Wolf359 Some more food for thought, if you're unsure of the value of a brass model, Brasstrains.com has a brass guide on their site where you can look at the value of something you want or have. All you need to do is create an account with them, and log in and select the criteria for the model to see it's value.
Some more food for thought, if you're unsure of the value of a brass model, Brasstrains.com has a brass guide on their site where you can look at the value of something you want or have. All you need to do is create an account with them, and log in and select the criteria for the model to see it's value.
Just bear in mind that the values they list are in the ballpark of their (BrassTrains') retail prices. Good luck to you if you try to fetch this price as seller (e.g. on eBay).
Larry--
I just contacted BLI yesterday. They say they have enough pre-orders already to now go ahead and make the BLI ATSF 4000 series diecast 2-8-2, and have begun production. They will re-advertise it soon, and I plan to order two or three of them myself. It might arrive in early 2021, subject to any Covid-related supply chain issues. The model is in the works.
For Santa Fe steam fans, that would be one alternative. Also, while some were gone by 1953, many 4000 class 2-8-2's were still remaining in service. It appears that five of the road numbers announced by BLI were still running in 1953. 4100 was gone and 4099 was HFD (held for disposition, out of service). 4018 worked into 1951.
According to BrassTrains, the Hallmark ATSF 4-6-0 was made during 1985 by DongJin. It looks nice but would be considered to be questionnable as a runner, based on the 1985 build date.
I have been critical of BLI in the past, but the simple fact is that you can turn off sound if you don't like it, and they run, generally quite well, and they really do look good, nearly as good as brass "super crowns". I'm buying ATSF steam models from BLI when/as able to.
John
PRR8259Early Hallmark Models, especially those made by DongJin, have many QA/QC issues. There are misaligned parts, and running quality sucks. Dongin used a cheapo spring system rarely used by anyone else. Instead of a real spring, there is a bronze wire running across several drivers. Most serious brass collectors hate DongJin models.
John, A great big thank you for that great information.. To bad about the QA/QC issues she's a sweet looking locomotive.
I will pass on the 4-6-0 and the Sunset 2-8-2.
I'll see what PFM/United has to offer and there's Balboa..
All the brass steam engines I own back in the 60s was either PFM or United.
I shuned Hallmark diesels back then. I bought mostly Trains Inc and Alco Models which was also screamers.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
Brakie--
NO I would not make the trade, and definitely not even consider it without a thorough test run on a real layout that actually has curves!!
Early Hallmark Models, especially those made by DongJin, have many QA/QC issues. There are misaligned parts, and running quality sucks. DonJin used a cheapo spring system rarely used by anyone else. Instead of a real spring, there is a bronze wire running across all drivers. Most serious brass collectors I've talked to dislike DongJin models for this reason.
You know I've been dabbling in brass, and I too am very interested in Santa Fe steam in 1953. However, most brass Santa Fe steam is of poor quality unless you are willing to spend serious money. Much of the Sunset steam made for Santa Fe is early Samhongsa and has a reputation for not running very well.
The older PFM models run noisily, but are solidly built. They will need a can motor as a minimum and still may have noisy gears unless the gearboxes are replaced. However, they will run. Models 1981 and later by United, for PFM, that are Santa Fe, are pretty nice indeed.
The late Samhongsa stuff from the Key Classic Series factory painted models are ok. This includes 2-8-2's and 3800 class 2-10-2's. They are also not cheap.
The late Samhongsa Hallmark Super Crown Series steam models are ok, as well as many of the models made since by Boo Rim for Union Terminal Imports
Also some people have told me that I'll ruin these models if I handle them without gloves and if I (gasp) actually use them on the layout.
Fact I just learned: The new product review on Youtube of the BLI Modernized ATSF 2-10-2 from 2014 stated it would pull 100 cars on level track. Reviewer ran out of cars over 90+.
Respectfully submitted--
John Mock
You didn't say whether the diesels had dcc and sound, if they do not, trade now.
I wouldn't hesitate to make both trades.
If there turn out to be any runnability or detail problems you have a rich set of resources here to help you address them.
I don;t think I've ever seen a Hallmark brass steam loco in person close up, but they always looked nicely appointed in photos. Their diesels though - looking at old magazines with the ads and even reviews, they had some really crude truck sideframes that made even train-set Life Like look like fine scale modeling by comparison, not sure what they were thinkign when they made that.
Already nicely painted, that's probably a good trade - I'm thinking what I've paid for similar diesels and unless you have a ton invested in superdetailing them, this is a steal (for you).
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Guys, I have a opportunity to trade my P2K Ohio Central GP7 for a Sunset Santa Fe 2-8-2 and he also has a Hallmark Santa Fe 4-6-0 up for grabs. Both are beautifully custom painted and has a Campbell Models engineer and fireman..
The other trade is my two Atlas HH GP38s for that Hallmark 4-6-0.
While that 4-6-0 is a beautiful engine I know nothing about Hallmark steam locomotives. I know their diesels from the mid 60s was screamers.
I'm seriously thinking about modeling steam in 1953.
Why Santa Fe?
I always like the looks of Santa Fe's steam engines and I alrady have a 1950 Class 2-8-0.