This post on Brass HO Trains looks at why the Brass HO Trains are preferred over other trains. Earlier the garden railroads were more popular and people had them in the yard. Many have also dedicated the whole of the attics, basements or rooms for the perusal of their hobby of collecting model trains of the bigger scales like O and smaller ones like Brass HO trains. However, using bigger models took up a lot of space and people wanted more than a simple oval or a round track. The collectors of the model trains wanted to give a realistic look and add the scenery and landscaping from their imagination.

Thus, HO model trains gained popularity as the size was good enough to provide detailing and big enough for handling. They use standard gauge train tracks that are easily available with many of the hobby shops, retailers and also on the internet. HO basically stands for Half-O, which means that it is half the size of the O scale model. The model HO trains are durable, sturdy and offer a good balance of the detail of the bigger models, occupying lesser space, and also costs less than the bigger ones.

When HO trains were first introduced in 1930s, people found it too small and did not overtake the popularity of the O scale trains until the 1950s. Today more than 65% of the hobbyists prefer this scale. Once the hobbyists found the size to be comfortable in all aspects, more and more people started buying, pressurizing the manufacturers to make them easily available. The manufacturers have now come up with trains, tracks and railroad accessories in all the possible sizes making it possible for a wide variety of sizes and shape of layouts available.

The Brass HO trains is preferred among other materials used because of the rich look and the enduring quality. Unpainted and painted versions of the HO brass model trains are now available and one can also get custom painted ones. Some models are given a coat of rust and mud painting to give a look of wear and tear. With model trains, one can go to any extent of giving life to one’s imagination.

Brass HO Trains

In this post on Brass HO Trains we look at Power Supplies for Model Trains. There are various types of control system and power supplies for the model trains. Many of the manufacturers like Atlas, Bachmann, Kato USA Inc, Marklin, MRC are the leaders in the control systems. Most of the power packs are specific to the scales, but some may be used for more than a single scale model train. Control and power units for Brass HO trains are manufactured by companies like Model Power, Digitrax, MRC, etc.

The Model Power has two main models of the power packs for HO model trains. Electro is a fully filtered Micro controlled regulation pack. It has useful features like circuit breaker protection, Overload indicator light, Separate on/off switch, Super low speed performance and smoothness, no-screw terminals, Double insulated electric approved casing, etc. This model is powered to operate five trains at once and is compatible in AC and DC tracks. The second one is the Deluxe power pack that suits all trains and racer car sets. The unit is encased in a sturdy black plastic box and has forward and reverse switch and is UL approved. It also has a circuit breaker protection.

The Unitrack power pack from Kato USA Inc is used for the Kato Unitrack and locomotives. The unit can be used to control direction and speed, and has a circuit breaker with reset button and turnout control switch with swap-on socket. Products from MRC have features like pressure breaks, proportional tracking control, and monitoring of feedback from the layout to detect sudden changes in loads. One of the products, Control master, is a walkaround model that has hand held control with memory. The products give a 300 degree speed control for the Brass HO trains and other HO and N model trains.

Bachmann has come up with various control units for HO brass model trains. One such product is compatible with N, HO and On30 scales. This is used with DC operated trains and has features like plug-in wiring, power indicator light, direction control switch, and electronic circuit protection.  The model has universal track power wire for other track systems with convinient E-Z-Track track power wire. The other model, E-Z Command Power Booster is intended for indoor use and can be used for Brass HO trains, N, O or even larger scale layout. The unit is designed to run many DCC locomotives and the output voltage can be altered to suit the scale for which it is used. There are a lot of safety features like thermal overload protection, and also includes air vents and a fan. The E-Z Command DCC Controller system is a digital system that controls speed, lighting and direction of multiple locomotive in N, HO and On30 scale from any manufacturer.

