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I found these brass locomotives at a car swap meet a few weekends ago, and I've been trying to find out what they are, and what years they were made. Going from back to front:

3 brass locos

-The 0-6-0 is an Southern Pacific switcher, but I have no idea who made the kit. What is odd is that the hump for the gear underneath is the same depth as the treads, which would short out going over a switch, or on the center rail when I convert it to 3 rail . No markings on it other than the paintwork, which will unfortunately need to be redone as primer wasn't used leading to the paint chipping off.

SP 1218 0-6-0

-The 10 wheel chassis may be a 2-10-2, but it's made of plastic. That lead me to think it may be a stationary model kit, but it has a gear on the center axle, so was it made to run? The rear truck is a really nice piece, even has opening journal boxes. Also no markings, so no idea of a maker.

-This 0-8-0 did have markings, and it's a KTM USRA 0-8-0 switcher chassis. There's not much info on these online, so I don't know the year.

My plans for these are to put motors in them so I can at least watch them run on rollers, but that will take place after I'm done my Engineering Technology schooling in the spring. At some point after that I will try to convert the 0-6-0 and maybe the 0-8-0 to 3 rail. The 10 wheeler is missing too many parts unless I find a donor, plus it's plastic which impacts pulling power. Thanks for any help!

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  • 3 brass locos
  • SP 1218 0-6-0
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the KTM chassis is most likely a US Hobbies import.    The second possibility is Max Grey  which used KTM as a builder before USHobbies.    Max Grey (the person) sold the business to the guy who founded Kemtron I believe, and he renamed it US Hobbies and continued the business in the 1970s at least  until he solt it to Westside Models Company which managed to fold it up in a few  years.   Many of the same models done by Max Grey were reissued by US Hobbies  with better details and motors.

The Diecast gearbox pretty much insures it is a US Hobbies import.    All the Max Grey era stuff I have seen has had Brass fabricated gearboxes.  

Don't worry, I'd use some sort of whistle tender trucks on a homemade tender for the pickup rollers and outside rails, put the reversing unit in the tender, and a small AC/DC motor into the boiler. It would easily be able to be removed if someone wanted to. I don't think the 0-6-0 boiler would survive shipping anyways, I've had to straighten out the cab sides, roof, and running boards already from how it was stored when I bought it.

Matt.426 I agree with others who recommended that you get a proper 3 rail locomotive rather than convert the 0-6-0 and or the 0-8-0 to 3 rail. The other issue in converting those locomotives is the matter of flanges which are not compatible with 3 rail track.  Parts for the Lobaugh 0-6-0 are available from Bob Stevenson.

@mattp.426 posted:

I don't think the 0-6-0 boiler would survive shipping anyways, I've had to straighten out the cab sides, roof, and running boards already from how it was stored when I bought it.

Properly packed, that Lobaugh 0-6-0 would be perfectly solid through the mail. Majority of damage due to shipping is a result of poor packing.

the 0-6-0 probably has more value as a 2 rail loco than a 3 rail one.    Most 3 railers want the latest and greatest electronics and bright and colorful factory paint, and usually don't want to do any work or maintenance it seems.    There does not seem to be as strong an interest in accuracy to prototype.    These are not meant as negatives, just a different focus more on collecting.

Most 2 railers seem to want more accuracy to prototype and are more willing to do their own painting and detailing if necessary.    also most seem to prefer to install their own electronics.    There seems to be more focus on the individual model rather than the vintage release of a give manufacturer.

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OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
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