I have a model from United Scale. The box says Sierra RR. This one is built unlike the Arbour I have. Can anybody tell me about this models quality etc. I have had it in a display case for quite a while. Not sure when it was built but probably 80's or earlier.
2-6-6-2 Mallet Articulated
- Thread starter tt22cc
- Start date
A pic would help a lot. Is it brass? Builtup kits have to be really well done and of fine quality and high initial desirabilty to be of any value, most folks prefer to build their own. There is also a number of people who collect the kits themselves, with no intention of assembling them. An example would be my Fine Scale Miniatures sawmill kit. Made in the early 70s, it retailed then for $33.95. Now, it is worth $150-180---as long as I leave it in its pristine, undisturbed state. The moment I open it up and start assembly, it loses its value nearly completely---unless---I source it out to a respected custom kit-builder. Then it would retain, even increase its value somewhat.
hudsonelectric
Member
The 'United' brand name goes way back and is a Japanese builder of brass scale HO models. It more than likely was imported by PFM (Pacific Fast Mail) and dates anywhere from the late '50s to the '60s. Turn it over and you should find 'Made in Japan' if this is the case. Let us know....also how about some pix?
My quess w/o a pic is that you have a brass import. It wasn't a kit but was a fully assembled locomotive. Does the label look anything like this. If so, you have a nice loco there. Its value would be affected by the paint job. If it is factory original, it would be worth more than a custom painted one, even if that was done by a pro. It would then be based on whether it was prototypically accurate or if it was painted for a fantasy route.
Brass is the only true "investment" type model built. The loco below is a C&S 2-6-0 Mogul in HOn3. Originally released in the mid 1970s, it retailed at the time for $89.95. Now it's valued between $250-295, a nice return over the years. Do your research on this one before you sell it if that is your plan. A rough estimate on my part would put yours at between $350-750 with a lot of variables on final value.
Brass is the only true "investment" type model built. The loco below is a C&S 2-6-0 Mogul in HOn3. Originally released in the mid 1970s, it retailed at the time for $89.95. Now it's valued between $250-295, a nice return over the years. Do your research on this one before you sell it if that is your plan. A rough estimate on my part would put yours at between $350-750 with a lot of variables on final value.
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Here's what I believe you have, a PFM/United Seirra 2-6-6-2 as seen on the back cover of MR magazine in June '72 (boy, I miss those ads). A Mitchel's ad in the July '76 issue sold it at $175-225, depending on the variation desired. It appears that you could get it painted from the factory by Terry Industries. If you want a copy of the full PFM ad, I'll email it to you. It's got a great shot of it, painted, weathered and photographed by the Wizard of Montery, John Allen, one of the early greats in model railroading.
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tt22cc said:
I'm glad I could help you. The Mogul I have I could never sell either. It was given to me by some folks I had known only a short time. I helped them dispose of a late friend's estate and they gave it to me, believing that their friend would have wanted it that way. It's the only brass loco I own and a cherished member of my engine roster. I'm hoping to find an original PFM ad to frame and display with it.
well what you have is a nice pice of brass if it does not work take it to somone and have them clean it, and it will work fine. there is allmost allways one or more of them on ebay for sale but they go pretty high at times.
One thing to be careful about is that some of the early brass from Japan received 2 volt motors instead of 12 volt motors by mistake. The affected engines were recalled for correction, but less than 10% were returned. It showed that most buyers were collecting brass, and not interested in running it. I'm not sure if your locomotive was one of those or not.
While poking around at an antique store, I found a 9" X 13" black and white photo of Sierra Railways #38, the prototype for the United model.
They are a little noisy (gear tower whine), but otherwise are great running engines. Originally built as oil burners, I've converted mine to coal burners, adding a single cylinder mechanical stoker.
They are a little noisy (gear tower whine), but otherwise are great running engines. Originally built as oil burners, I've converted mine to coal burners, adding a single cylinder mechanical stoker.
