I inadvertantly purchased my first brass model and it was one that I wasn’t expecting (I always thought it’d be a smaller 2-8-0 or Mikado). A Westside/KTM TTT-6 2-10-2 came up on the 'bay with a $250 buy it now price, I offered $200. I told myself that if the seller could at least cover the cost of shipping with a small discount I’d probably bite. They came back with $225 and sure enough, 3 days later its at my door step.
My only experience with brass is my BLI brass-hybrid 4-12-2, so I suppose technically my first all-brass model. Brasstrains has some in their guide from Westside, seem to be 1978 or there abouts. The seller told me that it ran sluggishly. They sell a lot of trains (I’m thinking estate sale stuff) and they could test them, but weren’t comfortable opening them up. I figured if I had to, I could probably re-motor it, there’s a ton of resources on that subject.
I put it on some test track and sure enough, it runs but it sounds like there is some gear slipping. Broken or worn gear tower? I open it up, and the KTM gear tower was replaced with a NWSL 36/1 gear tower, likely to slow the model down. Not only that, the open frame 3-pole motor I was anticipating was already replaced with a nice sized can! Turns out, the ‘gear slipping’ that was happening was the old black rubber u-joint sleeve was failing. I’m in the process of ordering a HobbyTown universal coupling kit to replace it with. The chassis is free rolling, no quartering issues to contend with.
Interestingly, the tender is numbered differently from the engine. I wonder if there was a mix up and the original owner had multiples, and this tender ended up on this one by mistake.
The paint seems okay, not professional but not thick either. I may send it off to a professional - if anyone has any recommendations I’m all ears. Won’t be for a wh
I think I am getting close to owning a dozen brass locomotives, and four Oriental Powerhouse hybrids.
I do not own any from Westside models, but I do want a Brute.
Hopefully the universal joint will fix all of your running issues. I have heard poor reports of the NWSL gearboxes. Supposedly Precision Scale is better, but I have no experience with any of them.
It is pretty. Congratulations on the exciting addition to your fleet.
USRA 0-8-0, USRA Light 4-6-2, 2 of USRA Heavy 2-8-2, USRA light 4-8-2
Your first brass experience was better than mine. It’s not worth posting pictures of. A westside 44 tonner, the dark paint and dark photos hid the remotoring hack-job. I got a substantial partial refund, and can fix the mess.
I think that’s a fine looking engine. Not being familiar with the prototype I wouldn’t know where it’s lacking detail wise, but I do know UP had some larger steamers that didn’t opt for many of the appliances that cluttered up the engine, leaving a pleasing clean appearance, as your model posesses. Dan
Best brass I own is a pair of Virginian EL3A side rod electrics from Oriental. Exquisite detail and fine runners. Could hardly afford two when they came out. 3 would have probably cost me my marriage. Now I just found out only 80 were made and they are in high demand and commanding a huge premium in price. Nice to get lucky now and then.
Those are some beautiful examples Kevin, thank you for sharing! So far the NWSL gearbox has been okay, no issues yet but it is from an earlier run of gearboxes from them. The newer ones are ball bearing equipped so I’m looking at replacing it with one of those, but precision scale has come up too. I’m not going to mess with it until I get the drive train coupling sorted out yet. Do you prefer to keep them unpainted or do they all eventually get paint?
Thank you Dave! I always expected to pay several hundred more for brass especially when I was younger. It isn’t somet
They are all destined for paint, custom decals, and weathering.
Up until late 2016 I had a 10 by 12 layout in my spare bedroom. I only had a half-dozen locomotives, one was the brass Tenshodo 0-8-0, and another was an Oriental Powerhouse 2-8-2.
When I took down the spare bedroom layout I had a plan to remodel the house to give me a new train room 11 by 22. I came up with a plan, and I knew I wanted a fleet of USRA brass steam locomotives.
So, other than the Tenshodo 0-8-0, all my brass locomotives have been acquired recently, and when I do not have a layout. Painting these has not been top priority.
Hopefully (fingers crossed) I will have the train room soon, and then I will want to get the fleet painted and ready for service.
I actually prefer less detail on my locomotives. My Key USRA light 4-8-2 has more detail than my Sunset USRA heavy 4-8-2. However, it looks more fragile.
Locomotives require maintenance and repair. I don’t like breakable fiddly bits causing problems. That is why I really do not care for the modern plastic steam locomotives… too much stuff to break.
