Last week Norm Buckhart posted pix of the start of the 1937 AAR box cars starting out with GN wood sheathed and plywood cars.
After the last Strasburg meet Rich Yoder firmed up his intention to do a series of Mather cars.
AND I just got lucky and scored a WA Drake 3 dome tank car off of fleabay for some very reasonable coinage.
Great time to be in O scale brass!!! 
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Robbie
score on the drake. I dropped out on that and the reefer. Pricing is very inconsistent -- I watched a carworks hh go for $780 two weeks later, one bid at $404...
yoderer smack series is going to be very keen. The Kennedy doors have never been done and guys will kick themselves for not ordering. Only 20 made.
The Mather cars will also fill a void--- we still need more O/B boxcars....
I would like to see (and purchase) the Erie/Susquehanna horizontal ribbed hoppers but Rich won't even put out a signup sheet to determine interest. Is there any interest in this car in brass?
Ed
Brad, you're right. The prices for brass are all over the map. I control myself and stick to things in my price range as not to jack up the prices and force domestic buyers out of the market.
Erik, Would be nice to have some steam era highway trailers in real 1:48 I have to agree...
And yes Ed, I love the horizontal rib hopper car. I have the Overland one in HO. According to Rich the problem with hopper cars is that you need to have both the outside and inside of the car detailed which runs up the cost real quick... and the trend is to cars that have many different versions to increase the "play value" thus the limited interest in the Erie/Susie Q hopper. Sadly when Rich did the fishbelly hoppers years ago no one suggested the uber-neat Reading WWII era composite versions. These cars were the nutz and stood out well into the diesel era.
The fact that Rich and Norm (and to an extent George Kohs) is keeping the brass car market going means there is still some life left in sales of upper end cars.
As for me I'd love to see some common but never done cars like FGEX wood reefers, USRA hoppers and UTLX X3 tank cars... AND some 36 foot box cars like Fowlers and Southern SU cars.
On that line, anyone up for Canadian NSC end versions of the 1937 box car? These things really stand out! 
Brass is definitely a wild-card. I picked up two brass hoppers for about $250 shipped a couple of years ago. Saw one of them going for $275 on eBay -- more than I want to pay, but it was a really nice car. Got a brass ATSF drover car for $175, but have seen it as high as $350 (seller didn't sell it and hasn't re-listed it). Go figure.
I do like the detail and weight of brass cars and will grab them if they match what I'm looking for and are in the budget -- pretty much what I do with the other stuff I buy.
Paging through so many categories on the auction site, I gave up looking at brass cars,
but have been lucky in finding Bobbye Hall's few O scale brass cabooses in estate
sales, O scale shows(not lately!), etc. Too bad she didn't make all the HO versions
she did, in O. With an occasional look at O brass, all over the map seems to pretty well describe its pricing. Cabooses is about all I look at there, as plastic for them seems to demand repetition of the very few.
It's hard to look at brass cabooses with Brother Love making such nice ones in plastic!!!
It does make me pine for the olden days when PSC was cranking out brass cars and cabooses on a regular basis.
Just think if Pat O'Boyle was still alive how the O brass car market would be with Pat, Rich, Norm and George Kohs !
Hmmm maybe we can get GPM to take some interest in a freight car project. WFEX/FGEX 6xxxx series truss rod reefers anyone? (we need the bigears emoticon here)
I pickup brass freight cars from time to time. So far all have been for the home road. Some of the things I want, don't show up that often and when they do, they can easily go past my comfort zone.
Tank cars are an area of interest for me, not road names but types.
The best thing I've come across in the past few years are the Rich Yoder Santa Fe box and stock cars. Nicely priced and excellent models.
I rather not have to bid on an item, it's always frustrating when you're barely outbid.
Marker,
rich made great models with his atsf project. You should contact him on the acl cars as a few are left. Gary Schroeder weathered his atsf and did a masterful job. I will ask him if I can re post his images
It's hard to look at brass cabooses with Brother Love making such nice ones in plastic!!!
It does make me pine for the olden days when PSC was cranking out brass cars and cabooses on a regular basis.
