Should I buy brass or plastic? I've sorta been conducting a survey regarding Brass vs Plastic. A year or two ago several said Brass was the best way to go If I want to Run my trains. Now I seem to be hearing that the newer steamers like Backmann and P2K are better! Anybody have any thoughts? Rich Rush Run River Logging Company [ 09 May 2001: Message edited by: RPMorgan ]
Depends on what you want out of your trains. Are you are wanting to just run them for fun or are you looking for investment potential as well. My experience is that the plastic stuff from the better companies like Rivarossi and Proto are better for everyday use and in many instances run better than brass. Brass does look better overall and keep their value over time, but for just pure enjoyment the plastics allow you to get a whole railroad for the price of one locomotive. Kato, Atlas, and P2k in diesels are IMHO as good as brass for smoothness of operation and reliability is probably better. Rivarossi and Proto make really good steam stuff for a tenth of the brass price. I am quite happy with the plastic stuff---it just seams to get better all the time.
Brass is great if you are modeling a specific locomotive that is not available in plastic. I have several locos that will never be modeled in plastic. There are problems though. The first is price. You can buy a lot more of plastic for the price. Another problem is repair and parts if you plan on running the locos. Most brass is made in limited runs that are a lot smaller than the "limited runs" of the plastic. We are talking 100+ units vs. 10,000+ units. I have been trying to get a crank pin screw for one of my brass locos for a couple of years now without luck. As far as an investment, don't count on it. They do tend to hold their value but you won't be able to fund your retirement by counting on them to increase in value. Like most collectables, if you plan on selling them DON'T take them out of the box. Not even to test run them. Also, if they are unpainted you have to leave them that way. If you have the money and are comfortable working on brass then I would say go for it. [ 10 May 2001: Message edited by: ncng ]
I got into this debate about 17 years ago with a guy who had a 100% brass locomotive roster, all custom-painted. I couldn't afford brass then, and I can't now. He was extolling the virtues of brass, and the crappy plastic diesels on the market. Which was OK, but he made me feel like a second-class model railroader. Needless to say, I never spoke to him again. Now I have nothing against brass- if that's what trips your trigger, than go for it. However, over the years locomotives and detail parts have gotten better and more plentiful to the point where you can superdetail a plastic diesel, remotor it, paint it, and have a sweet-running engine that looks good as well. I had to learn how to superdetail when I found just how expensive brass is. And with some pieces going into four figures, it's way out of this poor boy's league. It's like other have said- it's gonna depend on what you like, and how much you're willing to spend.
A man with 8 Rivarossi or P2K mallets in his hand is a man with a plan but a man with one brass mallet in his hand is a man with more money then brains!!! I want to run my trains and I also want them to look good. Brass is something you don't run all the time and beat to death. For one you could own 2 brass mallets for the price of 8 plastic mallets! its up to the persons want and money in his wallet, and what tastes he wants........ I like "more for less" I buy alot for less. You pay what $2,000 plus in a brass steamers (mallet) and jezz look at that $200 plus in a plastic one Hmmmmmm I know what my choice is after my experiences with both brass and plastic... Don't get me wrong though, i'm not taking sides on this one. You could and will one time or another get a bad plastic and same goes for brass. So..... But plastic is way cheaper to repair, then brass. I'll pay less for a cheaper repairable loco and be happy and run it till my hearts content..... [ 11 May 2001: Message edited by: 7600EM_1 ]
Brass vs. plastic: It's a never ending saga. I model 30' & 40's steam, mostly small engines, in fact the largest is a 4-8-2 New Haven. Over the years the p2k's and some of the Genisis and Spectrums have come a long way in the detail department. Brass by and large has a lot more detailing built on. I'll continue this later... I've got to catch a plane. See ya tonight
Well, thats the type of advise I was looking for. I did spend a few dollars on 3 Logging Loco's of the PFM variety over a year ago. Total just over a grand. One needed some repair and the others ran ok and were painted when I got them so the value was lower. I know undecorated brass sells for more. The problem I have is I'm forced to handle them with extra care, not that I throw my trains around, but I'm extra careful not to bend something, I almost feel like I should sell them and buy more plastic. I bought 2 new IHC Camelbacks for $40 each and they are sweet engines. They run great at slow speed and have excellent detail. I know Bachmann has a Shay and is comming out with a Climax late this year. I will probably end up with one of each. (I wish Proto made these) Thanks for all the info... Rich
As an owner of both types heres my opinion. Brass, usually lots more detail, and usually cost at least a couple of body parts. I will buy brass if there is no alternative to get the specific loco, but it MUST run well right out of the box. PLASTIC, has come a long way in the past few years. I have no hesitation about buying P2K, Bachman, or Athearn steamers. IHC makes a fair loco too. The new P2K steamers have enough detail to rival brass and for a lot less. Bachman has good detail, and Athearn and IHC both have great running qualities and just need a few added detials to make them great. OOps almost left out Rivrossi. The new stuff is great running and just needs added detail.They have come a long way since the poor motors and deep flanges of 20 years ago.....Mike
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR> I'll continue this later... I've got to catch a plane. See ya tonight <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Well tonight ran into a few days, either that or my plane ride was much like AMTRAK a few years ago... anyway, most of my brass engines are in the $350 to $500 range, my plastics are considerably less and for the most part run as well except for one minor detail; weightsince the shell is metal it is inherently heaver. This summer I'm trying Watash's idea of pouring birdshot into the shell to fill the open spaces and add some ounces. Including the P2K 0-8-0, which I think is the best plastic loco I have ever seen [I liked them so well I bought 2 of them], the brass engines are much more detailed, and with more dimension in the detailing, I mean that each of the parts have more depth and contours. than the plastic stuff. As Mike C says "its only money". Look, the current plastic mfgs have gotten the message, every brass "run" sells out. Whether the buyers are nuts or just Bill Gates wannabes, who cares, they'll spend the cash. This means that the plastic people will start putting more detail on their high end locos and guess what... it will sell. Do you know any hobby shops with a stock of P2K 0-8-0's or 2-8-8-2's lying around I don't think sooh if you do, please e-mail me and I'll delete his stock from the shelves 'toot sweet'. Find your own level of comfort, don't do it because of 'glitz', do it because you like to watch it roll around your layout! You're right about not wanting to handle them, but once you've got markers, sound and a tune up, just put them on your layout. My New Haven is over 20yrs old and runs like a dream.
Chris, the Train Station in Columbus Ohio, will be happy to lighten your wallet ...they have a few 2-8-8-2s and just got the new run of 0-8-0s in.....Mike
<font color="336633">I would like a brass loco, but just to leave in brass and put on a shelf, it would be a C&O H8 and proberly in O scale...... one day when i'm really rich...... hmmm thats a long way off </font>
