Over the long haul, most things loose value, like that new car that you just drove off the lot. Brass has been the traditional model building media in model railroading, and when you can connect with several brass pieces that are right for you at the right price, you're certainly a winner!...But, on the other hand, there are many new models that will simply not come to the brass market for practical reasons (mostly cost), but for the modern modeler there have been some real first class items: Lionel 66ft Mill Gondola, ACF 4 Bay Covered Hopper (aluminum), and Autoracks; Atlas O Trinity 5161cf Covered Hopper, Berwick Forge 60ft Auto Part Boxcar, 68ft flatcars and Bulkhead Flat Cars, Trinity 25,500 gal. Tank Car, Coil Cars, ACF Coalveyor Rotary Coal Hopper, Maxi-Stack lV racks and 53ft Cans, International Car Company Extended and Standard Vision Cabooses, and the GP60/60M/60B just to name a few. On the other hand, Overland's SP Bay Window Cabooses and their Ca-7, -8, -9,-10, and -11 cabooses hit the spot! Wish I could find some of those brass cabooses! I have 8 Pecos River Brass PC&F 62ft Insulated Boxcars and am always looking for more. They're great!
Some times brass models don't really hit the spot even if they are popular. Take the OMI 62ft I-Beam Lumber Car with Oval or Diamond Cut Windows. They sell for wild prices, and yet close comparison to prototype photos show some distinct errors. Atlas is in a position to give us several more current prototype rail cars including the 73ft Center Partition Lumber Car, and as a Master Line production, I suspect that it will be very acceptable against a brass model, but I will still order some MMW cars, while giving all the encouragement I can to Atlas to build their version.
If I were starting over, and in a way, since the fall of the Denver Society of Model Railroaders, I am, I would caution new adherents to O Scale to not hesitate to spend capital on premium locomotives of all types, partly because of the desired detail or drive system or both. Interests in freight cars may change, but good quality locomotives will pull those trains forever and look great!
Brass allows us to admire the detail and beauty of our hobby, but plastic, good plastic models, give us the flexibility to build up the fleet at a much more acceptable cost and rate. Still, brass is dazzling to see and own. There are many models that have yet to be built. Many of the freight cars will be plastic, but others might well be brass. I'd really like to see a diesel powered rail crane in the 200-250ton class. Only brass will do it justice, although someone might attempt it in diecast metal. It would be a short run, and pricey, but brass could bring it to life....or how about ATSF Ce-6,-8, and -11 Cabooses, or even a correct DRGW Wide Vision Caboose with the correct placement and style of windows.
In this economy, hobby dollars are precious. At the end of the day, wait for and buy what you really want, and don't worry about re-sale value. The happiness you obtain is the investment that counts and will last your lifetime......and maybe someone else's after you.