Just think if Pat O'Boyle was still alive how the O brass car market would be with Pat, Rich, Norm and George Kohs !
Hmmm maybe we can get GPM to take some interest in a freight car project. WFEX/FGEX 6xxxx series truss rod reefers anyone? (we need the bigears emoticon here)
Erik,
what are you and jack going to make? I would participate in the fgex, erie horizontal hopper and the utlx tank cars... I don't really need more engines.
You should contact him on the acl cars as a few are left. Gary Schroeder weathered his atsf and did a masterful job. I will ask him if I can re post his images.
Brad - I would be grateful if to see Gary's weathering. I lost touch a couple of years ago when he was having internet problems. Love his work.
Rich picks some very interesting cars to produce, and a nice guy. The ACL ventilated cars are a good example of something I am curious about. It's a nice, unique car, but would it have been found on a freight train in the Colorado/New Mexico area? That's always a question I ask when I buy a brass freight car.
We have to think of things in O scale that have never been done but are neat and unique.
Problem is that most people funding the projects are hesitant to do in brass what's already done in plastic even when the plastic versions are mediocre.
Or things that are all boring black like the common UTLX X3 tank cars.
George Kohs mentioned PFE reefers for a future project. PRB did SFRD cars. Would be nice if we could get some FGEX cars next.
Maybe you could put a bug in Jimmy's ear that the WFEX/FGEX truss rod reefers were some of the last truss rod cars running and there's pictures of them with AB brakes.
Marker,
shoot me an email. I will send you the mail from Gary . I believe many of the boxcars could have traveled west. I believe rich has a shot of an acl in la.
You should contact him on the acl cars as a few are left. Gary Schroeder weathered his atsf and did a masterful job. I will ask him if I can re post his images.
Brad - I would be grateful if to see Gary's weathering. I lost touch a couple of years ago when he was having internet problems. Love his work.
Rich picks some very interesting cars to produce, and a nice guy. The ACL ventilated cars are a good example of something I am curious about. It's a nice, unique car, but would it have been found on a freight train in the Colorado/New Mexico area? That's always a question I ask when I buy a brass freight car.
I don't know of any western roads with "watermelon" cars so I would suspect by this that when these cars were in vogue most of the melons grown in the US were grown in the south.
Once again I'm not an expert but I would suspect that ventiator service for melons would happen if shipped to the midwest or southwest during the warm fall and summer seasons when the ambient temps in the car could rise.
Okay, I might sound really stupid here but let me just throw it out there. Even though I do World War 2 era, I would like to have some nice double stack auto loader cars that could fit nice 1/43rd scale diecast cars. Not the Walmart junk, but the nice stuff. I know I know, the 1/43rd is out of scale, 10% to big if I understand the math, but hey that is all there is. I would like to have a few auto loaders with cool 1960s muscle cars or Trans-Am and Can-Am cars loaded on them thereby combining multiple hobbies. I don't know if they would fit on true 1/48 scale rail cars but maybe, just maybe, they could be made slightly oversize to accept 1/43rd scale cars?
I have never seen these cars, although admittedly I have never really looked hard.
(let the tomato throwing begin)
Erik,
I would be in for six Erie and four Susquehanna horizontal rib hoppers... Ed and Robbie, will you two take ten apiece? Erik, lets see some budgetary pricing with them painted and weathered... What trucks would they have?
thx
At 100 we'd be talking something with multiple versions and that would encompass things done generically in plastic.
Like USRA single sheathed cars in tons of modernized variations (AB brakes, upgraded roofs, etc)?
Or 1923 AAR cars (the pre-1932 X29 and clones). Between 3 of us PRR guys we would probably buy at least 40 PRR X29s plus another dozen clones if done in by Boo Rim. They'd have to be with the different side sheathing patterns used, etc, tho.
All of the X3 tanks might meet the 100 for all variations requirements too.
Can't speak for FGEX/WFEX cars but Bill Welch is the expert and hopefully his book comes out soon.
