Brass Locomotives

[Meyblc]

Today I was checking out Ebay and a brass locomotive caught my eye. I have never heard of Pacific Fast Mail. Can anyone give me some backround on this company? I did a search on Google but could not locate the company anywhere. Who are they? Do they make quality engines? Can they be converted to DCC? I'm looking at a brand new (in thye box) Mogul 2-6-0 in HO scale. What would be a resonable asking price? It's hard to place a realistic bid not knowing what it is worth.

Michael

[cjcrescent]

PFM was a company started by Bill Ryan of Seattle back in the late 1950's early 1960's. They were a brass importer and not a manufacturer. I think they started with just SP engines. PFM for years were one of the premier names in the brass business. Originally their models were made in Japan by United, Tenshodo, and a few others whose names slips my mind right now. (Out of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most).There were some quality issues with early Tenshodo locos, F-units in particular but overall these were rugged, dependable, well built and well detailed machines and were and still are a joy to own. Later on some of their locos were imported from Korea. They also offered books on the prototype that are very good. PFM also imported one of the first steam sound systems for use on the layout. Many of their tenders came predrilled for speakers. The bell was weak but the chuff and whistle were very good IMHO. This was supposedly improved on the later Sound System II's. Overall the locos from PFM were definitely high quality stuff.

[Don Gibson]

ALL PFM imported locomotive's had Open frame motor's, except the last run's. Those engines go for high buck'$.

There were a few misses: Tenshodo diesels and 60' passenger brass cars.Tenshodo Artic's go for BIG money. If one remotor's (and regears) PFM, they'll probably run forever.

Nickle plating wear on the brass tires reduces price, but doesn't affect running ability.

PFM'S 'United' brand was shipped by Atlas Tading Co. Some items entered the US under the 'Atlas Trading Co' name. Same product.

Japanese brass used heavier gage metal than Korean - therefor being heavier, pulls more. Most PFM Steam needs 28"r or more to run right. Forget #4 turnout's. My Tenshodo Hudson derailed on a mainline #4 and hit the cement floor. Bent, but not broken. I, however was crushed. It was my first layout.

[dknelson]

Pacific Fast Mail also sold slide sets of John Allen's layout in the early days. And they may have been the first with a real working Shay.
Some of their "Crown" imports have sold for astounding prices in recent years, I mean things like $20,000.
Also the PFM catalogs had beautiful photography and some of those now sell for fancy prices.
They also sold Japanese made switch machines didn't they?
Carey mentions that they started with SP engines. They also had NP and WP and other western roads, at a time when most makers and importers were still focusing on eastern roads. Their Santa Fe 2-8-0 was a classic that they had in the catalog for years. Back in those days most brass was not painted, but PFM had a few painted items from time to time.
I never bought PFM - the prices were too high for me. Why I bet that 2-8-0 sold for all of $50 and who in their right mind would pay $50 for an HO scale model steam locomotive? (Am I showing my age?)
Dave Nelson

[oleirish]

I used to day dream of haveing an PFM pacific 4-6-2,W/SOUND[:P][:P] I'am showing my age also.

JIM

[MidlandPacific]

A lot of PFM brass, particularly the smaller locomotives like the famous Santa Fe 2-8-0, the Ma & Pa 2-8-0, and the Sierra 2-6-6-2, was about as close to mass-produced as brass ever got, with relatively fewer details and open-frame motors, but they're often very good runners. I've had good experiences with the latter two.

Best source for info on your model is probably John Glaab's "Brown Book," although the prices are a bit outdated. Models vary widely, depending on condition and designation: if it's a "Crown" (they tended to be larger engines, but I think the old GN G-1 class 4-8-0 was a Crown - Uncle Dave's Brass lists it as one), it could be worth well over a thousand dollars. If you think it might be, I'd check Uncle Dave's Brass website for details - he's something of a niche expert on PFM brass.