MRC Tech 3 Power Command

Brass HO Trains

In this post on Brass HO Trains we look at celebrities who like model trains. As George Bernard Shaw said, “We don’t stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing.” Model cars have always been a fancy for the young and the old alike. One thing about the hobby is that the modeller can do anything with whatever he or she has in the collection and keep the number same or add more models to it. With a whole lot of suppliers and importers, the collectors can make the display a detailed version, playful or just display whatever is available. The Brass HO trains have been the most popular and expensive hobby, but the other scales like O, N, G, etc have also been given importance.

There have been a lot of people who are interested in the railroad and model trains and the list also includes the various celebrities who have been into the hobby. Actors like Yul Brynner, Whoopi Goldberg, David Hasselhoff, Mandy Patinkin, Donald Sutherland, etc have known to be passionate about the hobby. Patrick Stewart was quoted as saying he is a big-time railway buff. Joe Regalbuto, the famous actor of “Murphy Brown” had his garden railroad featured in “Garden Railways” magazine. Micheal Gross, the actor of “Family Ties” is a passionate train fan and a railway historian, photographer and modeller. He always preferred train journeys to flying. James Doohan of Star Trek was seen in a TV Guide issue working on the brake cylinder of a coach in the L.A. area railroaders club; he also had a huge collection of model trains at home. The actor of “Different Strokes” is interested in Lionel trains, and does them as realistically as possible. The famous Walt Disney has a live steam and various other models and interest in model trains.

The famous television personalities like anchors of reality shows and newscasters have also been interested in model trains. Tom Brokow had been concentrating on Brass HO trains. Roseanne Barr, Jay Leno, Sally Jesse Raphael, Tom Snyder, Arthur Godfrey, etc. have been known to have great railroad collections. Jim Scancarelli, the cartoonist of the famed “Gasoline Alley” had his photos featured in Walthers catalog.

Various musicians like Roger Miller, Johnny Cash, Phil Collins, Roger Daltrey, etc have also shown interest in the model railroading hobby. The race car drivers who were interested in the model railroad include Danny Sullivan, Richard Patrese,  and Sam Posey. Micheal Jordan, the famous basketball player is rumoured to be a model railroader. Ed Dougherty, the pro golfer is fond of Lionel models and houses his collection in  a two-storey building behind his home. Joe DiMaggio and Roy Campanella are baseball players who like to collect Lionel model trains.

Brass HO Trains

In this post on Brass HO Trains we go to South Korea! Overland models, Inc. imports fine scale brass model railroad equipment from South Korea, including Brass HO trains, N and O scale models. The company specializes in diesels, steam locomotives, cabooses and rolling stock from these scales. With over 30 years of importing, the company has captured a good range of models, both new and old. These models are built to inspire and are highly precision crafted. The company houses a library of its own with a great collection for reference and the team is involved in activities like taking on-site measurements, photos and interact with railroad and other employees.

The Brass HO trains are available in various types. Boxed Set, Caboose, steam, Diesel, Electric and passenger car. In each category of the HO model trains, one can find a lot of variety. These models are handcrafted by some of the world’s foremost manufacturers using our specifications. They are then finished at our state-of-the-art factory to represent their prototypes to perfection. The HO scale detailed parts for the HO brass model trains are also available like E-bell, Exhaust system accessories, fuel retension system, gerenal maintenance, headlight accessories, coupler lift bars, trucks and sideframe accessories, cooling coils, door handles, and so on.

Other scales available are 3 rail scales, O and N. The 3-rail locomotives and Ferdinand Megalan Presidential Car, the O scale Diesel, electric and structures and the N scale caboose, diesel, electric and passenger car are the commonly available models. The company also offers a limited repair service at the office, if the dealer is not able to do it. However, replacement parts belonging to older models are limited.

The latest models are BNSF isolated cab and KCS standard & isolated cab locomotives, which vary in terms of paint scheme and details and other features. The BHP SD70ACe Isolated unit has items such as nose and tail marker lights, additional piping on the pilot, additional roof detail applications, fire suppression system, and the addition of a 2nd row of railing for safety. The Richard ‘Toad’ Montgomery has an appliance applied to the cab roof to test clearance throughout the system prior to all modifications being made. As for the modified SD70ACe from the former BNSF series, the have features like marker lights, step wall protection, additional railing, cab window protection and fire protection system installed.

