Hi Bill; Well, he did put "tongue in cheek" in the subject as a clue!
OTOH, I have certainly heard from people who have no intention of running their brass, and know one expert on painting and repairing models who reported calling an importer over a model that simply could not run as assembled, only to be told by the importer that "nobody runs these things anyway". The fact that so many members of your collectors group view them as "models" rather than art objects is encouraging. Pieter E. Roos --- On Sun, 8/5/12, Bill Lane <[email protected]> wrote: George, I don’t know if you are goofing or really believe some of your statements or not but… >>Painting brass reduces the future sale value.<< Then that means I have done a great disservice to the poor 500+ brass models I have painted over the past 20+ years. If your thoughts were true why would others want me to paint their models? Are they now worthless when the unpainted versions are still worth their original purchase price? >>Running a brass model on a layout can evidently, greatly reduce the value.<< I disagree with this as well. Given that older brass was not known for their great running qualities the fact that it has been run may mean someone else has reworked or tuned the drive. – getting it to run well. The heavy lifting has already been done. Conversely I view “never been run” as a possible “not handled or repaired much” which can be a positive. And I do view a badly done or “fictional” paint job as being worth less than an unpainted model especially if it is on a very road specific car. I own the Brass Collectors group. I don’t think you have to be a member to view the various “interest and use” polls I have ran over the years. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/brasscollectors/polls But in short MOST member ran their brass models just the same as their others, and most do not consider themselves to be collectors. Further they would not have an issue modifying any model to suit their wants. That has been 98% of my modeling – “making the model my own”. In only one example I have 2 of the only correct N8 without antennas in all of S Scale. http://www.lanestrains.com/Cabin_Car_Photos/PRR_N8_478021.jpg I would like to that my efforts were not wasted and my models are now certainly not worth less that the same unpainted model. Would you prefer to see this B&O train http://youtu.be/uRMyx1-vaTQ to go by with all bare brass models? Brass models have evolved into a low production way of making models that would not normally be made in other materials. They are striving for the best possible details which is what we all are trying to achieve. Correct PAINT and weathering is a detail! We don’t see our favorite prototype rolling stock running completely unpainted and rusted… As far as my brass “falling apart” I have had my share of loose parts but no more or less than average. Thank You, Bill Lane Modeling the Mighty Pennsy & PRSL in 1957 in S Scale since 1988 See my finished models at: http://www.lanestrains.com Look at what has been made in PRR in S Scale! See my layout progess at:http://www.lanestrains.com/My_Layout.htm Custom Train Parts Design http://www.lanestrains.com/SolidWorks_Modeling.htm PRR Builders Photos Bought, Sold & Traded (Trading is MUCH preferred) http://www.lanestrains.com/PRRphotos.xls ***Join the PRR T&HS*** The other members are not ALL like me! http://www.prrths.com http://www.lanestrains.com/PRRTHS_Application.pdf Join the Pennsylvania Reading Seashore Lines Historical Society It's FREE to join! http://www.prslhs.com Preserving The Memory Of The PRSL
