Model Railroading > Ebay

Occasionally I wander over to ebay and check out HO Steam.
I wasn't aware that every brass steam locomotive was handbuilt.
They are almost always "Rare".
Videos to prove that they run seem to be mostly 300mph forward-300mph reverse with sudden stop at each end of the 3' run.
Pro-painted applies to any painted model not painted at the buider.
Most "painted" models rarely show the wheel rims also painted.
Models with missing parts, chipped paint and freelace lettering are worth much more for some reason.
I haven't had my coffee yet today and after scanning ebay for "bargains" I realized that only basket cases are worth a prime pirice. Because they are "rare".
Wonder what all those gems actually sold for if at all.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

I haven't checked Ebay out lately but I can speak from my own experience.  I bought 3 Santa Fe steam engines about 20 years ago.  They were originally imported from Japan by Pacific Fast Mail.  I ran them on DC for a while and then decided to get modern and converted them all to being compatible with DCC.  First I had to get rid of the original DC "open frame" motors.  They were powerful, but pulled far too much current for DCC.  I found some Northwest Shortline can motors that fit the space and also had plenty of power.  I installed them and converted to DCC.  I didn't do anything fancy on the power pickup........they still pick up power from the left side of the tender and the right side of the engine.  The motors had to be insulated from the frame.  I put Soundtraxx Tsunami 2 DCC sound decoders in all three and found the correct Santa Fe whistle sounds for them.  The decoders went into the tenders, requiring a few mods to the tenders for the speakers.  As far as I'm concerned, these 65-year-old models look as good and run as well as any 2025 locomotive but it took a lot of work.  I have no clue what I could sell them for but they all cost me under $200 each (used) and required a lot of work and more money to bring up to today's standards.  So I guess if I was starting today, I would probably buy plastic locos ready to run.

Frisco1522 Wrote:
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> I wasn't aware that every brass steam locomotive was handbuilt.

Aren't they? They're not injection molded or die cast. 

Wow.   I have been shopping on ebay for over 15 years.   I also sell.    Many sellers do not know what they have and only think it is valuable and stick crazy prices on the item.   You just ignore that and move on.   If you wait you will get great deals on brass steam on ebay.   In fact most of my brass steam, and all but three of my steam locos are brass out of over a 100.   As for hand built and rare well they are all hand built and they are all rare, they just are not all valuable.   Then do not buy from a seller with say less than a score of 100 and 100% positive.   Do not buy from sellers that do not post clear good pictures.    Then if you have a problem before buying or bidding please ask a question, us 100% positive sellers gaurd that score with our lives and are more than happy to respond.    

Richard.

I do not like Ebay's current listing page.  they never let you know an item was sold and for how much.  I was a top bidder and the page was removed without  me being told for how much and to who.  That occured on about 5 occasions recently ,  In addition you rarely can get a contact with the seller advising of the condition and running ability of the model. so I say to hell with them.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/26/25 10:20 by tomstp.

Lots of seller think, regardless of the condition, think brass models are their ticket to an early retirement. Some brass dealers ask ridiculous prices for older brass, with turnings instead of castings. That, and the "Brown Book'", created inflated prices. On EBay you can see the same model selling for a wide range of prices.

Yes, all brass engines are handbuilt. I was being sarcastic. 
I got into HO brass back in the mid 60s. I've seen the quality improve over the years, but some of the stuff from back then was built like a tank.  PFM, WSM, Max Gray, Balboa and some others from Japan.
Another annoyance: There are no basket cases any more. Even those which are truly junkers are priced way above their worth.  One seller a few years ago much have hit the mother lode of old beat up Tetsudo (or as I called them Turdsudo) most times missing stuff, pure junkbox class for outrageous prices.
Back in the late 60s there was a local guy here who would buy a new engine, try to modify it and make a mess out of it. He would get frustrated and sell it. I remember buying a PFM ATSF 2-8-0 from him for $10. He had tried to put a new sand dome on it and the boiler and bottom dome radius didn't match so he put the dome on and whacked it with a hammer to make it nestle down on the boiler.
 

Frisco1522 Wrote:
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> Wonder what all those gems actually sold for if at
> all.                             

Click the box on the left (scroll way down) that filters certain criteria. Under "Show Only", choose "sold items" and/or "completed items"

eBay is the site that SO many just "LOVE TO HATE."  That said, if you are looking for something difficult to find, there is no place or service that compares.  As a seller, if I want something to actually SELL, there is no place like eBay.  The rules and fees can be challenging.  Customer service--if you can actually speak with a living human being--will most likely be someone on the other side of the world.  BUT, eBay WORKS!  Learn the rules and be cautious.  If buying, look for sellers with MANY sales--like in the THOUSANDS--who have 100% positive feedback and you will be well taken care of.  

Compare Ebay prices to brasstrains.com prices and you will see there are bargins to be found on E-bay. But there are real clunkers too. You need to look close and ask for more photos if needed. I saw a brass locomotive with a missing pilot wheels and missing other parts, and generally beat up listed as great condition and a price higher than even a excellent condition model should have.

Ted Curphey
Ontario, OR