I'm enjoying this O scale brass thread. I used to collect brass HO locomotives several decades ago; a collection long sold. I'm restarting in the hobby, in O scale, and have perused several websites selling O cars and locomotives.
Could forum members list some preferred vendors/importers? I realize this will take much research on my part but I'd like to start out on the right track. Thanks.
Tank you...tank you very much.
I'm enjoying this O scale brass thread. I used to collect brass HO locomotives several decades ago; a collection long sold. I'm restarting in the hobby, in O scale, and have perused several websites selling O cars and locomotives.
Could forum members list some preferred vendors/importers? I realize this will take much research on my part but I'd like to start out on the right track. Thanks.
Well, lets give it a start.
Since you met Rich Yoder this past Strasburg show we can say his cars are top notch. ACF watermelon cars should be delivering soon and Mather cars are next up.
Norm Buckhart's Protocraft cars are also top notch, being built by Boo Rim who is one of the premier builders.
Kohs cars are astronomically priced but almost museum quality. Hard to find and high priced but if you find a fave go for it!
Pacific Limited cars, whicn were imported by the late Pat O'Boyle, also command premium prices. Some are very unique cars and they are generally very accurate (tho I don't think the much-revered 1932 ARA car is his best effort). His "older" cars, the single and double sheathed cars are fantastic cars but they were only done in "as built" form which limits their use. All in all some very desirable models and VERY well researched.
Steve Grabowski's Keystone Model Works PRR gondola and hopper cars are also awesome cars and usually fetch a premium price. He has some models in stock yet.
The "older" imports are Precision Scale. Some are really good and some are older and lesser quality but still unique. Pretty much variety in price depending on the car and the rarity/demand. PSC did LOTS Of cars over the years.
Other smaller imports are the HobbyHill brass ACF wood reefer and two types of tank cars. A tad more less often seen and sometimes premium priced. The WA Drake tank cars are also nice models and they command a premium when seen. And Division Point imported cabeese and SP/UP GS gondolas.
Let's see, we also have some other miscellaneous cars that are seen occasionally such as the Hallmark/I&I B&O wagontop hoppers, Hallmark PRR gondolas or some of the Overland models. Nice models that are occasionally seeen.
The oldest "vintage" commonly seen are Max Gray cars. Less details than the more modern cars and often bargain prices but very sturdy construction.
Enough info for a quick start?
Rule 292's overview hits the mark. I'd add US Hobbies in with Max Gray as they were done by the same builder. NJ Custom Brass and Alco Models also did a few cars I'd put in the same class as PSC. For PRR cabin cars add Weaver's N5c and the Nd, Nda from Car Works.
We should also add to the list the custom built (in the US) Bob Parri brass cars.
Ed Rappe
Well, lets give it a start.
Since you met Rich Yoder this past Strasburg show we can say his cars are top notch. ACF watermelon cars should be delivering soon and Mather cars are next up.
Norm Buckhart's Protocraft cars are also top notch, being built by Boo Rim who is one of the premier builders.
Kohs cars are astronomically priced but almost museum quality. Hard to find and high priced but if you find a fave go for it!
Pacific Limited cars, whicn were imported by the late Pat O'Boyle, also command premium prices. Some are very unique cars and they are generally very accurate (tho I don't think the much-revered 1932 ARA car is his best effort). His "older" cars, the single and double sheathed cars are fantastic cars but they were only done in "as built" form which limits their use. All in all some very desirable models and VERY well researched.
Steve Grabowski's Keystone Model Works PRR gondola and hopper cars are also awesome cars and usually fetch a premium price. He has some models in stock yet.
The "older" imports are Precision Scale. Some are really good and some are older and lesser quality but still unique. Pretty much variety in price depending on the car and the rarity/demand. PSC did LOTS Of cars over the years.
Other smaller imports are the HobbyHill brass ACF wood reefer and two types of tank cars. A tad more less often seen and sometimes premium priced. The WA Drake tank cars are also nice models and they command a premium when seen. And Division Point imported cabeese and SP/UP GS gondolas.
