Ray Breyer
Modeling the NKP's Peoria Division, circa 1943
QUOTE: Originally posted by orsonroy The modern plastic steamers have killed a lot of the old brass market. Keep in mind also that the pool of modelers who knows how to work on old steam models is shrinking rapidly. To get most old brass to run as well as modern plastic requires a LOT of work, and why bother when you can get plastic for the codst of the motor and gearbox?
Adam Thompson Model Railroading is fun!
QUOTE: Originally posted by CNJ831 QUOTE: Originally posted by orsonroy The modern plastic steamers have killed a lot of the old brass market. Keep in mind also that the pool of modelers who knows how to work on old steam models is shrinking rapidly. To get most old brass to run as well as modern plastic requires a LOT of work, and why bother when you can get plastic for the codst of the motor and gearbox? I tend to take rather the opposite view on orsonroy's first statement. It is the astronomical pricing in the brass market that essentially brought it to an end, and along with it the re-sale value of older models. There simply are very, very few active brass collectors left relative to 10, 15, or 20 years ago. Those few that are still around are only interested in the latest editions, so older stuff goes wanting. On the otherhand, orsonroy's second comment is spot-on. There are oh so very few hobbyists remaining that can tear down a brass engine, tinker its mechanism into perfect shape, give it an excellent paint job, and returning it perfect to layout service. Today's hobbyist would rather buy it finished, RTR, and expecting it to operate like a Swiss watch right out of the box. To such, the ideal of purchasing an older brass locomotive, with all its potential warts, is out of the question. But I will say, it having been my personal experience, that I've yet to see a plastic steamer that begins to approach my better brass examples in the level of actual detail. CNJ831
QUOTE: Originally posted by CNJ831 On the otherhand, orsonroy's second comment is spot-on. There are oh so very few hobbyists remaining that can tear down a brass engine, tinker its mechanism into perfect shape, give it an excellent paint job, and returning it perfect to layout service. CNJ831
QUOTE: Originally posted by Mark300 I think what our thread starter James is seeing on ebay, is a market shift in the value relative to the desirability and availability of some neat old brass models desperate for upgrading to DCC, sound and so forth. Add that stuff to the purchase price and try reselling the item AND then see how the value changes. It bears constant watching.