Brass HO Trains

In this post on Brass HO Trains we look at BPL Brassworks who is a purveyor of railroad models, especially Brass HO trains. Other scales available are O and N. The HO brass model trains are specifically focused on the railroads of the US. The collection and upcoming brass railroads are specifically targeted for the discriminating collector. The company gets the models from various leading importers like Division Point L.L.C, Global Outlet Corporation, Key Imports, Northwest Shortline, Precision Scale Co.Inc., Sunset/3rd Rail, The Coach Yard, etc.

Most of the American railroads are available with the company as the current stock, ready to be ordered. Some of the Model Railroad clubs are also listed in the site as a separate page, which is a link to go to the respective website. Each of these clubs consists of members who are passionate about the model trains and have collections available for display, trade and also for buying as a consignment. The various model train museums are also listed where one can find a nearest one to visit or just browse through their websites for an idea about displays and layouts. Apart from museums, various Railroad Historical organizations are also listed. These organizations have various events, exhibitions, resources and great train sets, too.

The recently added models include those from Glacier Park, Precision scale, Division Point, Overland models, The Coachyard, etc. Each of these models are listed with their specific features and possible pricing. Most of these are Brass HO trains that are diesel, steam, Rolling stock, Caboose, passenger or electric model trains from HO, O or N scale.

The ordering is usually through email or phone. Direct web-based ordering has not been arranged as the customer’s queries and issues have to be solved before sending the order. Reservations can be made for future or proposed models along with a security. The prices for the future models will be set based on the cost estimated by the importer. The company also accepts consignment items. The model will be listed in the monthly print ads or the website until it is sold.

Brass HO Trains

Armand, the founder of The Caboose, was caught with interest in the model trains when he purchased a toy train for his son, Micheal, in 1968. He got himself some of the old time steam locos and logging engines and operated his business, The Caboose, from his basement. It was then only a hobby shop specializig in model trains. The whole thing started with an aim to build its inventory of brass models. The business grew and so did the staff and before buying a building in 1982, The Caboose was launched into the market with the production of a catalogue. The Hobby Gallery was a full line hobby shop and The Caboose specialized in Brass Model trains.

The Caboose LLC is the international Mail Order & Internet Retailer specializing in Brass HO trains and also O and N. The Caboose LLC also buys the valuable collections or individual pieces from the collectors. The company provides a consignment and e-bay service for the customers. The website provides a complete Live Inventory using more specifications and also search for importers’ future projects and models.

Various new models of brass HO trains are listed in the site with details like the roadways, paint, price and the condition of the piece. Most of the consignment are available with photos. Some of the models are specific to certain railroads and others are compatible with various roads. The Blue Olympic torch 7-car set, Tender Auxiliary, UP sleeper 11 Bedroom model, car lounge, Various caboose wood sided, Various tank car double dome, Shay Steam 2 truck, B & M Jordan spreader, etc are just a few among the 95 new models currently listed. Specifications about the fuel like steam and diesel are also mentioned in the listing.

The search for future models is a specific one as there are various options listed. The categories include various model trains like Brass, plastic, KIT, die cast, etc. The search for a specific type of vehicle like locomotives, foam, tool, ultrasonic, wrap, rolling stock, sound system, etc are available. There are a huge range of roads to choose from and check whether the types of the cars and model trains are available in a specific roadways or is compatible with it. The various scales apart from HO model trains are On3, G, S, Sn3 and more. New models from various importers and dealers offer a greater range of choice for the collector to buy or trade for his collection of Brass HO trains.

