BATMAN There was an Estate auction I found online that had a couple of hundred brass locos on the block. I put really low bids on dozens of them and ended up with this for $30.00. The Great Northern locos went the cheapest for some reason. This one has volunteered to be the first brass loco I attempt to paint. If I ever get around to it.
There was an Estate auction I found online that had a couple of hundred brass locos on the block. I put really low bids on dozens of them and ended up with this for $30.00. The Great Northern locos went the cheapest for some reason. This one has volunteered to be the first brass loco I attempt to paint. If I ever get around to it.
That there's the classic PFM GN H-5 Pacific.
There are 166 RUNS of brass GN steam locomotives in The Brown Book, some small, some not. I count at least 28,000 of them produced. In at least 32 classes.
And that is not including more recent and superior models by W&R and North Bank Line.
Supply is, we might say, nearly unlimited. Demand?
I am astounded that it went for $30. Good catch!
Ed
JDawg It'll be a great day when they are offered in plastic. I wonder how many I'll get..... Ed Id buy one of every road number if they made them in GN, if they evey make them that is....
It'll be a great day when they are offered in plastic. I wonder how many I'll get.....
Id buy one of every road number if they made them in GN, if they evey make them that is....
I'll remind you that the NW5's were painted in three different GN schemes--make that at least 4 with lettering variations. Plus there's the with-steam-generator version and the without. And you really should think about getting some in BN paint.
Yikes, a whole wall full!
Back when Pacific Fast Mail was the dominating importer of brass locomotives, Great Northern featured rather prominently because it was a personal favorite of Bill Ryan who was PFM's owner (Ryan was a Cadillac dealer and had the means to make himself the big player in the brass marketplace). I think the fact that such a wide representation of GN's steam roster was offered by PFM had much to do with establishing Great Northern as one of the more popular prototypes for modelers as well as collectors (and railfans).
Dave Nelson
7j43k BATMAN There was an Estate auction I found online that had a couple of hundred brass locos on the block. I put really low bids on dozens of them and ended up with this for $30.00. The Great Northern locos went the cheapest for some reason. This one has volunteered to be the first brass loco I attempt to paint. If I ever get around to it. That there's the classic PFM GN H-5 Pacific. There are 166 RUNS of brass GN steam locomotives in The Brown Book, some small, some not. I count at least 28,000 of them produced. In at least 32 classes. And that is not including more recent and superior models by W&R and North Bank Line. Supply is, we might say, nearly unlimited. Demand? I am astounded that it went for $30. Good catch! Ed
Yet somehow, I read somewhere that their most produced engine was their ATSF class 1950 2-8-0...
Charles
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Modeling the PRR & NYC in HO
Youtube Channel: www.youtube.com/@trainman440
Instagram (where I share projects!): https://www.instagram.com/trainman440
Trainman440 Yet somehow, I read somewhere that their most produced engine was their ATSF class 1950 2-8-0... Charles
Perhaps Santa Fe is more popular than GN.
7j43k JDawg It'll be a great day when they are offered in plastic. I wonder how many I'll get..... Ed Id buy one of every road number if they made them in GN, if they evey make them that is.... I'll remind you that the NW5's were painted in three different GN schemes--make that at least 4 with lettering variations. Plus there's the with-steam-generator version and the without. And you really should think about getting some in BN paint. Yikes, a whole wall full! Ed
Right on. I'm still buying every one in GN colors though!
JJF
Prototypically modeling the Great Northern in Minnesota with just a hint of freelancing.
Yesterday is History.
Tomorrow is a Mystery.
But today is a Gift, that is why it is called the Present.
Good evening
Here's an over-under comparison of my painted brass H4 compared to your unpainted H5 Brent. Doesn't look like they added too many more bells and whistles to your updated model. Looks like yours might be a little shorter and may have an oil tender instead of coal?
Doesn't look like breaking the seams between colors would be too difficult. Now you have a nice paint diagram in case you decide to get to gettin with your airbrush
TF
The GN H-4 and H-5 classes were very similar. The main visual difference is in the trailing truck and the placement of the domes. Baldwin built the H-4's in 1909; GN built the H-5's from 1921 to 1924--quite a time difference.
