Got my first brass engine today off ebay.
It's a 1968 4-8-4 c&o built by olympia from japan. My god- what a difference from the plastic engines (rivarossi) I have. It is so much better. I am absolutely amazed at the craftsmanship on this thing and that it was essentially soldered from scratch.
Evidently, this brand of engine doesn't go for much money as some of the other brass makers because it isn't as dimensionally accurate, or as smooth running other makers, but this one is still a huge step up from what I was used to.
I added some weight and it comes in at around two pounds, and can pull a 14 car consist with ease, just like the real 4-8-4 greenbriers. Before, I would have to double head two engines to get the same result.