Let's see, we also have some other miscellaneous cars that are seen occasionally such as the Hallmark/I&I B&O wagontop hoppers, Hallmark PRR gondolas or some of the Overland models. Nice models that are occasionally seeen.
The oldest "vintage" commonly seen are Max Gray cars. Less details than the more modern cars and often bargain prices but very sturdy construction.
Enough info for a quick start?
Rule 292's overview hits the mark. I'd add US Hobbies in with Max Gray as they were done by the same builder. NJ Custom Brass and Alco Models also did a few cars I'd put in the same class as PSC. For PRR cabin cars add Weaver's N5c and the Nd, Nda from Car Works.
We should also add to the list the custom built (in the US) Bob Parri brass cars.
Ed Rappe
Bob Parri cars are handmade classics.
Almost forgot Pecos River Brass (PRB). Great Santa Fe reefers, stock cars and gons and some of the very few modern era (along with Overland) modern brass cars. Pricey stuff when you can find it but nice quality.
Also nice are The Car Works PRR flat cars and container cars, cabins and trolleys. Also niccely detailed quality stuff.
Anything else we forgot?
Rob
Glad you remembered PRB's Santa Fe's reefers - they model the very unusual ATSF door and ice hatch details. I especially like the "wrong way" hatch covers that open to the center of the car.
Here are a few more:
Steve Grabowski custom built (in the US) PRR N5c cabin cars and X29 box cars. One of his X29's is listed on eBay today. They were very nicely built.
Sunset imported PRR TM8 tank cars and N5 cabin cars in the 1980's. More recently under the 3rd Rail brand Sunset imported war emergency and B&O round roof box cars, B&O round roof covered hoppers, a chlorine cylinder flat car, an offset side twin hopper, and several cabeese. With the exception of the cabin cars I find the 3rd Rail freight cars to be on the "cluncky" side. The absence of one of the prominent ribs on the B&O round roof box car goes down as one of the classic freight car model screw ups. If you want a brass B&O round roof box car go for Overland's or Hallmark's. From a value perspective I prefer Weaver's plastic model.
Westside imported models of a 4 truck flat car and a heavy 200T wreck crane.
And on the very bottom of my brass quality and accuracy rating list, the cars (and a few locomotives) imported in the 1950's by International Model Products.
I'd bet there are a couple we've still overlooked.
Ed Rappe
Since you met Rich Yoder this past Strasburg show we can say his cars are top notch. ACF watermelon cars should be delivering soon and Mather cars are next up.
Norm Buckhart's Protocraft cars are also top notch, being built by Boo Rim who is one of the premier builders.
Kohs cars are astronomically priced but almost museum quality. Hard to find and high priced but if you find a fave go for it!
Pacific Limited cars, whicn were imported by the late Pat O'Boyle, also command premium prices. Some are very unique cars and they are generally very accurate (tho I don't think the much-revered 1932 ARA car is his best effort). His "older" cars, the single and double sheathed cars are fantastic cars but they were only done in "as built" form which limits their use. All in all some very desirable models and VERY well researched.
Steve Grabowski's Keystone Model Works PRR gondola and hopper cars are also awesome cars and usually fetch a premium price. He has some models in stock yet.
The "older" imports are Precision Scale. Some are really good and some are older and lesser quality but still unique. Pretty much variety in price depending on the car and the rarity/demand. PSC did LOTS Of cars over the years.
Other smaller imports are the HobbyHill brass ACF wood reefer and two types of tank cars. A tad more less often seen and sometimes premium priced. The WA Drake tank cars are also nice models and they command a premium when seen. And Division Point imported cabeese and SP/UP GS gondolas.
Let's see, we also have some other miscellaneous cars that are seen occasionally such as the Hallmark/I&I B&O wagontop hoppers, Hallmark PRR gondolas or some of the Overland models. Nice models that are occasionally seeen.
The oldest "vintage" commonly seen are Max Gray cars. Less details than the more modern cars and often bargain prices but very sturdy construction.
Enough info for a quick start?