Boiler diameter was the same. Driver diameter was the same. Weight on drivers the same. Bore and stroke the same. Boiler pressure the same. The H-4 had more grate area, though.
Although very similar, I always found the H-4 "racier" looking.
The PFM model shown came with the tender set up for coal. There was also an included oil bunker. There is a crossover piece that arches over the coal pile that you have to cut and remove to insert the oil bunker. Brent's engine has had the piece cut off, and is now properly oil burning.
The engine doesn't come with an ashpan, and you should add one if you're doing it as a coal version.
I have one, also. I added an Elesco exhaust injector on the right side. It's been taken apart for painting about 40 years, now. I was going to do it in the late version black, as I'm not a fan of the GN green scheme. It is, of course, easier to paint.
Trainman440 JDawg Am I crazy? Yes, I think you are
JDawg Am I crazy?
Am I crazy?
Yes, I think you are
7j43k Although very similar, I always found the H-4 "racier" looking.
Perfect! Someone's speaking my kind of language here
I think I'm going to T-pin quarter inch foam around one of my curves as a cushion for a protective measure. Then fire up my H-4 and see how fast she'll go around her first radius............Kidding Of Course!
Thanks for the information Ed. There's quite a few things I know but I find the things that I don't much more interesting.
7j43kYet somehow, I read somewhere that their most produced engine was their ATSF class 1950 2-8-0...
It's an attractive model in a useful size - everybody (except those modeling the CNJ and N&W, which favored Mastodons) could use a Consolidation on their layout for way freights, mine runs, mixed trains, switching (prostrate yourself in the direction of Enola while chanting "I am not worthy"), even symbol freights (the Cotton Belt's original Blue Streak Fast Freight was pulled by a 2-8-0), and it was imported by at least three (!) firms, so I can believe your claim.
https://brasstrains.com/classic/Product/Detail/039023/HO-Brass-PFM-United-ATSF-Santa-Fe-2-8-0-1950-Custom
and
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/ho-brass-santa-fe-1950-class-8-sunset-537090874
https://brasstrains.com/Classic/Product/Detail/066955/HO-Scale-Brass-Model-Steam-Locomotive-Sunset-Models-ATSF-Santa-Fe-1950-Class-1953-2-8-0-Custom
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/ho-scale-brass-pfm-united-santa-fe-1840259549
The prototype (yep, it's #1950 herself) in 1930
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3891252
Hey, yer not modeling ATSF - well Uncle John wasn't adverse to leasing equipment - even to the mighty PRR....or if you're modeling a shortline, say you bought them second hand and paint them for your road (26 mile Bellefonte Central had three ex-PRR H9s 2-8-0's after WW2, for example)
As far as the GN goes, its Omaha Orange and Pullman Green paint scheme was a classic (Boo to Big Sky Blue!) and it's "Rocky" herald (early and late versions) was equally classic. So it was attractive and everyone could justify a GN boxcar (loaded with lumber for the local lumber yard or team track (contractor's truck)) on their pike. Perhaps that might account for GN's popularity
There is no BN or BNSF, I like to think it's the Greater Northern !
aspx?id=3891252
BEAUSABRE 7j43k Yet somehow, I read somewhere that their most produced engine was their ATSF class 1950 2-8-0... It's an attractive model in a useful size...
7j43k Yet somehow, I read somewhere that their most produced engine was their ATSF class 1950 2-8-0...
It's an attractive model in a useful size...
It really is. Although it's clearly a Santa Fe loco, it is very much a Real Working Engine. It's a beauty.
