Who says PRR steam wont sell

[towl1996]

Just another crazy auction...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BRASS-N-Samhongsa-Oriental-PRR-Pennsylvania-Streamlined-S-1-6-4-4-6-F-P-Mint-/170847971504?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item27c75528b0. 

[ai5629]

I have one of these.  My father bought it years ago.  I hope when I decide to sell it, it brings me as good of a return as that on.

Jeff

[Bsklarski]

My favorite PRR steam loco. I wont buy it as somebody will announce one in plastic a week after I buy it. Always happens with plastic models for me lol

[pnolan48]

Might this be a reflection that these kind of brass locos may never be manufactured again?

I've talked to two people who used to commission limited runs of brass models--not trains, but ships (some with resin hulls, others wood). While both are getting up in their sixties, and don't want to take on new projects, they said that they cannot make the finances work--new models would cost at least three times what they sold for in the 90s, and perhaps more.

I suspect the prices for these kind of steam locos (those not produced in plastic) will continue to rise, along with diesels like the Baldwin Centipedes.

[spookshow]

I've been tracking the prices of brass locomotives on eBay for years (so I have some idea what to bid when one that I need shows up), and for whatever reason, PRR brass in particular has been going through the roof for the past couple of years. I used to place my bids on the lower end of the price spectrum in hopes of getting a good deal, but that was getting me nowhere. So, I started placing my bids at the high end of the spectrum - and still no luck. Lately, I've been making bids that actually set new highwater marks and I still get outbid.

I don't know what sorts of conclusions one can draw from any of this, though. These models were produced in very limited numbers and hardly ever show up on eBay, so for all I know, the current wave of demand is simply due to the actions of a small cabal of wealthy PRR modelers/collectors. Fortunately for me, I was able to acquire one of those S-1's (for review purposes) a few years ago, so I don't need to wade into the frenzy on this one. $2K for a model that cost $345 new is really pushing the boundries of sanity 

Cheers,
-Mark

[Bob Bufkin]

Yes those prices are way high.  I was lucky enough a few years back to pick up a brass PRR M1 at a local hobby shop (now since closed.  The same engine on ebay was at least 4 to 5 times the price I paid. 

Question is, how well would a good ready to run plastic model sell.  I would pick up at least 3 K4s, a couple M1s (come on BWL) and a half dozen of any H class.  Would go all steam if I had them.

[Pennsy]

Is anyone actualy running these engines or are they just collecting? The crazy thing about these prices are that many of the brass engines don't run that well. And are hard to convert to DCC.

So would decently priced plastic Pennsy steam sell? If collectors are willing to pay these kind of prices for hanger queens. Then I think there are a lot of us runners just waiting for good running Pennsy steamers.

Jim Donaldson
SP4 U.S. Army Cavalry Scout

[Bob Bufkin]

I've got 3 PRR brass steamers.  All are DCC.  The Il even has sound.  The other 2 were converted to DCC by Lee.  They do have their problems on pickup and someday I'll see if tender pickup will help any. 

[draskouasshat]

Wow, a whole 9 bids on something thats actually rare. What about the 8500hp turbines that arent rare that go for that price? This honestly says nothing. Yeah PRR steam would sell in plastic but you guys dont understand that the mfg doesnt want to sell 300 models, they want to sell 10 or more times that. Theres a reason they dont make unknown, non mainstream steam and theres a reason they make things like the daylight and possibly an FEF.

[robert3985]

Selling and bidding on eBay is weird.  Last year, I saw an Athearn Big Boy (4019) with smoke lifters getting up there in the bidding war....about $800 bucks.  I just happened to have one just like it that had only been test run, and decided I'd put it up on eBay for a fixed price.  I took some excellent photos of it, and posted it for $850...and it sold in three hours!

Interestingly, the one that was being bid on still sold for over $1,200.  This was a plastic, Athearn Big Boy (with MRC decoder)!

Sometimes, the universe just conspires to smile upon you!

Cheers!
Bob Gilmore

[SkipGear]

As Mark mentioned, it is not specific to PRR loco's. Brass loco's in general, at least the ones that haven't been devalued by a plastic version being offered (AC-12) are all up right now. A couple years ago, I could have bought a Key B&O Cincinnatian loco for under $300 and the matching passenger set for $500. The last loco that went eclipsed $800 and the car set over $1200. I have a Key H-8 Allegheny that has, at least according to auction prices, tripled in value in 5 years or so.

I think some have realized that N scale brass steam models are a thing of the past and who knows if they will be seen again new. They have decided to get them while they can. Loco's like the S-1 in this topic are not for everybody. The loco will only run a layout with very large radius curves. It is more of a collectors piece, a beautiful piece of art, which it very much is. I doubt the winner is actually buying it to run.

[talltales]

it would be a shame if the winner didn't run it. i have one and after the  usual brass loco tune up,is a good runner. the motor in it is pretty large by N scale standards,almost HO size.

[towl1996]

There are a couple of youtube videos of an S1 in action. Here's one

Looks so cool pulling the Kato BL. The video needs to be longer.

I get the "art" and collector angle, but there is no way one is going to get $2 K back from this "investment". I certainly don't know, but I don't think it's just brass collectors bidding it this high, it has to be an SPF going after Pennsy steam. 

[mike_lawyer]

There is a fair amount of demand for Pennsy steam in N-scale.  Heck, we can't even get a K4, and Bachmann has been making one on their Spectrum line for 20 plus years.

I really wish BLW would make some of their HO models in N-scale. 

[pnolan48]

There is a fair amount of demand for Pennsy steam in N-scale.  Heck, we can't even get a K4, and Bachmann has been making one on their Spectrum line for 20 plus years.

I really wish BLW would make some of their HO models in N-scale.

Umm, Bachmann has never made an N scale K4.

Umm, who is BLW, outside of Brooklyn Locomotive Works, a very good N scale vendor?