Is it worth it?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hi all,

I’ve been grappling with temptation for a while with this brass locomotive listed at Caboose Hobbies. It’s a good looking loco detailed for the AT&SF, but to get it to an operational level, I’d have to:

  1. Paint it

  2. Install DCC

  3. Sell one of my sound-equipped N scale Kato Mikados to cover half the cost.

I haven’t really had any experience with brass models, so I don’t know how easy it will be to dismantle/install DCC, and given that it’s unpainted, it looks like it’s an earlier model - I think I’ve identified it on that Spookshow site, and it got a B, (with a possible ‘A’ if power pickup issues were addressed). Does anyone have any experience with this model, or is the effort worth the cost? Any advice/thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

tbdanny

2

Danny, as no one has responded yet, may I suggest you drop a PM to CAZEPHYR and Tom White? Both of these gentlemen could write a book about brass locos.

-Crandell

3

Actually, I spoke to a couple of guys at work who have brass models. The loco in question is from 1983, and as such would probably be a nightmare to install DCC in. I’ve already got 2 decent mikados, and my layout’s at capacity. Thanks for the advice, but I think I’ll stick with plastic.

4

Installing a DCC decoder in a brass loco is not really a nightmare. You may have to insulate the motor from the frame, but that can be done with tape. As there will be no NMRA plug to just hook up the decoder, you will also need to hardwire it. But that´s about all there is to it.

Brass locos do make a difference!

5

Hi!

I have seen a lot of brass locos and greatly admired most of them. I do not own any (pretty much for the cost). It sounds like that in addition to the cost, you may have to “hire a painter”, and perhaps have someone install DCC. In any case, the total cost of the loco could end up being quite a bit.

And, like the HO sound equipped locos I have, once you get one, you must have more!!!

Soooo, with that in mind, if you can afford it, go for it!!!

Mobilman44

6

Does it come with the packing fuzz, or is that optional?

7

Here’s a link to a product review on the ‘Spookshow’ site:

Key ATSF 2-8-2 3160

Looks very nice, but I can personally think of many other things I’d rather spend that kind of money on.

8

Thank you all for your advice. I’ve decided I won’t go with it - the expense may be a bit too much.

Thanks all,

tbdanny