- everybody (except those modeling the CNJ and N&W, which favored Mastodons)
I MUST add that GN also had 4-8-0's.
could use a Consolidation on their layout for way freights, mine runs, mixed trains, switching (prostrate yourself in the direction of Enola while chanting "I am not worthy"), even symbol freights (the Cotton Belt's original Blue Streak Fast Freight was pulled by a 2-8-0), and it was imported by at least three (!) firms, so I can believe your claim. https://brasstrains.com/classic/Product/Detail/039023/HO-Brass-PFM-United-ATSF-Santa-Fe-2-8-0-1950-Custom and https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/ho-brass-santa-fe-1950-class-8-sunset-537090874 and https://brasstrains.com/Classic/Product/Detail/066955/HO-Scale-Brass-Model-Steam-Locomotive-Sunset-Models-ATSF-Santa-Fe-1950-Class-1953-2-8-0-Custom and https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/ho-scale-brass-pfm-united-santa-fe-1840259549 The prototype (yep, it's #1950 herself) in 1930 http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3891252 Hey, yer not modeling ATSF - well Uncle John wasn't adverse to leasing equipment - even to the mighty PRR....or if you're modeling a shortline, say you bought them second hand and paint them for your road (26 mile Bellefonte Central had three ex-PRR H9s 2-8-0's after WW2, for example) As far as the GN goes, its Omaha Orange and Forest Green paint scheme was a classic (Boo to Big Sky Blue!) and it's "Rocky" herald (early and late versions) was equally classic. So it was attractive and everyone could justify a GN boxcar on their pike. Perhaps that might account for GN's popularity There is no BN or BNSF, I like to think it's the Greater Northern !
could use a Consolidation on their layout for way freights, mine runs, mixed trains, switching (prostrate yourself in the direction of Enola while chanting "I am not worthy"), even symbol freights (the Cotton Belt's original Blue Streak Fast Freight was pulled by a 2-8-0), and it was imported by at least three (!) firms, so I can believe your claim.
As far as the GN goes, its Omaha Orange and Forest Green paint scheme was a classic (Boo to Big Sky Blue!) and it's "Rocky" herald (early and late versions) was equally classic. So it was attractive and everyone could justify a GN boxcar on their pike. Perhaps that might account for GN's popularity
FOREST GREEN???
Bad! Very bad! PULLMAN green! Go to your room and think about this!
PS: Or not.
7j43kPULLMAN green
Makes sense....honoring Pullman, Idaho, of course
richhotrainHey, Waynucci, you dun good, but I was really hoping for a photo in front of that little multi-roof beauty. How 'bout it? Capice?
S'okay, I'ma gonna fix itup rightaway wid a cupla fresha foe-toes
...
anna justa fer yoo, I'ma calla my frent, Barney Secord...heezagunna do an aerial pitcher espressamente fur yoo...
...anna-nudder wun...
Sokay?
JDawg Sorry about saying the UP wasn't popular everyone. I guess it just seems that everywhere I look, they are UP models.
I have spoken to several hobby shop owners in Florida. They all stock lots of UNION PACIFIC models. The reason is that tourists from Europe all want UP models. They all have stories about European tourists coming into the shop and buying everything for the UP they have in stock.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
I recently sold a large quantity of locos and rolling stock on Ebay. Most of them were Santa Fe (pre 1960) but there were a few Illinois Central. In years past, the ATSF always got top dollar, and the IC not so much.
This time, it has been turned around. The IC passenger cars (Walthers lightweights) all sold for 3 x the cost, about $80-$100 each. And the diesels went for a shade less than I paid for them. The Spectrum steamer went for a good price too, and made some fellow in Ankorage Alaska very happy.
The Santa Fe's all sold, most for more than the opening price, but not like they sold in years gone by.
I think the big factor is simply supply and demand.........
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
doctorwayne
Ricardo
Alton Junction
7j43kThe models in this run are correct for SP, UP and D&RGW (if Intermountain got the D&RGW numbers correct). They are not correct for the others. This fact certainly tempers my interest in purchase.
I'm checking but I recall the Red Caboose/IMRC model is a bit short compared to the D&RGW gons.
Anyway, YMMV, but the topic was about a road name selling faster than other, and that seems to exclude how accurate the models are. As we well know, there are many here that don't require models actually match a prototype, or be a close stand-in. I've notice a lot of D&RGW models sell and I am aware there are a lot of foobies out there. All of the plastic caboose in HO are foobies unless Athearn Genesis finally offers a D&RGW caboose, why reportedly they eventually will.
