Tell us why you chose the option you chose. I spect most would like to answer brass but affordbility is a big issue.[;)]
Have to say plastic.
More affordable and definately more available.
I am mainly into post 1980 diesel locos and plastic
seems to be what I find more often at the hobby shop.
I also can repaint faster on plastic if I want to do my own road colors.
[}:)]
In curiousity,you called brass so-so,WHY???
There are some AWESOME brass models out there,
especially if you model steam,I do not, but please,
justify YOUR opinion of brass!![:0]
Your wording is extremely bias toward a vote for plastic. Why should one be comparing an excellent plastic loco with a so-so brass one?
In fact, my passion is camelback locomotives. These do not come in plastic with any accuracy of detail what so ever. And when it comes to steam locomotives in general, brass is it a no-contest winner, even compared to those new plastic models that are in the $500+ range. Anybody who owns brass examples of such is fully aware of this.
JB
I actually would prefer plastic - mainly because the prototype I model has power that’s passed through several hands, and therefore has been modified to teh point where a brass model is unlikely to be correct without modification. Since plastic is the material I know, I’d rather start with a plastic model if I have to bash it to get what I need.
There was, however, a brass release of early CB&CNS power that I’d love to have. We all gotta dream…[:)]
I can’t afford brass so model with plastic. Once prototyped and painted it is hard to see the difference.
Manufactures cannot afford to create a mold (plastic) or machine (brass) for every road and every number. Therefore they manufacture products that are generic and resemble as close to the prototype as possible the most popular roads and numbers.
I think that the plastic models nowadays are quite realistic so why go to the extra expense of brass.
because there are some modelers that won’t settle with a plastic model.
As for me, I’ll settle with good plastic (P2K & Spectrum), but If I ever get money pouring out of my ears, I’ll go 1/3 of the way with brass (the other thirds go to plastic and stratchbuilt streamliners of my own design)
The only brass I might consider buying would be a certain type of relatively rare protoype that is not likely ever to appear as a plastic kit or R-T-R. Examples: modern multi-compartment tank cars or carbon black covered hopper cars.
Even then, I would rather scratchbuild or kitbash something to make what I want, if only for the sense of accomplishment.
John
I bought brass N scale diesel locomotives GP 7, GP9, S1, S4, F’s) 20+ years ago when there was no plastic available of comparable accuracy and detail. I bought plastic then also. The 1970’s Atlas GP9 is was a nice model which could be upgraded with thinner handrails and the brass U50 while very nice was not a lot better looking than the Minitrix at the head of a train. But the plastic modes available now are a lot better. I still buy brass if its a good model of what I want and there isn’t a good alternative in plastic. (recently a beautiful brass WP caboose)
It’s all plastic here, accept I have a brass 4-6-0. I would love to have a brass big boy, too.
Plastic works for me. Brass is just too expensive for me to justify. I’m comfortable working with plastic and enjoy kit bashing and adding details to get an accurate model.
Tom Watkins
I have some brass, but theyare the showcase collector pieces. The stuff on my layout is plastic
I’ m just a cheap Dutchman who can’t (or won’t) justify the expense of brass. Besides, the level of detail is excellent on my plastic Shay. I would like a galloping goose and if its not available in plastic, I will just have to kit bash and make one, just like the real one was.
I have a brass 0-4-0 Dockside. It out pulls everything i have. I would love to have a brass 4-6-4 Canadian Pacific Hudson or a 4-8-4 in CP livery as well. But until I can convince the wife to shell out the G-note for these, I’ll stick with plastic
Gordon
Gentlemen, You are correct about the wording of the poll. Obviously a top notch Brass Model will be in or close to the four figure price range. I put the “So-So” wording in to give an impression of parity price wise.
I for one, would love to have nothing but Brass, but as other comments reflect, cost is the determining factor. (Who woulda guessed[;)] huh?) It appears justification of such expense is quite prevalent in this poll.
Brass…as it will outlast any plastic model outhere. And when I am old I’d love to see my grand children running the old 2-8-0 that I have.
I, of course, have several plastics that I enjoy and they look pretty darn good. It really comes down to money at the end of the day.
I would neverer buy a brass diesel, the new plastic engines are much better in looks, performance and price. Also because I am a steam head 
Anyway, I am less likely to buy brass in the future, since there is so many nice plastic and diecast pieces out there. It is hard to justify spending $400 on a brass piece when I can get a similiar unit with sound for about $100 less. The problem is, and this has been debated ad nasuem in other forums, but brass is the domain of the collectors. Fortunately, operators have more choices now than ever before.
Detting , I agree whole Heart’dly. Nough said.[8D]
If anyone out there needs to be convinced of how far plastic has come you need to find a store that carries Bachmanns Large Scale 2-8-0 Consolidation or their 2-4-0 or 2-6-0 spectrum lines WOW are they well done, If this can be done in large scale,their HO specrum must be as good
A premium detailed brass engine is $1000+ no matter what scale your in. OK brass is still around $500 so give me high quality plastic.
For many years now plastic has surpassed brass with the finesse of detail that technology has made possible ; for the price, nothing in brass even comes close to the diesels you get from Proto 2000, Genesis, Atlas or Kato. I’m not so sure about the steam engines but I guess the plastic new ones will set a higher reference in that category too.
Martin
Québec City