that runs fairly well, and a 4-6-2 that runs great. I also have a couple of smaller locos, but I don't know how well they run since I don't have a layout now.

Until just a couple of years ago, the only alternatives to brass steam in HO were really junk, except perhaps for Bowser's kits, of which I've never constructed one, so I can't comment).

The newer plastic looks great, and I have a friend with some of them and they run really great, so if I can find easily-modifiable ones (so I can match specific prototypes), I'll be buysing some of these good plastic steamers as well.

[Anonymous]

I have a PFM United B&O 0-8-0 that runs well.
It gives some gear noise but otherwise the performance is smooth.

I like the new plastic steam too. I'm in the process of modifying an Athearn Mike into a B&O Q3.

[Anonymous]

I really can't comment on the Brass question because I've never bought any. Plastic I can. I don't think the return on investment is that great for me to; 'invest' in brass at this time. Don't get me wrong, I would love to have a couple of brass loco's just to say "I have some Brass", but the only way I'll obtain it is through inheritance. I like the recent plastic for the detail that is showing up.

If you have the money to sit around and not work for you, get the brass. If not, buy the plastic. There are a lot of good manufactures out there at this point in time. You can get some excellent operating Motive power.

John

[Anonymous]

Thanks, John. All these answers have been most helpful. Evidently plastic is pretty good these days.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, John. All these answers have been most helpful. Evidently plastic is pretty good these days.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, John. All these answers have been most helpful. Evidently plastic is pretty good these days.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, John. All these answers have been most helpful. Evidently plastic is pretty good these days.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, John. All these answers have been most helpful. Evidently plastic is pretty good these days.

[Anonymous]

I agree with everyone else. Any brass engines I have owned have required a lot of extra tuning and frequently remotoring. Most of it is beyond my capabilities so I pay through the nose to have someone else tweak them. As a result, I don't intend to acquire much brass. On the other hand, there are finally a lot of great steam prototypes in plastic and they look almost as good as brass and run much better. My Athearn Mike and Bachman 2-8-0 run like very quiet tops. I've seen superdetailed and repainted plastic models that are top notch. If you operate...buy plastic. If you collect...buy brass.
Dennis

[Anonymous]

Without reading the rest of the posts, I just have to say. With the price and quality of the latest plastic steamers, who needs brass? Unless you are wanting a specific variation on a specific prototype, why pay big-bucks for an inferior product? Most of the time any plastic model can be detailed to represent your goal.
Heck, I've superdetailed and custom painted Athearn GP-9's that would take first place in a model contest if it weren't for the out of scale hood. Now, I'm afraid to buy "scale-hood-width" GP-9's, Because they would make my "masterpieces" look second-rate. Remember, "Model Railroading is fun"....... (Now, if I can just figure out how to find bi-centennial decals for GTW GP-38)....

Enjoy this wonderful hobby!
Todd C.