I inadvertantly purchased my first brass model and it was one that I wasn't expecting (I always thought it'd be a smaller 2-8-0 or Mikado). A Westside/KTM TTT-6 2-10-2 came up on the 'bay with a $250 buy it now price, I offered $200. I told myself that if the seller could at least cover the cost of shipping with a small discount I'd probably bite. They came back with $225 and sure enough, 3 days later its at my door step.
My only experience with brass is my BLI brass-hybrid 4-12-2, so I suppose technically my first all-brass model. Brasstrains has some in their guide from Westside, seem to be 1978 or there abouts. The seller told me that it ran sluggishly. They sell a lot of trains (I'm thinking estate sale stuff) and they could test them, but weren't comfortable opening them up. I figured if I had to, I could probably re-motor it, there's a ton of resources on that subject.
I put it on some test track and sure enough, it runs but it sounds like there is some gear slipping. Broken or worn gear tower? I open it up, and the KTM gear tower was replaced with a NWSL 36/1 gear tower, likely to slow the model down. Not only that, the open frame 3-pole motor I was anticipating was already replaced with a nice sized can! Turns out, the 'gear slipping' that was happening was the old black rubber u-joint sleeve was failing. I'm in the process of ordering a HobbyTown universal coupling kit to replace it with. The chassis is free rolling, no quartering issues to contend with.
Interestingly, the tender is numbered differently from the engine. I wonder if there was a mix up and the original owner had multiples, and this tender ended up on this one by mistake.
The paint seems okay, not professional but not thick either. I may send it off to a professional - if anyone has any recommendations I'm all ears. Won't be for a while but it'll be nice to know.
Once I can get it running smooth with a new u-joint, it's first stop will be DCC/sound installation. Still pondering the where's and hows of decoder and speaker fitting - lots of room in the boiler.
I know its not as heavily detailed as some brass was, or is today, but man am I excited to have this one. The can motor inside was a big surprise and if all I have to do is swap the u-joint then I am all about it! I'm hoping to add a little UP 0-6-0 next.
I know you guys have some brass too. Please share photos if you do!
-Mike
The Backshops - A blog dedicated to modeling projects
I think I am getting close to owning a dozen brass locomotives, and four Oriental Powerhouse hybrids.
I do not own any from Westside models, but I do want a Brute.
Hopefully the universal joint will fix all of your running issues. I have heard poor reports of the NWSL gearboxes. Supposedly Precision Scale is better, but I have no experience with any of them.
It is pretty. Congratulations on the exciting addition to your fleet.
USRA 0-8-0, USRA Light 4-6-2, 2 of USRA Heavy 2-8-2, USRA light 4-8-2
Another USRA 0-8-0
USRA Heavy 4-8-2
Alco RSD-12
-Kevin
Living the dream.
micktropolis A Westside/KTM TTT-6 2-10-2 came up on the 'bay with a $250 buy it now price, I offered $200. I told myself that if the seller could at least cover the cost of shipping with a small discount I'd probably bite. They came back with $225 and sure enough, 3 days later its at my door step.
Hi Mike,
That is a nice locomotive. I'm glad that you got it for a price that you are happy with.
Cheers!!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Your first brass experience was better than mine. It's not worth posting pictures of. A westside 44 tonner, the dark paint and dark photos hid the remotoring hack-job. I got a substantial partial refund, and can fix the mess.
I think that's a fine looking engine. Not being familiar with the prototype I wouldn't know where it's lacking detail wise, but I do know UP had some larger steamers that didn't opt for many of the appliances that cluttered up the engine, leaving a pleasing clean appearance, as your model posesses. Dan
Best brass I own is a pair of Virginian EL3A side rod electrics from Oriental. Exquisite detail and fine runners. Could hardly afford two when they came out. 3 would have probably cost me my marriage. Now I just found out only 80 were made and they are in high demand and commanding a huge premium in price. Nice to get lucky now and then.