Rule 292's overview hits the mark. I'd add US Hobbies in with Max Gray as they were done by the same builder. NJ Custom Brass and Alco Models also did a few cars I'd put in the same class as PSC. For PRR cabin cars add Weaver's N5c and the Nd, Nda from Car Works.
We should also add to the list the custom built (in the US) Bob Parri brass cars.
Ed Rappe
Rob
Glad you remembered PRB's Santa Fe's reefers - they model the very unusual ATSF door and ice hatch details. I especially like the "wrong way" hatch covers that open to the center of the car.
Here are a few more:
Steve Grabowski custom built (in the US) PRR N5c cabin cars and X29 box cars. One of his X29's is listed on eBay today. They were very nicely built.
Sunset imported PRR TM8 tank cars and N5 cabin cars in the 1980's. More recently under the 3rd Rail brand Sunset imported war emergency and B&O round roof box cars, B&O round roof covered hoppers, a chlorine cylinder flat car, an offset side twin hopper, and several cabeese. With the exception of the cabin cars I find the 3rd Rail freight cars to be on the "cluncky" side. The absence of one of the prominent ribs on the B&O round roof box car goes down as one of the classic freight car model screw ups. If you want a brass B&O round roof box car go for Overland's or Hallmark's. From a value perspective I prefer Weaver's plastic model.
Westside imported models of a 4 truck flat car and a heavy 200T wreck crane.
And on the very bottom of my brass quality and accuracy rating list, the cars (and a few locomotives) imported in the 1950's by International Model Products.
I'd bet there are a couple we've still overlooked.
Ed Rappe
Yep, forgot about the Westside F-200 flat car, a gorgeous and often-low priced model albeit with "Bettendorf double truck" lettering on the sideframes.
I forgot the New Jersey Custom Brass "NJ Custom Trash" cars. Unfortunately, as low quality as they are, they are the only PRR X31/X31b and Milwaukee Road Horizontal Rib Side box cars available in brass.
Also noteworthy are any of the On3 UTLX "Gramps" tank cars such as PFM. Sweeties and relatively easy to make into standard gauge cars. I'm blessed to have one from the collection of the late Stan Windrim of "Whew, I needed a few scotches on the rocks after trying to assemble the plastic springs into those San Juan trucks" fame. 
Car & Locomotive Shop: the finest Trainmasters and RS-11/12 ever made!
Berlyn Locomotive Works 20 ton gantry crane [a working model!]
Oriental Limited: NW-2, SW-1,7/8 & 9 diesels and a smattering of freight cars.
their diesels are very nice models with good drives. I have all of those listed and am pleased
NJ Custom Brass Rib side boxcars [not perhaps the best brass model, but an interesting sight on the layout]
I'm enjoying the education. I truly appreciate those taking the time to post.
Erick
Talking passengers - you da man! Recommend you kick off a fresh thread.
Ed Rappe
Talking passengers - you da man! Recommend you kick off a fresh thread.
Excellent idea, for me there is a lot to learn. O scale passenger cars over the years have immense refinements. Trucks, modeling accuracy, interiors, have all changed. Erik has posted pictures in the past of passenger equipment of which I had never seen.
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One of the significant things I'm learning is what to expect when buying older rolling stock. It's a huge education to someone that has not spent a lot of time in scale.
I need to go to meets, but it's very hard for me.
Outstanding, most appreciated and huge Thank You guys! This is a great education!!
I had started buying brass O in the 90's as more of a collector with no designes on running and purchased a few of the PRB cars. At the prices of $300+ per car I may have got 1 a year. They were special in that the fineness of the detail work was a hit over any plastic at that time or even now. But they sit boxed in a closet never to be run now that Atlas entered the market with very presentable cars at a far cheaper price range. I may get an itch to sell the three I have as they are like jewelery sitting in the jewel box just waiting to look good making an appearence. It is like a hoarder and just knowing one has the product is fulfilling. I have collect more big UP engines in brass than I have in brass cars.That is funny in a way as one would think one engine and many cars. Guess I should have done an engine facility to diplay all of them .
Phil
Phil
Phil,
email me with what you might want to sell...
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