Brass HO Trains

The products from Greenways includes Brass HO trains and other brass models from leading importers like Overland, Key, Coach Yard, Rail classics, MTS, Glacier Park, etc. Models required can be booked in advance or choose from the available stock. The other products include locomotives, rolling stock, parts and accessories for all scale model trains. If pictures of your train sets are sent, the company can send you the required or matching accessories or parts.

We have all scales of brass model trains including HO, O, S, LG, N and Z. Parts and accessories can be found in HO scale and multi-scale. Various accessories and parts are categorized under different topics for the ease of search and online purchase. The new products from the various companies are listed in a separate section. Another website of the same company has metal and steel cars, structures and accessories like trucks and wheelsets, freight car loads, lineside items, construction equipment and model automobiles.

The parts for HO model trains are listed separately. Parts and accessories like Sill with Steps, underbody tank assembly, boiler shell, center beam, tender signal hose, fanning house, tender ladders and numerous others are present in the stock to be ordered readily. The various track side parts like bells, frame components, pipes and fittings, stacks, steps, gears and motors, drawbars, etc are available and one can see the pictures before ordering them. On the whole, the company deals with Brass locomotives, Brass cars, Brass details, brass drivers, brass structures for Brass HO trains and other scales of Brass trains.

Brass HO Trains

Uncle Dave’s is a website that trades all kinds of Brass HO trains. Here one can find the latest additions of the company that are new productions and older models as they are authorized dealer for major importers of HO brass model trains. One can also reserve for future brass releases. Most important of all, they value your collection and buy the consignment from the collectors. Apart from HO model trains, they also stock and deal with buying and selling O, N, S and Large scales of model trains and train sets and geared logging locomotives from all scales. All models are handcrafted in brass and are fully assembled sets.

Several models are available that are finished in natural brass. The HO brass model trains are available in various models. The website contains information about the older models and also new releases. One can reserve the upcoming models online to make sure they get the train set for their collection. Apart from the train sets, many types of railroad structures, caboose, and diesel models are available. Some of the HO model trains include unpainted tank locomotive wood cab, can motor types that run on narrow gauge. The unpainted locomotive Brooklyn elevated railway, the HO steam engines are among the other engines available. Some of the coaches are also found here that are 48- or 56- seat coaches. Accessories like single track with 2 wood walkways and side rails, Brill 10 bench open trolley, Ex-troop kitchen car, ride control trucks, converted freight service with roof walk and end ladders, etc have gained popularity among people who collect the model trains.

The beautiful brass bridges for the Brass HO trains are the latest attraction. They are available in various colours such as steel gray, silver, black, oxide red and natural brass. The dimensions of the 60 foot HO scale bridge are 20 cm long, 2.8 cm wide and 2.6 cm high. The 80 foot HO scale bridge has dimensions of 28.6 cm long, 2.8 cm wide and 2.6 cm high. The Truss bridges are also available in Uncle Dave’s collection.

At Uncle Dave’s the brass collections are valued and bought by them. Cash is paid for individual pieces or any size collection. The retail price can be set by the collector and the set is displayed on the website, so that other collectors can get them, and if the model is not sold within 30 days, Uncle Dave’s buy the items.

The current new items of the Brass HO trains and other scales include Dynamometer car, Northern Pacific Fishbelly wood reefer and Gas Electric motor car, etc. Among the latest engines, the OMI union Pacific engine series. Southern Pacific class tender, Forney NY elevated and the PSC Southern Pacific series from the various manufacturers are imported and displayed.

Brass HO Trains

The Brass HO trains are available in the form of Steam locomotives and are imported by the American companies from Korea. Each importer may get products from two or more manufacturers or each manufacturer may also supply to more than one importer. On the whole, the HO brass model trains have to be chosen very carefully.

A number of factors determine the quality, as well as the price of the HO train set. While getting model HO trains for you collection, ensure that the following features are checked.

