Brass Question

[quakers1]

Hello,

I have a quick question to ask. Recently, I have been looking at some brass models from Overland, since they make models that aren't available in plastic.

I have read up on brass locomotives, and I usually see articles about collecting brass locomotives. Are brass locomotives solely built for collection purposes, or are they appropriate to use on your railroad just as you do with plastic models?

This may sound kinda funny to ya'll, but I am just trying to take the most integrated approach to building a large model railroad as possible.

Thanks for all help,

-Skylar

 

[Espeefan]

Berass models are very operable. While a large amount of thenm are bought and displayed...never run, many do operate their models. I have a large brass collection and run many of my models regularly. The Overland stuff runs well, and the newer models can come with DCC, or at least the dummy plug ready for your decoder.

 

[quakers1]

Hey,

Thanks for your help. I try to use plastic whenever possible, but sometimes you just gotta go with brass.

 

[GN.2-6-8-0]

Letting a beautiful brass model set in a display case collecting dust or worst tucked away in a closet is really a waste. take'm out and run them so others can enjoy looking at these lovely pieces of machinery.

 

[NH Mike]

Every hobby has collectors and users - if that is a right description. I have about a dozen brass engines and 2 pieces of brass rolling stock. I also have 5 pieces of traction equipment in brass. I bought them because I liked them for one reason or another. I run everything and have painted 1 engine and 1 brass caboose.

In my mind owning something and not using it is the same as a eunich marrying a super model.

 

[malletman]

I love running my brass engines, granted they are older PFM and Balboa steam engines. Here is a pic of my little C&S 2-6-0 narrow gauge mogul. She just got her old open frame motor replaced with a Maxon coreless motor. Cheers Mike

 

[ChevelleSSguy]

Paying the outragous price for these just to look at them makes about as much sense and dumping 50K plus into a classic car restoration and then just looking at it in the garage all the time.

 

[malletman]

But some people do just that Chris. I have seen loads of cars with insane amounts of money dumped into them, chrome everything, including exhaust and underbody parts. They get driven a few hundred feet, from the show arena to the enclosed trailer with checkboard tile floor to be hauled to the next show. Fine models are like fine cars, operated and enjoyed, but still treated with respect. Cheers Mike

 

[bkpigs]

Steamaholic, I don't think Chris was meaning the ones who bring them to shows and never drive them. I think he is talking about the ones who never take the car out of the garage and almost no one ever sees it.

 

[Selector]

I would encourage every person reading to be as little or as smuch self-indulgent in this hobby as they wish to be. A hobby is self-indulgence...do as seems best to you. If that includes taking tips and cues from others, so be it. If it means defining your practises solely as you would like, without input from others, please do it!

Most of us do a mix of both. It can be a social hobby, and many of us are not averse to discussing with another person why they do what the do the way they do it.

If I am asked, I tell people that I enjoy watching my trains move through model terrain that I create. I must place some engines on display because of space constraints, but not because I am averse to running expensive items. I am hoping to get my first brass engines, a Sunset QSI-equipped Selkirk 2-10-4, but they must still need orders. I can't think of a reason why I'd store or place on display an engine that has a sound decoder in it. So, nope, it will run, just as it was designed to do.

-Crandell

 

[ChevelleSSguy]

But some people do just that Chris. I have seen loads of cars with insane amounts of money dumped into them, chrome everything, including exhaust and underbody parts. They get driven a few hundred feet, from the show arena to the enclosed trailer with checkboard tile floor to be hauled to the next show. Fine models are like fine cars, operated and enjoyed, but still treated with respect. Cheers Mike

Steamaholic, I don't think Chris was meaning the ones who bring them to shows and never drive them. I think he is talking about the ones who never take the car out of the garage and almost no one ever sees it.

Building trailer queen show only cars is something I see all the time. Its not my thing really. Its almost a hobby in itself actually. Which I suppose collecting brass locomotives would be a hobby in itself too actually as well.

 

[diburning]

Brass locomotives are nice, and nice to look at while running... Just don't have a collison