SeeYou190 I think I am getting close to owning a dozen brass locomotives, and four Oriental Powerhouse hybrids. I do not own any from Westside models, but I do want a Brute. Hopefully the universal joint will fix all of your running issues. I have heard poor reports of the NWSL gearboxes. Supposedly Precision Scale is better, but I have no experience with any of them. It is pretty. Congratulations on the exciting addition to your fleet. USRA 0-8-0, USRA Light 4-6-2, 2 of USRA Heavy 2-8-2, USRA light 4-8-2 Another USRA 0-8-0 USRA Heavy 4-8-2 Alco RSD-12 -Kevin
Those are some beautiful examples Kevin, thank you for sharing! So far the NWSL gearbox has been okay, no issues yet but it is from an earlier run of gearboxes from them. The newer ones are ball bearing equipped so I'm looking at replacing it with one of those, but precision scale has come up too. I'm not going to mess with it until I get the drive train coupling sorted out yet. Do you prefer to keep them unpainted or do they all eventually get paint?
hon30critter Hi Mike, That is a nice locomotive. I'm glad that you got it for a price that you are happy with. Cheers!! Dave
Thank you Dave! I always expected to pay several hundred more for brass especially when I was younger. It isn't something I have a great interest in persuing, I'd much rather deal in plastic if possible if I'm honest. Still it won't be the last, not unless someone decides to do a UP 0-6-0 in plastic - the next one in brass I'll be persuing.
Southgate 2 Your first brass experience was better than mine. It's not worth posting pictures of. A westside 44 tonner, the dark paint and dark photos hid the remotoring hack-job. I got a substantial partial refund, and can fix the mess. I think that's a fine looking engine. Not being familiar with the prototype I wouldn't know where it's lacking detail wise, but I do know UP had some larger steamers that didn't opt for many of the appliances that cluttered up the engine, leaving a pleasing clean appearance, as your model posesses. Dan
Glad you were able to get a chunk of money back on your 44 tonner, that's a real shame about the condition but if you can fix it and the final price is right, that's where the fun it IMO. Not if you're expecting something much nicer, of course!
I was expecting something with incredibly thick paint, drivers worn through to brass, cracked rubber u-joint and a rocket 3-pole motor suited for slot cars - it wasn't as if the seller's photos could tell me a whole lot! The only issue is really the u-joint, I consider myself lucky in that regard.
Comparing it to a Key Imports or Broadway 2-10-2 of the same class, this one is missing a lot of detail, wiring around the smokebox especially, but it isn't bad. I'd compare it to a modern plastic model minus any molded-on pipes. I'll likely add on some detail but won't go crazy with it.
ndbprr Best brass I own is a pair of Virginian EL3A side rod electrics from Oriental. Exquisite detail and fine runners. Could hardly afford two when they came out. 3 would have probably cost me my marriage. Now I just found out only 80 were made and they are in high demand and commanding a huge premium in price. Nice to get lucky now and then.
Just google searching EL3A gives me the impression that they would indeed be a limited item - those are seriously cool and the brass examples look incredible!
micktropolisDo you prefer to keep them unpainted or do they all eventually get paint?
They are all destined for paint, custom decals, and weathering.
Up until late 2016 I had a 10 by 12 layout in my spare bedroom. I only had a half-dozen locomotives, one was the brass Tenshodo 0-8-0, and another was an Oriental Powerhouse 2-8-2.
When I took down the spare bedroom layout I had a plan to remodel the house to give me a new train room 11 by 22. I came up with a plan, and I knew I wanted a fleet of USRA brass steam locomotives.
So, other than the Tenshodo 0-8-0, all my brass locomotives have been acquired recently, and when I do not have a layout. Painting these has not been top priority.
Hopefully (fingers crossed) I will have the train room soon, and then I will want to get the fleet painted and ready for service.
micktropolisComparing it to a Key Imports or Broadway 2-10-2 of the same class, this one is missing a lot of detail, wiring around the smokebox especially, but it isn't bad.
I actually prefer less detail on my locomotives. My Key USRA light 4-8-2 has more detail than my Sunset USRA heavy 4-8-2. However, it looks more fragile.
Locomotives require maintenance and repair. I don't like breakable fiddly bits causing problems. That is why I really do not care for the modern plastic steam locomotives... too much stuff to break.