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Brass Model Trains

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Collecting and Running Brass Model Trains

Collecting brass model trains is a great way to get involved in model railroading whether or not you have a layout. Collecting brass trains is more affordable than ever and you can find great deals on eBay and various internet forums. If you've never considered collecting or running them before because of the cost, now is the time to start. Brass model trains are the most beautiful, accurate, and highly detailed models you'll find anywhere. Brass models are available in all popular model railroad scales, but the most affordable way to get started collecting is with HO scale. If you keep your eyes open you can find some really great deals. Collecting brass trains is a fun and rewarding hobby, and you owe it to yourself to give it a try.

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Brass Trains

Check out the detailing on these brass model trains...

Brass all the way part 1
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All About Brass

Learning about brass trains...

These books are out of print but sometimes you can find them from resellers at Amazon or elsewhere. If you're into collecting or running brass model trains, any of these books would make a great addition to your model railroading library.
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N Scale Brass

Brass model trains in N Scale...

N Scale brass model trains aren't as popular as brass models in other scales, but if you're patient you can find some pretty cool N Scale brass locomotives. I'm not too familiar with N Scale but the few brass pieces I've looked at have seemed to be very good quality. Prices on N Scale brass are similar to HO Scale brass.

To tell the truth, I kind of don't see the point of N Scale brass trains - the models are so small that the detailing is hard to see - for me at least. You can find some prototypes in brass that haven't been produced as plastic Ready to Run (RTR) models though, so it can be worth the money. Also, it is very cool that people can put such exquisite detailing into such a small model...

N Scale Brass Locomotives

N Scale brass for sale on eBay...

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Santa Fe 2-6-2 Brass Locomotive (HO Scale) 

HO Scale Brass

Brass trains in HO Scale...

HO Scale brass model trains are the best way to start collecting or running brass. Right now you can find really good deals on HO Scale brass locomotives. Recently I bought a custom painted AT&SF 2-6-2 Prairie on eBay for only $225 - about the price of a quality plastic RTR locomotive. You won't always find deals like this but they're a lot more common than you'd think.

If you like steam locomotives, HO Scale brass offers incredible detail and gives you a much broader selection of prototypes than RTR steam locomotives. HO Scale brass diesel locomotives OTOH don't have much to offer over the better quality RTR offerings, so you might as well go with RTR if you're into diesels. If you like steam though, it's more affordable than ever to get started collecting HO Scale brass trains.

HO Scale Brass Locomotives

HO Scale brass for sale on eBay...

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Milwaukee Road Brass Caboose (S Scale) 

S Scale Brass

Brass models in S Scale...

S Scale trains aren't as popular as model trains in other scales, but there is a surprisingly good selection of S Scale brass locomotives, especially if you model the Southern Pacific Railroad. This is due to a single company - River Raisin Models. River Raisin imports very high quality brass locomotives built by Boo Rim Precision in Korea. If you've never heard of Boo Rim, they are about the finest maker of brass locomotives in the world - and that's not hype. I have a couple of River Raisin steam locomotives and the quality and detailing are incredible. They are produced in limited quantities so you don't see them show up on eBay very often. Other companies selling S Scale brass locomotives are Sunset Models and P-B-L (which only does narrow gauge). If you're looking for S Scale Brass check them out...

S Scale Brass Manufacturers / Importers

Brass trains in the Ideal Scale...

River Raisin Models
River Raisin imports very high quality brass locomotives in S Scale. Dan, the owner, is very friendly and provides the S Scale community a huge service. If you're into S Scale you should really check out his web site.
Sunset Models
Sunset Models occasionally produces S Scale brass locomotives. They aren't quite as nice as the River Raisin locomotives, but they are quite a bit less expensive. Definitely worth checking out.
P-B-L
P-B-L imports very high quality brass locomotives in Sn3 (S Scale 3' narrow gauge) built by Boo Rim Precision. They are mainly focused on Colorado prototypes but a few years back they did a limited run of Southern Pacific Narrow Gauge locomotives that occasionally show up on eBay. If you've ever thought about getting into narrow gauge modeling you should check out their site.

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Got a question or comment about brass trains?

  • Cumberland Mar 27, 2012 @ 5:35 pm | delete
    I don't know much about model RR, but I must admit to being fascinated by the idea of brass trains. Thanks for the new, to me, information.
  • CruiseReady Mar 5, 2012 @ 7:28 am | delete
    I can't recall ever seeing a brass model train. (Maybe I did and just didn't know, because it had been painted) They certainly look wonderfull, though!
  • Pangionedevelopers Jan 29, 2012 @ 8:54 am | delete
    congrats, great info
  • SereneSea May 6, 2011 @ 12:21 am | delete
    Collecting brass trains is an interesting hobby, the old trains really look cute in brass.
  • goode006 Apr 1, 2011 @ 9:24 pm | delete
    Brass trains are great and have so much detail on them.
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Meet the Lensmaster

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glockr

I love collecting brass model trains because of the quality. Brass trains are more durable than plastic RTR trains, last a lot longer, and hold their value... more »

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