Perhaps increased sales of the SP version would be the existence of sugar beet trains on that railroad. Also entering into the sales level is how many of each Intermountain did and how many Klein ordered.
I saw them when they were first listed. All the IMRC GS gondola road name had the same quantities - 6 of each road number - I checked. I ordered 12 SP and 6 D&RGW while there was 6 of all road names and road numbers.
If one of them misjudged the interest in Rio Grande and ordered low, then that road would sell out quickly, even if it was only produced at 10% of the level of SP. If they went high on SP&S because it's so popular, only to have more people declining to buy a foobie, then there'd be stock on the shelf. Ed
It's a bit odd, but I've been following MBK closely for a good 10 years and don't seem to order increased numbers of popular road names like D&RGW and SP, even though it's obvious they are popular and sell fast. MBK could have easily ordered 3 x as many SP and D&RGW and still sold them all.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
Track fiddler BATMAN There was an Estate auction I found online that had a couple of hundred brass locos on the block. I put really low bids on dozens of them and ended up with this for $30.00. The Great Northern locos went the cheapest for some reason. This one has volunteered to be the first brass loco I attempt to paint. If I ever get around to it. Good evening Here's an over-under comparison of my painted brass H4 compared to your unpainted H5 Brent. Doesn't look like they added too many more bells and whistles to your updated model. Looks like yours might be a little shorter and may have an oil tender instead of coal? Doesn't look like breaking the seams between colors would be too difficult. Now you have a nice paint diagram in case you decide to get to gettin with your airbrush TF
TF, GN poked its nose into Canada, and evidence of that can still be found in the Vancouver area. In fact, there is a road called Great Northern Way. A few GN steam locos will fit right in on my CPR-based layout.
https://www.canada-rail.com/bc/railways/GN.html
I really like the paint scheme and intend to get forum members to nursemaid me through the painting and electrical renovation of this H5.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
riogrande5761 I'm checking but I recall the Red Caboose/IMRC model is a bit short compared to the D&RGW gons.
Ah, yes. On this prompting, I found that the Rio Grande cars are 21" longer and 9" wider, on the inside.
I had thought they were the same.
Since SP&S bought some of those Rio Grande cars, this is also of import to me.
The D&RGW Intermountain GS gons are basically close stand-in's. Here are comments by Jim Eager which apply as well to the RC/IMRC model:
regarding the Red Caboose/InterMountain GS gons. The model is similar to the old Details Associates kit, but a lot simpler. The all-steel version is based on a UP 50t 40ft car and comes with a different L-corner end than the DA model. Also, the end sill does not project beyond the end sheet. Otherwise what I wrote about the DA kit would apply to the RC model as well.
The model is similar to the old Details Associates kit, but a lot simpler. The all-steel version is based on a UP 50t 40ft car and comes with a different L-corner end than the DA model. Also, the end sill does not project beyond the end sheet. Otherwise what I wrote about the DA kit would apply to the RC model as well.
From the 1998 article:
...the DA all-steel kit is quite close to the Grande's 46000-46499 series built by Pressed Steel in 1947-48. Inside length was 42-9 verses 41-0 for the SP prototype, or 40-6 for the model. 2 feet 3 inches is a lot less of a difference than 6 feet, and inside height was the same at 5-0. The Rio cars also used the exact same Dreadnaught end that is supplied with the kit, although there were some other differences.
So basically the RC/IMRC GS gon is based on the UP 40' car, and shorter than the D&RGW prototype.
There are two accurate GS gons, the W&R brass car, which is not an economical option to have a longish train of them assuming you can find any to buy, and there is a 3D printed GS gon but IIRC, it represents a gon that didn't last as long. Some of the GS gons were still in use when the limestone runs were still being made on the Monarch branch, which IIRC lasted until the mine was closed down in 1982. My modeling period includes that operation so these GS gons are of interest to me, and I have accepted the RC/IMRC gons as stand-ins.
At the end of the day, I imagine many purchase models that are not exact matches or even stand-ins so circlling back around to the original topic, models may still be popular and sell well, despite not being faithful copies.