Hi everyone,
I have asked this before but never got a satisfying answer. I saw a EM-1 on the Atlas forum but haven’t been accepted as a member yet so I can’t ask the question there. Are there any Em-1’s available in brass and if so where can I find one? It would have to be DCC or DCC upgradable.
The only one I have seen so far is one at Caboose hobbies but according to people on this forum it is to expensive for what it is. So any suggestions?
Magnus
Hello Lillen, Ebay is where I found both of mine and I’m happy with the prices I paid(ignorance is bliss). I would say outside of tripping over one at a hobby shop ebay is your best bet with a couple of caveats: be patient they don’t show up too often and watch the prices for comparable model(s) before you bid on any EM-1s. Ask questions about age, originality (original motor,missing parts,original box,etc), check out any photo(s) for that auction listing (it’s absolutely amazing how many flaws can be hidden in a picture clear or not). Auctions (ebay or other types of auctions) can be a little strange in that besides condition of the item for some strange reason an item in one auction will draw a crowd and bigger bids, other times it seems as if no one is interested so it might go comparatively cheap. I know this doesn’t give you any set prices but hopefully a better idea of what to look for or expect.
Good luck and happy hunting.
Andrew
I don’t think anyone has made a brass EM1 in several years, but there should still be a few from the most recent issue available. Don’t expect to get one of those cheap.
Akane made the B&O EM-1 and the DM&IR Yellowstone (same basic loco, very different tender) back in the 60’s, and these pop up on ebay sometimes. A nice one should go for $400 or so, as they are not highly detailed and are fairly common. An older club member was showing us some paperwork from when he bought his first EM1 back in the 60’s, and he paid $69.95 for it.
I could be mistaken but I believe the EM-1 you refer to is from Challenger Imports, out maby 3 or 4 years ago. I think it was priced new at around 3K or so.
I think Bandoman is right about the Challenger EM-1–they go for BIG BUCKS! If you check E-bay or possibly Caboose Hobbies in Denver (caboosehobbies.com) you might come across one of the old Akanes, which while not as highly detailed, are generally very good runners and can be adapted to DCC rather easily by either replacing or isolating the motor. Akane made both the EM-1 and Missabe Yellowstones using the same basic wheel-base (but then so did Baldwin, the builder of the prototypes–the difference being that the EM-1’s were built with lighter materials), only with different boilers and tenders. I think probably the Missabe yellowstones were more common–at least I tend to see them more often on used brass websites. But those old Akanes are REAL pullers, and have a very simple-very effective drive train (Akane was well known for their quiet, smooth drives back in the 'sixties). The loco is prototypically articulated–only the front set of drivers swing. They WILL take a fairly small radius (26"), but the boiler overhang is ferocious, of course. I’ve got two of the older Akane Missabe yellowstones, and they look best on a 34" radius or larger.
But they run well, and they PULL!
Happy hunting!
Tom [:)]
Thanks for all the help guys.
To bad there is none in production now. Probably makes the wife happy though. I sure hope that someone will start making them in mass production soon.
Magnus
Interesting comments… my only experience with Akane wasn’t nearly that positive. I wanted a USRA 2-6-6-2 and bought one of them from Ebay. The front engine wasn’t even powered and the locomotive itself was about the quality of a trainset loco today in terms of its operation. Needless to say, I was disappointed. Even moreso when Spectrum announced the same locomotive about six months later! So, the bes way to guarantee that ANY engine that you want will come out as a more mass-produced product is buy one in brass! : (
dlm
There are a few newer EM-1’s came out on Ebay but pricing is way above my paygrade. I think around 2 to 3 thousands of dollars.
B&O Em1’s will be most welcome.
[quote user=“danmerkel”]
Interesting comments… my only experience with Akane wasn’t nearly that positive. I wanted a USRA 2-6-6-2 and bought one of them from Ebay. The front engine wasn’t even powered and the locomotive itself was about the quality of a trainset loco today in terms of its operation. Needless to say, I was disappointed. Even moreso when Spectrum announced the same locomotive about six months later! So, the bes way to guarantee that ANY engine that you want will come out as a more mass-produced product is buy one in brass! : (
dlm
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This is one subject that really ticks me off.A lot of people have been wanting a plastic EM-1 for years,yet the manufacturers refuse to listen.You can get zillions of Big Bores and Challengers but no EM-1s.And I’m sure EVERYONE will get that Erie Triplex for their layout!It’s this sort of nonsense that gets me disallusioned about model RRing in general.
If you look at unmade articulated for plastic, the next two would be the EM-1 and DM&IR yellowstone. They would make the most sense right now.
Eric
I agree. And frankly, it wouldn’t be difficult to produce either one by the same mfgr–the drive mechanisms would be identical, and all that would be needed would be different boilers and tender castings. Seems like a slam-dunk to me, at least. And from what I’ve read from model steam fans over the past few years, there wouldn’t be much of a problem in marketing–both 2-8-8-4’s seem to be high on everyone’s ‘wish-list.’
Tom
Hopefully, they’re on MTH’s 2008 production list.
Orly?
Is there a source that you can show this information? If indeed there is a EM-1 coming with DCC and sound, I would like to learn more precisely about it.
I must say that I hope that BLI/PCM makes one. I wouldn’t want a plastic engine like my Athearn Challenger. Ofcourse I would still get ONE. But probably not more then that. If someone makes a decent one in die cast I’ll get 30 of them if the price is reasonable.
Magnus
To be honest, I will look more towards the MTH EM-1 if indeed such a engine is in the works.
PCM will probably require 2 years and a mound of pre-orders before trying to determine of such a unit will be produced.
Maybe I will save the dollars and get a brass one off the ship and be done with the plastic EM-1.
I don’t own any MTH engine so I don’t know much about them. But as long as they are not plastic I’m planing to get a lot of them.
Magnus
You might want to search “Triplex” and read the associated discussion on that engine being produced by MTH. I see this Triplex as the future in MTH and think that the EM-1 would also be produced the same way. One would probably need one of thier controllers to get the most out of those engines. I dont know. I dont want to take it any further than that.
Because of my thoughts about MTH and DCC compatibility I am leaning towards Brass. If Proto or someone similar wants to produce this EM-1 they are either have to have it in the pipeline or get involved with this model. Several forums have the EM-1 frequently come up as a desired engine. Not just for the B&O but for other roads.
There are just too many Big Boys saturating the market, how hard is it to make a EM-1 out of existing Bigboy tooling? Im ignorant about this and think it takes a simple cutters and remove the first pilot truck axle or something.