> Yeah, but its still BRASS... leaving most of us facing two facts...
> (1) its will be priced out of reach of most of us, AND (2) it will
> probably have operational issues (read : won't run well). John
> Degnan [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
Agreed, John. RTR brass and brass kits are expensive but if you build it
yourself, you can get the accuracy that you most want. Other materials are
fine, but I am most comfortable in the brass building arena...and as far as
expense goes, how many steam locos does one need or plan on building?
It takes at least 200 hours to build a brass loco not including the paint
job which I always figure it takes about 20 to 25 hours to do properly.
Believe me, I've timed it.
On the other hand, a composite kit is probably the way to go because it is
easier to build and perhaps less time. A built up mechanism may be the way
to go as well. I am starting to lean toward that approach in future kits.
But I am not sure how my customers would feel about spun cast or resin parts
though. I did have to field a few comments about the CNR K-3 Pacific kit
having a cast resin cylinder chest instead of having to be built up from
brass etchings. Trust me, the time involved to install a cast resin
cylinder chest is minimal versus having to build one out of brass etchings
and castings and in the cast resin case, there are no chances of short
circuit from errant engine truck wheels.
Although I take great pride in making locos run well and it is a fun thing
for me to do, I am not sure everyone else shares the same enthusiasm. So
the older RTR brass is not a problem for me. I am told that the new stuff
from RR and PBL are excellent runners right out of the box.
I have seen older S scale brass go for really cheap prices compared to HO
(ie MLW/Alco RS11m for $400 in S versus $500+ in HO). I figure it's because
either we really don't have the numbers of people yet to create the demand
or people in S are really nicer and try to keep the prices down to attract
more people;->
As far as HO brass goes, I predict that prices will decline unless you are a
collector because eventually there will be so much inexpensive accurate
stuff available that is composite or 'plastic' that the brass market will
fall. It is happening right now with HO Canadian prototypes. CNR and CPR
plastic cabooses just hit the market for $39 and were sell-outs and now you
can't give away a resin or wood caboose kit. The brass ones are falling in
price from $200 plus to less than $100. Will this happen in S? Not sure.
But if an S scale USRA light Mike comes out for less than $650 that is
scale, I think that the OMI brass ones ($650 to $1000+), which are poor
running unless you change out the gearing and are inaccurate, will lose
their value.
As far as kit running qualities go, I would put any one of my Pacifics that
I have built using an AM mechanism with a Falhbaur motor with a 3.45:1
gearhead against anything that anyone else has to offer.
cheers,
Andy Malette
www.mlwservices.ca
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