Page 16 - NMRA Roundhouse March-April 2018

cars: Some regular freight cars, e.g. Express cars or heavy-duty flats, but more often non-revenue MoW cars, such as snow ploughs, cranes, ballast cars and, of course, cabooses. Thanks largely to the efforts of Overland Models Inc.(OMI), we also have a variety of railroad-related structures, such as bridges, water tanks and coaling-towers at the top end of the size spectrum, down to individual water, oil and sand stand-pipes at the other end.
Why Brass Models ?
Traditionally, prototype fidelity was the main justification for the purchase price of a brass model. Not that the earliest brass models from Japan were particularly accurate, plentiful, or available for the road you might be modelling. Nevertheless, in the mid-1950’s when the first advertisements for imported brass models started to appear in the USA, they represented a revolutionary advance on what was previously available. Since then there has been such an expansion of brass building that most roads and prototypes have been provided.
Prototypical accuracy remains to this day a reason for buying brass. It can be argued, with some justification, that with the proliferation of excellent models from China, in plastic, diecast metal and hybrid combinations, often with DCC and sound, a prototypical layout today can be built without any need for brass. That is certainly the case for diesel power, and even gas turbines now, but less so for steam or electrics, especially beyond the more common wheel arrangements and popular roads. Anyone hoping to build up a complete or representative roster of motive power
An Electric PRR L6 2-(4+4)-2 by Kumata for Alco in 1972.
need one or more brass locomotives. Modern brass locos are generally prototype specific right down to the road number. The same holds true of speciality cars that would never be available as plastic or resin kits.
But there are other reasons for buying brass: Brass is more durable; the various parts are less likely to break off or get damaged. Well-made brass is better detailed, runs better and is more reliable;(not always). New prototypes are frequently available in brass long before they are produced in plastic. Rare paint schemes are often only available in factory or custom painted brass, e.g. EMD demonstrators.
Then of course brass is collectable. Just as some folks collect postage stamps, or coins, or old sports cars, so some model railroaders collect brass trains. Some like to display their collections and take pleasure in simply looking at them, usually preferring models in “natural brass” i.e. unpainted – although it should be noted that the majority of “unpainted” brass models are covered by a thin coat of clear lacquer to prevent tarnish, and a few may be painted in gold or brass colour for effect or to cover-up poor workmanship. (Such varnish can be one of the main causes of problems with electrical conductivity). Some collections are based on collecting the novel, the unique, or unusual; some are based on collecting particular types of model or wheel-arrangements, such as articulated locos or geared locos; some may be haphazard and opportunistic; some are based on the output of individual builders or importers, such as PFM Crowns or Custom Brass Royales; but it is likely that the majority of collections are based on the railroad(s) modelled.
Then there are those who buy brass as an investment, in the expectation that their models will appreciate over time. Now, let’s be very clear about something: ALL importers, retailers and second-hand dealers in brass, (with the possible exception of Richard Maxwell), have a vested interest in encouraging such expectations. They want to sell their brass to you. Always keep this in mind when listening to their assertions. Foremost amongst such assertions is the claim that brass models are “works of art”. No, they are not. Even using the stretched definition of “fine art”, only a few of the early individually hand-built models might have some grounds for consideration;(hence their often-extravagant valuations).
Standard 4,500 HP Gas Turbine, UP #56 with Round Tender, made by Ajin for Overland in 1991.
from, say, the Transition Era of 1944 – 1958 is probably going to
16 ROUNDHOUSE - April 2018