Best Running Brass engines are produced by...

For all you who have brass engines or have run any what would you say the best operating brass narrow gauge engines, that you have operated are, scale doesn't matter. Just wanted to see what people think.
Alex

 

Sorry Alex, the scale does matter to me........I am looking

 

My old PFM/United C&S mogul ran great after a new coreless motor was installed in place of the open frame. My new Train and Trooper ET&WNC ten wheeler runs well, but needs break in time as its quite stiff and needs some extra weight. Most brass can run quite well, but not always right out of the box. Mike

 

I have a PFM that is tender drive, works great on flat grade but needs more weight to be used on a grade, any suggestions.

 

While it isn't narrow gauge, my HO NKP hudson which received a very nice Coreless motor is quite fantastic. The gearbox is original to the 1977 import, but replacing the crappy motor made an enormous difference.

Michael

 

It's been said many times over the years that Westside models were/are great runners.

 

I'm thinking of getting a West Side Models c-16 does any one know how hard they are to paint since they come just in undec? Thanks?

 

I'm thinking about buying a Westside C-16 too. Problem is only price! This engine needs paint and sound.
In the 2009 HOn3 Annual from Carstens was an article about this. The autor sand blasted at first the brass engine (in parts!), gave it a primer and airbrushed it. Sounds easy. :angel:

Wolfgang

 

That always depends on how good of a paint job you want. Fortunately, the C-16s were mostly black except for the trim and smokebox. (268's Bumble Bee was for the Chicago Rail Fair in 1949 and the brief period that followed).

If you have an air brush and you know how to use it, then you are in good shape. It is generally advisable to strip or sand blast the old paint. I've stripped paint using Scalecoat's stripper. Just don't forget that brass locomotives usually have some plastic (so don't submerge all of the parts in a metal stripper). Once it is dry and clean, you hit it with paint (many professional painters use Scalecoat I black...#1 or #10, the lighter of the two...all hobby shops can order it through Walthers).

Michael

 

Thanks DSP&P fan! This is exactly what I wanted to know. You have been a great help in this post and in another post by me comparing Balboa and West Side Models. Thanks again!