I am pondering getting into brass engines, but like usual, I am trying to educate myself before I leap. Two main books have leapt out in front, but both are a bit pricey, so I would love your thoughts and reviews on them. I know many of you have brass, and can’t wait to get your thoughts! The books:
The Brown Book of Brass (3rd ed.), by John Glaab
The Brass Train Guide Book by Dan Glasure
I look forward to your thoughts and comments… if you know any other excellent books, let me know too!!!
I have all three editions of the Brown book of brass, which the first two version were by Ray Brown, a friend of mine. After he passed on, the third version was completed by John. The third version is good also, but all three versions are in the past and many brass models have come out since the latest ediitions and the prices are not relavant to today’s market.
I can’t speak to the quality or accuracy of the new Brass book by Dan Glasure, but have read some reviews on forums that might indicate the second edition might be better. Getting the correct information on import numbers from most companies has been nearly impossible and without that type of cooperation, facts on brass cannot be accurate.
Take a look at it if you can before you purchase it. My LHS have them in stock and you can look for yourself and decide. Maybe someone who purchased the new book can give us a review of the latest brass book on this forum.
Both books are excellent, but the third edition of the Brown Book is way out of date to be of any serious use other than a compendium of models produced up unitl 1991. The book came out in 1994, but it took almost 3 years at Chilton before hitting the stands.
Glasure’s book is current and is more than a guide. For the price you get a complete guide with current values of brass models in most scales including rollling stock…and a rather well done hard cover book on brass models. It is about the whys and wheres and the history of brass models including several interviews with well known folks in the brass field. The photography is plentiful and in color… and is magnificent. Glasure promises to keep updating the guide in the future. Pricing is rather difficult, but Dan has kept records and compiled a rather impressive record of what sold and for how much over the past decade…quite an accomplishment in its own right!
I do highly reccomend this book and the value is extremely good.
Not to sound snobby, but if you think these books are pricy, you should possibly re-evaluate why you want to get into brass models. They ain’t cheap…but they are an excellent value.
Brass models are about fine collectible art today, and even they though they operate quite well, rarely do as they have become mainly a collector’s hobby with in a hobby. Remember that the second worse sound on this planet is a brass locomotive hitting concrete.
Dan Glasure’s book should have a major influence on brass models as the field has been in a slow down since 1997 (the peak of activitiy). Reasons are plentiful and speculative…many collectors retiring or leaving the hobby, lack of current pricing information and ads in magazines, and for the operator…the new plastic and die cast models which have been excellent have become the choo choos of choice for many (including me). Also the ever escalating high prices have greatly narrowed th
Thanks for the comments… And yes, I know brass is expensive, so I plan to read and ponder for a year before I start plunking down the fortune it requires to buy some. While it may seem cheap, I am merely trying to prioritize and spread out my expenditures…
Again, thanks for info. What book do you all use as a reference to repair/rebuild them? I am thinking of doing this (I love metalwork).
Now since my grandpa has brass trains, like ALOT, I can see what i like, and what i dont, now since these engines are in my family , i will get them later in my life
Didn’t you help Dan write his book(s)?? I got a look at them the other day. Great Job!
While Howard alluded to this, I want to reiterate that you are actually getting two books: A price guide and a hardcover book. In the price guide most of the prices seemed to be in line with sales of brass that I have been aware of (or personally involved in) over the last few years in my small niche areas of interest. I found the price guide to be a little difficult to use when looking up the more obscure lines. For example they have the Sierra RR listed as a logging RR. I’m not sure I would classify the line that way. Couldn’t find certain models which I own (so I know they exist). I’m sure with some more time I would have found them. I only spent an hour total with the books. The hardcover book has some great pictures and a series of interviews with the big names in brass importing. I think Dan’s book(s) is a good buy for a brass fan. I’m sure I’ll end up owning a copy.
Yeah, I have the same opinion. I’ve noted models not listed, and pricing isn’t always right like for instance Challenger SP 0-6-0 switcher current values do not take into account that blue or green colored-boiler models (normally used for switching passenger trains in major terminals) are worth more than the plain-jane black ones. Still, with the many thousand of models covered, I find it hard to expect anything better.
I had nothing to do with the writing of Dan’s book. I offered support and agreed to be interviewed. This was 100% Dan’s doing, and I take my hat off to him. It is one hell of an acccompishment.
Many will probably critize it for one reason or another, but the bottom line is that Glasure wrote it and they did not.
I can see why folks would think that I had a part in it as it is common knowledge that I sold my business and brass collection to Dan. In the book Dan gives me credit as being his mentor. That was kind and appreciated, but Dan needed little help. He acquired his knowledge on his own and only after many long hours of painful research and total belief and love of brass models.
As being a “brass person”, I offer Dan much credit and thanks for producing this book and guide.
Dan’s Book - I have it. I like it. The only current brass book. So if your about brass, get it.
I also think he is going to gather info from folks as to the purchase price they paid for items, maybe an online data base. But can’t remember, I’m on travel atm and don’t have it in front of me.
I also think a good nick name would be “Dan’s Book” [:D]
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