Though my current model railroad budget basically allows for only very reasonably priced motive power (kids approaching college, etc.), in the past I have owned and played with some magnificent HO brass models.
The most recently produced brass steam engines, from Sam Model Tech (formerly Samhongsa) and Boo Rim Precision, both in South Korea offer many features that do not exist in plastic or even many of the brass hybrid offerings. They offer amazing levels of detail: cab gauges that have the face and dial painted, some opening hatches (with painted piping showing beneath), very well detailed cab interiors, illuminated numberboards, sometimes illuminated classification lights, etc. The drive trains offer individually sprung drivers, which track much better over most real world HO trackwork. They run extremely well, exceptionally well.
They are of limited production, now often serial numbered runs (though as Howard Zane will tell you sometimes there are extra engines and/or there are non-serial-numbered extras from the same product run that are out there). The paint jobs can be exceptional, and all of this means the latest models, be they steam or diesel, are not inexpensive.
Though I'm currently buying old Stewart/Kato plastic diesels inexpensively, because they are a great value, generally speaking I think you get what you pay for in this hobby. The elite brass models, that are legitimately rare, at least hold their values better than many others.
I've owned several brass hybrid steamers. They have fairly rigid drive mechanisms and the big 4-8-4's derail very easily when compared to the tracking properties of the full-on brass models which have individually sprung and equalized drivers. There is a world of difference in the performance of a $600 hybrid and the full brass versions which can be $1200 or more.
For some people, perhaps even most people, the difference in performance does not justify the price difference. I get that.
The whole brass hobby is different. There are people who enjoy owning something handmade and legitimately rare, just because they enjoy collecting.
Also, some of the most valuable engines were imported by W&R, made by Samhongsa in Seoul, South Korea, and have doubled or tripled in value since their arrival in the U.S. because they are exceptionally fine models, are well built, and run. They used stainless steel valve gear and stainless steel driver tires. You can run them without the drivers showing any evidence of wear, and they are actually built to run and run. Specific examples include the Rio Grande 2-8-8-2's and Western Pacific 2-8-8-2's. These are highly coveted and do not go for cheap.
Another entirely different segment of the brass hobby includes the folks who buy the older vintage brass, tinker with it to get it to run flawlessly (engines made prior to the early 1980's may require some tinkering to run well), and they buy them because maybe that engine or nothing even remotely close to it was ever offered in plastic.
There are many roads even now for which only one or zero steam engines has ever been available in anything OTHER THAN brass, excepting perhaps a handful of USRA steam "exceptions". So if you want to legitimately model that particular road, you need the brass steamers.
Those roads include but are not limited to: Atlantic Coast Line, Seaboard Air Line, Texas & Pacific, Western Pacific, Rio Grande (standard gauge), Missouri Pacific, Boston and Maine, New Haven, Lehigh Valley, CNJ, Reading, B&LE, B&O, WM, D&H, and others.
Plenty of reasonably priced (plastic or diecast) models have been offered for PRR, NYC, SP, ATSF, UP, and a few others--but steam fans who don't want to complete extensive modifications often find themselves drawn to brass models or else USRA versions (that many roads owned and customized over time), or those known secondhand engines that went from the very biggest roads to many others.
So the answers to many questions will be "it depends".
Respectfully submitted--
John Mock
Hello—
selectorOften get engines not produced in plastic or pot metals at all.
This would probably be my top priority when choosing a brass model. There were large electric "motors" that once operated in my home city of Cleveland, Ohio. These locomotives have been made by at least three different builders in brass. This is probably a type of locomotive that would never be considered for the mass-market so it was something I was willing to pay a premium for in brass.
IMG_6789_fix by Edmund, on Flickr
It is not only locomotives. There are many examples of rolling stock and even structures that fall into this category, too.
I have always wanted an accurate representation of the private car "Ferdinand Magellan" that was specifically modified by Pullman for the exclusive use of the President of the U.S.. Accurate models have never been mass produced so the only option is to scratch build or turn to a brass model:
IMG_8223_fix by Edmund, on Flickr
selectorSometimes/often more detail, but the gap has narrowed markedly since 2009 or so.
I have purchased some 1960s era models and given them the upgrade treatment, new motor, replaced crude details with more recent lost-wax castings. For example:
IMG_8544_fix by Edmund, on Flickr
This NYC H-10 was imported by LMB models in the early 1960s. With a little fine-tuning it looks and runs as good as anything produced by the large-volume manufacturers. If it were ever produced in plastic or "hybrid" I would certainly consider adding one or more to my roster but until that unlikely prospect comes to fruition, I'll be enjoying this fifty-year old "classic" on my layout.
This is what works for me. YMMV.
Thank You, Ed
Nearly all my brass locomotives are USRA designs that have good running better detailed plastic versions available.
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The brass locomotives are easier to maintain and service. This is important to me. The designs are also rugged and simple.
I own more brass freight cars than brass locomotives. Brass freight cars give me the opportunity to own some really interesting styles of freight cars.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Sometimes heftier, but that applies to price as well.
Sometimes/often more detail, but the gap has narrowed markedly since 2009 or so.
More road/engine specific details that make for a more prototypical model. IOW, fewer USRA 'foobies' with road names that never existed.
Often get engines not produced in plastic or pot metals at all.
The feeling that you have 'invested' in an up-scale item, a prized gem that you would be proud to display.
Hi,
Since I do not own any brass vehicle, I am curious to know what is so special about them. Are they detailed beyond plastic? Is it the feeling of value and exclusiveness associated with the weight? Craftsmanship? or is it something else?
Regards
Walid