Most poorly running Alco models are the diesels and electics that are set up drive train wise similar to a diesel. The gears in the trucks tend to shink from age and split, thus rendering the engine dead in the water. You can get replacements from NWSL to get them running again. I used to use Sagami motors till their plant was destroyed by the Kobi earthquake in Japan a few years ago. I watch for them at shows and on the popular auction site. Maxon motors are good as are the helix humper motors that while made for Athearn repowers, also work well in other applications. Cheers Mike
LHS mechanic and geniune train and antique garden tractor nut case!
I picked up my first brass loco a couple years ago. It is a HO scale CP Huntington.
I picked up my second one a couple weeks ago A HO scale 0-8-0T by Toby for NWSL.
I believe it was modeled after the below loco.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
twhite Tatans: Well, as one of the people who owns 50+ OPERATING brass steamers, I can tell you that I'm a real happy camper, LOL! I like brass. With TLC it can be made to run very smoothly, and with some re-balancing and re-weighting when needed, they can be made into really STRONG, smooth pullers. As I've said before, my brass collection is a matter of necessity because of the railroads I model (Rio Grande, Southern Pacific big steam) and at least in my case, once bitten by the 'Brass Bug', about all you want to do is go with it. And brass is very forgiving and for the most part, extremely easy to work on. And I agree, that right now, the market for buying used brass is about the best I've seen in any number of years. Tom
Tatans:
Well, as one of the people who owns 50+ OPERATING brass steamers, I can tell you that I'm a real happy camper, LOL! I like brass. With TLC it can be made to run very smoothly, and with some re-balancing and re-weighting when needed, they can be made into really STRONG, smooth pullers.
As I've said before, my brass collection is a matter of necessity because of the railroads I model (Rio Grande, Southern Pacific big steam) and at least in my case, once bitten by the 'Brass Bug', about all you want to do is go with it. And brass is very forgiving and for the most part, extremely easy to work on. And I agree, that right now, the market for buying used brass is about the best I've seen in any number of years.
Tom
I came late to appreciate brass models and bought a few because of availability and detail of some specific models I wanted to run. Often it's only in brass that some Road specific models can be obtained - that's without going all out to detail up, say, a generic steamer as run on your favourite road. Some of the brass models I bought were ridiculously cheap, while the purchase of one model - a Baldwin Centipede - stopped any further dreams of brass from becoming a reality. I sold nearly all of my brass models to fund this giant leaving me with only about four in total now. Like many other modelers without a big check-book, large purchasing desisions are often determined after answering this question: What do I have to forget about buying so that I can purchase this or that.
tatans I often wonder how the people that own countless numbers of brass feel about their collections.
I often wonder how the people that own countless numbers of brass feel about their collections.
Tom View my layout photos! http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm310/TWhite-014/Rio%20Grande%20Yuba%20River%20Sub One can NEVER have too many Articulateds!
climaxpwr For those that might be considering owning a brass engine, I have had many, repowered and regeared several. So if you have questions, feel free to ask me. For vintage steam, you cannot go wrong with PFM. I took a chance when I bought the Alco models G46 steamer, was really supprised how well it ran. Most of the early diesels are about worthless for operation, but for the right price, you can put a better power chassis in them.
Climaxpwr;
I've finally been able to land something that I've wanted for a long time, an HO EF4 Little Joe brass model, it is an Alco models product, and I have heard alot of bad press on the running qualities of the Alco models. But with the other brass models of the Little Joe going for $800-1200, I decide I could work on the Alco version. When I ran it, it did not seem to run as bad as I had expected, and this is before I cleaning the wheels and oiling the mechanism, I'm very happy with the quality and the price of this model. Maybe no major tweaking will be needed.
I may be in touch with you for some re-motoring advice if you don't mind, the Joe doesn't fit in with my present prototype and I am in no hurry to get anything done, I'm just happy to have a "Joe".
GS
"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination."-Albert Einstein
http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/
I must admit brass prices have dropped considerably, of course there still are $1800.00 and up engines out there, but for @ $300.00 you can pick up some magnificent locomotives, There is a bit of nostalgia and pride in owning a brass steamer, I often wonder how the people that own countless numbers of brass feel about their collections.
Its a buyers market right now. I was just over on a brass site and saw several PFM steamers, mainly PRR stuff under $300. One was a really nice K4, unpainted in its original box for $295. Thats a good price, would have been atleast $100 more a few years ago. The newer stuff from BLI and others have really put the hurt on the older used brass market. But the resale value and respect for brass will never go away. When I go to to shows with operating layouts. A nice BLI steamer will get a few comments, while a beautifully painted brass, even without sound will get lots and lots of comments.
Good for you. I'm looking to get a brass engine sooner or later.
- Luke
Modeling the Southern Pacific in the 1960's-1980's
Having been away from the USA side of HO modeling for a few years now, and having moved back to where I grew up and rejoining the local HO club. I needed a few USA prototype locos to run there. I still had my old Athearn SW7 and a Atlas/Roco SD35 that are both painted for the Turtle Creek Central, but I am a steam fan. A good friend in the club that I sold many of my locomotives to years ago is thinning his collection and put up for sale one of my favorite brass steamers. Its a NYC G46 2-8-0 imported from Alco models and built by Rok Am models. Its can motored, pro painted and weathered and runs smooth and quiet, but its a bit slippery on grades. I never lighted the MV lense in the headlight so I will give it proper lighting and add some ballest so she can pull more. While I cannot run it here at home, she will look nice on the mantle in a display case. Other than my old PFM Brass I had over the years, this one ran the best. The PFM stuff runs so well for open frame motors, even better if repowered with a can motor and flywheel. I will post a pic as soon as I pick up the engine tomorrow. For those that might be considering owning a brass engine, I have had many, repowered and regeared several. So if you have questions, feel free to ask me. For vintage steam, you cannot go wrong with PFM. I took a chance when I bought the Alco models G46 steamer, was really supprised how well it ran. Most of the early diesels are about worthless for operation, but for the right price, you can put a better power chassis in them.