Looking for O scale Brass?

Worth a look.  Sure glad I completed my collection before the price increase.

Yeah, brass prices have definitely been on the rise the past few years and this web site has some of the highest prices I've seen in some time. $700 for a KOH's hopper certainly seems excessive to me but we all have our weaknesses. Brass prices seem to parallel the economy and the stock market. Brass values rose through the 90's until around 2000 or '01 and then took a big dive (partially due to eBay). They increased again slowly until about '08 when prices took a dive and they have been climbing steadily since then. The only exception are models that are very unique or produced in low numbers or were very expensive when imported. Also, models that will never be produced again in either brass or plastic like some of the OMI brass structures.

Butch

All around I thought the prices are fair for what they are - there are some great high end models that don't come up for sale very often . Pretty amazing to see so many Kohs , C+LS , Yoder , PSC and OMI models come up at one time - kinda makes your head spin ! I think there is still more to come . I wonder what the situation was that brought them to market - estate or just getting out of the hobby ? Maybe it's the time of year with guys(and gals ) not spending as much time with the hobby , but I've been surprised some of those Kohs and C+LS steamers didn't fly off the shelves .

It's interesting to see a huge O scale collection end up with Dan as I usually think of him mostly for HO , but as you say I look there all the time myself . Given that some of the models have at least some run time and the quantity of weathered rolling stock I'd think there was a layout to go with all this stuff - whether it all got used or not is another question . Must have been a good sized layout .

          Bryan

I don't want this to come across the wrong way, but my plan is to wait about another 5 to 10 years before starting to collect brass. I think we are seeing the last spike in prices before a major decline. As we know many O scale modelers are getting up in age. Once those estate collections are back in the market I think prices will go down. There aren't a whole lot of modelers my age (39) in O scale. Most of the 'younger' O scale modelers I know are in Proto 48. I think that all spells an increasing amount of product and decreasing number of modelers to purchase it. Just my opinion of course.

The unfortunate downside to this is that the 5' O scale niche of the hobby may just fade away as well. We'll see. I'm focusing on Atlas, MTH, Sunset right now. Perhaps I will wind up converting everything to Proto 48 at some point. Time will tell all.

I think it could go either way in a general sense , but the really high end Kohs , C+LS (defunct and seeing prices rise all the time ) , and Key models will probably always have a strong following . Having collected brass since 1974 in HO, Sn3 , and O the only declines I've seen have been on models that clearly weren't great to begin with and got supplanted by better later run versions . One thing that does cross my mind is what will the demand be for steam locos? I'm too young to have seen it and don't buy much steam anymore and the further removed we get time wise younger guys may have no interest in them . We even have Overland producing only modern prototype diesels which I have no interest in .

          Bryan

Man, if you want the full drag of those Rich Yoder N&W 3-bays get ready to shell out 9K 

To be honest , while I currently own no steam engines in any scale I do have one of the Key SP cab forwards on order with Roger . It's a big purchase , but after seeing the pilot model I couldn't resist . I hope there is always a crop of guys that appreciate fine models just for arts sake . I collect 1/24 scale brass construction models by CCM for the same reason .

          Bryan

There are some incredibly (expensive) stellar models coming out from both KEY and KOH's in the future. KOH's has just posted a new video on their website of the soon to be delivered Challenger that is very impressive.  The drive is totally different than anything they've done and we'll have to see how it holds up, but it sure gives smooth, slow performance.  I love the service lights under the running boards.

Butch

Pretty cool video on Kohs' site. One thing I did notice in the two video clips of the "finished" model was, the front engine has the power reverse gear on center, while the rear engine is down in forward position. Wonder if anybody noticed THAT over there?

I sure hope so HW. it's been a long 3+ year wait for this loco and I'd like to have a correct model when all the smoke clears.

Good eye!

Butch

Thanks. After some 15 or 16 years with UP #3985, I tend to notice little things like that.

Speaking of brass what happened to Overlands latest run of the SD70 ACes, they posted some painted shell pics in early spring but no requests for more payment since, is this slow process payback from Ajin? Just checked out the Kohs website it appears they will deliver soon and at 5500 each this appears to be a bargain compared to the Key cab forward at 7500 ? in another year or 2 although it does appear Key has squeezed a few more details into their model. At 100 models[Kohs stated #] some are still for sale[ you can read into that anything you want JMHO]

There are wealthy folks out there.  I just taxied by a lineup of corporate jets that, a few years ago, would have been remarkable.  I am delighted that so many folks have made it so big.  It will be another lifetime before I can play in those sand boxes - or even these, with four thousand dollar model trains.

At $7500 a pop and my level of income, I don't have to ponder the subject very long. 10K in another year or two the way things are going. What I read into the bold type is that the market is small, even at that price.

Simon

Hi Bob,  Yeah,the $5000, $8000 models are very nice but also very limited prototypes.  usual Big Boy, Challenger, NYC Hudson and maybe an SP, although Sofue did some others.  Sofue not producing anymore.

