Railroad modellers belong to a very choosey society, they want and demand the very best looking models and so long as it is as good in the technical department as the best they will buy it. So there we have it, technology has moved on a pace and the best models now have to look the best also.
Brass is the stand-out material for Model Trains because its use has transformed the detail that can be displayed in a very confined area of detail in a molding. The manufacturers have refined brass molding to an art form giving the final result a sharp detailed finish that makes even the modern rather smooth, bland locomotive stand out because the finest of detail is now visible.
Obviously the old steam models are the clear favorites to get the Brass treatment simply because of the intricate detail required, but all genres of model trains now benefit from the use of Brass. One of the reasons that brass is so easy to mould into the intricate shapes of an old steam locomotive is that the viscosity and rheology (flow-ability) when molten is almost as thin as milk. This means the molders art has no boundaries. But it does call on all their skill because they have to make the perfect mould in the first place.
So how does this help us modellers? The knowledge that we are able to have on our layout a model train that is so good in both looks and performance that we are certain to improve the rest of our layout to match the quality of the brass components. Yes, components. Brass does not stop with the model train, it goes on to complex structures such as bridges, old buildings, cars, people, trees and a whole lot more.
Coming back to the train, without exception the manufacturers put high specification components to work. The electric motors are the best (some are bought in) with double flywheels for smoothness. Most are fitted with a brake of one type or another, if the Model train is steam driven there will be smoke from the stack. Lights will be fitted as will digital control functions and realistic sound. Clearly because of the visual quality that brass provided the manufacturers have ensured the rest of the locomotive is equal to the task of being the best.
To sum up, brass models for a railroad layout are as good as the very best plus aesthetics that cannot be matched. Does that make them the very best? Possibly but only in the view of many if they can be afforded, they are expensive.
For more great information on Brass model trains and other model railroading information, go on over to my website at http://www.bestmodeltrainguide.com. You will be glad you did.
For many years a senior manager in the corporate business world Geoff Retired early and started marketing on the Internet. He soon found that he could combine marketing with 20 odd years of railroad modelling. He found that while writing a model railroading book he found better one already out there so he reviews them on his website too.
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