A brass locomotive contains a wire for piping purposes and small brass detail parts that are soldered on. The recent ones have better detailing than the older models. So, if you want antique pieces, the finer details may not be appealing. The Sprung drivers have to be checked for quality as they are essential for smooth running of the trains, in spite of any slight variations in the trackwork.

The gears have to be closed. Open gearing on the drive axles are a thing of the past. Although the closed geared models come at a higher price, they are better when it comes to smooth running. Painted brass trains are not as popular as the unpainted ones. Custom painted or factory painted ones can give it a realistic look, especially if the painting is done to give it a weathered look. However, individualistic preferences are different.

A can motor can make the train run if AC is converted to DC and the current is supplied. But if the collector knows to re-motor the locomotive, it is not an important determinant in selecting the model. Combinations such as open-frame motor, can motor and flywheel can do wonders for the trains to run well on the tracks. The presence of the can motor makes it easy to add a flywheel.

Of all the accessories to store, the box in which the locomotive came will increase the value of the Brass HO trains. This may be surprising to some, but the real antique train collector values the piece and believes the originality only with the box.

Model HO trains can be bought at hobby shops, model railroad flea markets or eBay. Many importers have online websites where the collectors can browse through the various models online and order them. Lionel HO trains, Bachmann HO Trains, Marklin HO Trains, Athearn HO Trains are the different types popularly available in the market.

The eBay lists various companies that supply the Brass HO trains and other model trains in all scales. Accessories, tracks, scenery, buildings and other such items are also available, in various scales such as N, O, G and others. A collector may get all his trains in the same scale or have a diverse collection of trains of various scales.

Brass HO Trains

At Brass HO Trains we know that when you spend a fortune on HO Scale Trains to satisfy your passion collecting them, it sure goes to say that they are not meant to be locked up in a box or cupboard. Each of these HO train set is an asset that you would be proud to display and show off. Building the right kind of cabinet does the trick.

The essential things that one needs to consider are proper functioning of the models, keeping them safe from dust and dirt, yet allow proper viewing when it is running. Certain locomotives and cars that are not suited to the layout may be among the collection, like the Brass O train, Lionel HO trains, Bachmann scale trains etc. These can either be separately displayed or can be accommodated in a corner in the same case. The boxes may be chosen to be mounted on walls or can be at the center or corner tables. The easiest route would be to get a display cabinet that is designed specifically for model trains.

A person can be hired to build or you can build your own cabinet. Pre-fabricated cabinets are available that can be used to display the HO train set. Cabinets with glass front doors can be ideal for proper viewing of the beautiful HO brass model trains. The display case must be according to the planned layout space and dimensions. This kind of cabinet settings can be fast, less expensive and easy to build, too.

However, if you want to start from the scratch, you would need to purchase enough wood to construct a cabinet. An open-ended box would be ideal if you want to fix a glass surface for viewing. The box has to be shallow, yet have dimensions to fit your model train pieces. The shelves can be placed at different heights that is appropriate and do not come in the way of the running trains, and can be made with wood or glass.

A relevant scenery can be set up as a backdrop for the entire surface of the box at the rear side. A mirror backing can be done to make the whole set look bigger and apparently make the collection look larger. The doors can be done with glass or clear acrylic, fixed with hinges or sliding along the beading. The tracks, buildings, trees, rocks and many other accessories can then be arranged that have match the scale of your brass HO trains or any other scale used.

Many companies have come up with display cases that can be purchased right away and fixed on to the wall at your home or office, suitable for model trains of O, S and N scales. When you go for a readily available cabinet, you get a wide choice of sizes, material and colours.

Enclosed cases are wall cabinets with sliding Plexiglas doors. Some companies offer 3-4 shelves for displaying brass O scale and S scales trains. They also come in various colour choices like natural oak, dark oak, natural pine, etc. The see-through display cases with acrylic doors, that are hinged to the cabinets are also available in the market. Doorless cabinets and, cases made of plastic are also available. Getting the right one to suit your Brass HO train collection or other model trains is entirely your choice.

Brass HO Trains