CMT has TWO runs of reserved Brass B&M Pacific locomotives SOLD OUT, and that even includes some over production units also sold out. If the world economy is "tanking", someone sure still has $$$, these untits are in the $1500 range !!!
I don't think they're 'dead' per se. I know I have a Z-6 4-6-6-4 on order from Sunset (VERY patiently waiting, LOL!) . And if I get in the mood for a 'consignment' locomotive from, say, Caboose Hobbies in Denver, I know that I'd usually better make up my mind QUICK, because if I noodle around, the chances are it won't be there when I finally make my decision.
I've lost out on several good lokies by shrugging and saying, "Oh, they'll be there next week." Not necessarily so.
Granted, new brass is pricey, and perhaps still in the 'collector's niche, however the new several new brass lokies I've purchased over the past few years (and I operate my brass, don't put them on the shelf in glass cases) runs just as beautifully out of the box as almost anything else currently on the market. In fact, I was almost a little disappointed that my PSC Rio Grande F-81 2-10-2 didn't need any 'tweaking' at all when I bought it. I just set it on the track, hooked up a train behind it and watched it purr. Neat!
As far as brass vs. plastic--my thoughts have always been 'to each his own' on that subject. As I've said before, my roster is 98% running brass simply because of the railroads that I model.
Tom
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!
twhite I don't think they're 'dead' per se. I know I have a Z-6 4-6-6-4 on order from Sunset (VERY patiently waiting, LOL!) . And if I get in the mood for a 'consignment' locomotive from, say, Caboose Hobbies in Denver, I know that I'd usually better make up my mind QUICK, because if I noodle around, the chances are it won't be there when I finally make my decision. I've lost out on several good lokies by shrugging and saying, "Oh, they'll be there next week." Not necessarily so.
Brass sales overall are slower than most recent past years that I can remember, but many bargains are showing up at the major brass shops. The older KTM are always welcome to my stable and they are bargain priced compared to the new brass that is coming out. They do not compare in detail or quality to the Divsion Point and Overland, but they are worth the money since their gear boxes and drives are strong. I have several of the Boo Rim brass products and I prefer those over the previous Samhongsa and now Sam Tech build models for detail and super quality. The only problem is, they are setting new price levels each time some new product is imported. With those price levels, the quantity of the new imported model is very low and that tends to keep the price higher.
I am concerned about schedule for the Sunset Z6 and emailed them about two weeks ago. They have not answered the email so no new information on that model. They normally email back if they want to talk about a model and no news might not be good news for the Z6, at least in the near future. I have the Z8's but would like to pick up one of the SP&S Z6's.
CZ
I recently got two brass NKP cabooses, on E-Bay, a bay window, and a 40' converted box car to caboose(war emergency caboose), at relatively decent prices. Seems like a lot of brass on e-bay recently at good prices. R. Staller
I don't know if the brass sales are dead is proper, maybe it should be "who cares if there is a recession, I've got the bucks" I read on a couple of sites the brass sellers were selling hundreds of expensive locos, these seem to be coming from estate sales, so a lot of mint older brass will be hitting the market soon and seeing daylight for the first time, what a shame.
Well, we are at the point that many of the older collectors are passing on to the next life and thier collections are going on the market now. As we should be doing, those that can afford to buy brass or whatever, should do so and help keep the economy moving. I just got a nice older Tenshodo S-1 4-8-4 factory painted for a great price on ebay. I hope to locate somone I trust that can strip and repaint it into the Glacier Park colors like the late run Tenshodo engines came painted in. With all the good bargains in older brass, many new collectors/operators are getting their first brass models or able to add to thier stable of engines. I am one of those thats at the level of affording older brass, but nowhere near able to afford newer brass. Although I would love a Division Point Krauss Maffei in DRGW colors! Cheers Mike
LHS mechanic and geniune train and antique garden tractor nut case!
Mike:
Not to derail the topic, but those Tenshodo S1's were just about one of the smoothest operating brass lokies right out of the box I've ever seen. I've got one that's at least 30 years old, with the original open-frame motor, and you can hardly hear it when you pump up the throttle. Beautiful, smooth, quiet loco, and it will pull the plaster off of the walls. Only 'tinkering' I've had to do with it is to clean and re-lube the gearbox every 5 years or so, LOL!
twhiteAs far as brass vs. plastic--my thoughts have always been 'to each his own' on that subject. As I've said before, my roster is 98% running brass simply because of the railroads that I model.
