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Back2Basics
PART 12 – The Basics of Brass
Section 1: An Introduction to Brass Models
By Tom Watson
Once upon a time (BC: Before China), it was almost impossible to own an authentic, operating model railroad without one or more brass locomotives. Such is no longer the case, but many thousands of brass models remain in service and in collections, and “brass trains” remain an important element in the hobby, not least as collectable items. This Back2Basics part will explore the essentials, the attractions, and some of the fallacies associated with this “hobby within a hobby”. All photos are by the author.
What are “Brass Trains” ?
The variety of railroad-related items available in brass is quite staggering. To most model railroaders, the term means brass locomotives, and especially steam locomotives, and predominantly HO scale. There is a sound basis for this because, although brass models have been produced in 0, N and S scales, and narrow gauges, these are relatively minor and specialised compared with HO scale. The best available database, that of BrassTrains.com, lists approximately 80% of models in HO; 15% in O; 4.5% in N and 0.5% in S scale.
There have been some little gems produced in N scale, but they remain rather uncommon on this side of the Atlantic. Similarly, although arguably the most impressive brass locomotives have been built in O scale, notably those of Kohs & Co, they are also fabulously expensive and there are only a handful of serious collections in the UK. Thus, most of what follows relates mainly to HO models.
Perhaps more surprising is the fact that steam locomotives are not in the majority. Both steam and diesel have been produced in similar numbers, with diesels having a slight edge at approximately 30% compared to 29% for steam. This is largely because diesels are easier to build; there is much more information available on individual variants and the same platform and drive can often be utilised for different models. So, there are more unique individual diesels compared to steam. For example, in 1993 alone Overland Models had Ajin build 28 different unpainted versions of the EMD F7 diesel. Steam locomotives tend to be more unique and hence more demanding in terms of design information and more dependent on the popularity of individual roads and prototypes. They also tend to be more expensive. A very popular prototype, such as the UP 4-8-8-4 Big Boy, with eight preserved examples in existence, has been copied in HO by at least eight different builders/importers, often with multiple runs. Also included in this variety of motive power are smaller numbers of electrics, gas turbines, rail cars, and a various traction trams and trolleys.
The remaining balance of brass models divides about evenly between passenger cars, at 20% and freight cars and structures at 21%. The large numbers of passenger cars produced is interesting, considering the minor role that such trains play on the prototype, but many of the models were produced in the 1970’s and early ‘80’s at a time when they were relatively cheap and there were few prototypical alternatives in plastic. More recently, whole named-trains have been produced by, e.g. The Coach Yard, beautifully factory painted, with glazing and fully lighted interiors, and at an eye-watering cost.
Finally, in brass we can find a wonderful range of more obscure
Fairbanks-Morse H-15-44 diesel road-switcher by Samhongsa, for Key in 1981.
Early Interurban - a McKeen 55 ft Railcar by Kumata in 1968 for Ken Kidder
Vintage steam in the form of a USRA 4-8-2 Heavy Mountain by Akane Seisakusho, c. 1961. This model is detailed for a Norfolk & Western K-1. Note the blackened chassis and gold-painted superstructure.
April 2018 - ROUNDHOUSE 15