Mr. Sofue passed away several years back. True loss of a very talented artist. His models still command phenomenal money on the secondary market and are most likely worth it.  I've only seen them in magazines.

Butch

I can attest to the level of quality and detail in CLS engines; I would also add Rich Yoder's work to the level of high end brass.   His stock cars are suberb, I love his S-12's and the recent ATSF boxcars are top notch.

The unfortunate downside to this is that the 5' O scale niche of the hobby may just fade away as well. We'll see. I'm focusing on Atlas, MTH, Sunset right now.

I don't know about that since the slow rising of MTH's Proto 3/2 Diesels are for 5' guage and not proto-48. conversion to Proto-48 maybe too much work for the masses at this time.

Maybe true, but from what I have been told the majority of the MTH Scale Wheel diesels are actually going to 3RS modelers. I have no facts, but that's what I have been told by a few dealers. I don't mind 5' gauge too much, but I really do wonder if it will remain around once the bulk of modelers aren't around anymore. I don't see a whole lot of new blood in 5'. It seems to me that P48 seems to be drawing more new blood. At least that's what I have seen in my little corner of the world. I hope you are correct.

Bryan,

I think you've had a positive effect on the number of listing on this site.  Prior to your post they average 10-15 O scale items. Since your post its steadily climbed and today has over 90 O scale brass items. You might want to contact them and ask for a commission.

Butch

Hey Butch ,

          I wish !! It's really neat to see so much quality brass listed at one time - must have been a **** of a collection !

          Bryan

Overlands latest newsletter states the incoming SD70ACes will be the last O scale brass they will import they are also cancelling all N guage brass apparently their Korean builder has scaled way back on his employees and build times have greatly increased[ fewer models for bigger bucks]. A number of the SD70ACes are for sale from Overland, the models have still not left the builder, if interested a 500.00 deposit[non refundable is required] balance due when the "builder" is ready to ship.

Hmmm there were a few C&LS RS's and TM's at the National today. 

Not much else in the way of brass... Not much else in the way of anything. 

Not suprising a number of people I know were not going, these nationals can be hit or miss in terms of attendance and tableholders, although any meet is a good one if you can buy something you are looking for or sell items you want to get rid of.

There is the undisputed truth!

Simon

A very good reason for not going to a meet is that not enough people go there. If one were to put that in an equation, the answer would be zero pretty quick.

I brought that up once and I was curtly told "my family knows what my stuff is worth."  As if the saturation of the market combined with a sharp decline in consumers won't change the market value.   In any case, I look forward to battling you for all these wonderful old gents' stuff.  

A good reason not to go is the economics of the trip, a lot of factors enter into the success of these nationals [location,potential dealers/ tableholders, time of year etc.]. The O scale meets have seen a slow decline in recent years [Atlas choose not to represent itself at this one,perhaps due to there annual shutdown at this time] I would personaly like to attend all the O scale meets, it is just not an economic reality for me or a lot of other O scalers I suspect.

Hi Bar

I think you mention a good point; for me traveling from the NW to the east coast I will incur about $1000 in costs (hotel, food, air etc).    It is cheaper to have a buddy buy with that $1000....    yes, I miss the "experience", but practicality has won out so far...

Of course.  I do not go because I do not have the bucks or the desire.  Not going because nobody else goes is a different reason, and is self- fulfilling.

Unless you are an insider (one of the organizers), you have no way of knowing who/how many will attend until you actually go, and even for those knowing registration numbers, I'm sure there are "walk in" attendees at most events..........or is your middle name Karnak????

Simon

FYI an "insider" told me the March Meet this year was better than ever in attendance and I can believe it. Try it, you`ll like it.  We are not dead yet.

Chicago in the last decade has been the best attended and most table holders of all the O scale meets, 2008 was the last year Atlas was there with the late Jim Weaver, we took Amtrack from Albany out in 08 @ 09 spent several days railfaning and visiting home layouts some of my friends were regulars there every year but we are all getting older and priorities are changing.

How big of a pain was it to get from the train station to the meet?

Simon

Just checked through Dan's "O" brass list. I could be wrong, but I am guessing most of what is left will be a while selling unless prices are reduced.

Simon

Actually it was easy you just crossed the street to the transportation center from the Amtrack station and took the local train to the Arlingtin Hts station [senior rates if eligible] the hotel shuttle picked you , you could almost see the hotel from the station. we rented a car for a few days to hit various layout tours resturants West Chicago and Rochelle[great spot highly recommended] First year out we were bussed from Albany to Buffalo due to propane tank car explosion on main line[wreckage was still smoldering on way back]great trips. Last 2 years meet has been held in new location south of downtown Amtrack but still close to local station. I don't know if that hotel provides shuttle service to station. The New England locations for the Nationals simply do not draw that many tableholders or attendees I was at the Marlboro Ma meet in the early 2000s.