I don't own any brass. So tell me, do they run better than the plastics? I operate DCC.
twhite. I know I have a Z-6 4-6-6-4 on order from Sunset (VERY patiently waiting, LOL!) .
Ahhhhh...I could stare at that loco for hours! Please share pics once it's in your hands. Thanks
San Dimas Southern slideshow
Driline twhiteAs far as brass vs. plastic--my thoughts have always been 'to each his own' on that subject. As I've said before, my roster is 98% running brass simply because of the railroads that I model. I don't own any brass. So tell me, do they run better than the plastics? I operate DCC.
I have four brass locomotives and eight new "plastic/die-cast" i.e. MTH, BLI P2, Proto, etc. The brass are Keys, Balboa, Sunset. The brass all have their own individual personality whereas the late model ones are all consistent regardless. With that being said the late models run better...but they're not brass. It's a brass thing. I'm a half step away from buying a Sunset M-6 that has sound and DCC so I think that would be a better comparison. You have to understand that a lot of the brass out the has been around for 30-40 years when technology wasn't what it is today. I'm definitely not a brass pro, more like a brass rookie. And I'm a runner like Tom, not a closet collecor. Hope that helps! MM
Drilline:
It's difficult to say. Most older brass requires 'tinkering', something most of us brass runners are used to. Newer brass, at least the ones I've acquired, run extremely well right 'out of the box'. Because I model Rio Grande steam, there are very few plastic steamers specific to that railroad--actually only one, and that's the Genesis 3800 4-6-6-4, a UP 'clone' delivered to the Rio Grande by the War Board, and sold by the Rio Grande as quickly as possible. I have it in plastic, and it's a good runner, but I run it seldom because it's 'dual mode' (I'm DC) and not compatible with my other locos for multiple running.
As to brass and DCC, I've heard various stories about converting brass to DCC, because of the classic 'left-hand, right-hand' pickups on brass locos and tenders. Some say it doesn't work very well, others say that it works very well. I've heard everything from satisfied modelers to modelers with nothing but horror stories.
But of necessity to be prototypical to the locomotives of the railroad I model, it's pretty much 98% brass. My locos run very well on DC for me, but it's because of 'working' most of them. Brass steam is a lot like prototype steam, it occasionally has to go into the 'shop' to keep it running right.
I'd say that if the particular railroad you're modeling is well represented in plastic and already programmed for DCC, then you're well off and ahead of the game. A great many modelers don't NEED a brass loco, unless you're looking for a specific prototype that is just not available in current plastic.
grayfox1119 CMT has TWO runs of reserved Brass B&M Pacific locomotives SOLD OUT, and that even includes some over production units also sold out. If the world economy is "tanking", someone sure still has $$$, these untits are in the $1500 range !!!
Getting back to these statements made by the original poster, consider the following.
Do we know just how large those two runs of B&M Pacific locomotives were? They could have been relatively small, explaining their quick sell-out. It's not unusual today for each run to numbered 100 units or less, as well as 25 or fewer locomotives of a specific class within somewhat larger runs.
And, as I've pointed out previously, most brass collectors are not actually part of the model railroading community. As such, we rarely hear of their views or of their particular economic circumstances. In my experience most of these guys are usually quite well off and hardly among those who were hurt significantly in the most recent economic downturn. To many of them, the price of the latest brass loco can be regarded as pocket change.
CNJ831
From one Mike to another, you got that right, some great bargains to be had out there right now, espicaly on ebay at the current time. My new to me S-1 should be here early next week. From the pics, the factory paint is showing its age, I hope to get someone to strip and repaint the locomotive and tender into the Glacier Park paint scheme over the winter. Anybody have any trusted painters that can really do this engine up nice. Much like a late run Tenshodo with the detailed black piping with the silver firebox behind ect.
Thanks greyfox, I emailed him for an estimate to strip and repaint mine to look like the late run Tenshodo S-1's in the Glacier Park colors. See how expensive its gonna be. Now I just need to find a second Tenshodo SD9 in GN colors at a fair price. Thanks again Mike