I have no idea whether one could produce a locomotive for $750, but I do recall
that back in the Eighties Williams, a manufacturer of hi-rail P-gauge trains,
came up with brass locomotives that were brass and offered at prices
considerably below that of brass. I recall the following: a heavy USRA
Pacific, a PRR K4, a light USRA Mike, and a NYC Niagara. I went to a train
show at Ann Arbor back then and saw the K4.
The person selling the stuff explained to me that the idea was very simple:
Include only the basic detail. Although I was in tinplate at the time, I had
very little money to purchase any item, not even a brass locomotive a discount
prices. Whether they ran well, perhaps someone on the list knows. Anyone who
purchased such a production at a very low price could certainly have detailed
the thing.
Perhaps that is how one could offer a "brass" steam locomotive at a very low
price today. Somewhere I read about an outfit that intends to produce a Mike
with a diecast boiler and brass detailing. That might be another approach to
offering a good-looking product at prices below those of exquisite brass.
What is all the hue and cry about brass anyway? Years ago I heard, "It's like
having money in the bank." Yeah right! If the economy tanks, he who has
amassed the greatest collection will be offering his pieces at prices below
what he paid for them. It ain't no "money in the bank," unless of course the
bank is Fanny Mae, Freddie Mac,or one operated by Keating!
Sure brass is great, and a well-crafted product is a thing of joy to behold,
but the quality of plastic products, particularly in HO but to some degree in S
as well, nearly equals that of brass. Some who flirted with HO in the Sixties
may remember the Tenshodo FT units that had a nose contour out of the drawing
plans of a third grader. It was utterly off, and apparently people bought it
because it was "BRASS"!
My local modeler friend who has modeled for years in HO told me that those
beautiful brass products of years ago did not run well. That thread has
surfaced here recently, too. So to the person who wants to produce a brass
locomotive at lower prices with a quality mechanism, go for it! I wish you
well.
Tom
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