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A true collector’s legendary gem.
In 1983, Bob Schuster started Delton Locomotive Works to focus on building more realistic models. Bob settled on 1:24 scale (45mm), which was a common dollhouse and modeling scale in those days. This made Delton's trains a little smaller than similar LGB trains, which were 1:22.5, but early adopters were very glad to get models that looked like they belonged in North America instead of Bavaria.
Delton produced a number of limited-edition all-brass locomotives that were true scale models (if maybe a bit smaller than they should have been to be models of 3'-gauge locomotives on 1.775"- gauge track). They were hand assembled from start to finish.
These brass engines are all 1:24 scale. Delton's brass locomotives are all highly desirable collectors' items. Bob Schuster only was able to design 200 of each of these items, making this engine extremely rare. All 100+ parts were hand assembled making each unit unique from the rest, and each locomotive taking 8-12 hours to complete. He designed all niche prototypes himself from scratch, going after the 1870’s “industrial art” period of railroading.
This engine was previously owned by a hardcore narrow gauge modeler who meticulously took care of his engines and seldom ever ran them. This engine was primarily placed on display and I don’t think was ever run, perhaps once or twice to test the engine. This engine runs like a literal sewing machine. Not even kidding. It had been sitting on a turntable on static display. It runs better than most asters/accucrafts that I’ve ever witnessed. It’s super smooth even after four decades.
These engines were placed in whatever boxes were available, this particular variant has a nice hard leather box that is unlabeled and unique to this engine. Unfortunately this one did not ever come with the wooden display stand that many of these engines came with. Some people actually like this as these engines are notorious for being hard to unscrew and insert/remove from the box. It is painted green and labeled Southern Pacific.
These engines are quite quirky. The engine MUST be connected to the tender to run as the power comes from the tender, but the drivetrain is in the main engine. There is a jack-type plug that connects the engine to the tender and must be plugged in for the engine to run properly. The sound system (if it has one) is picked up through wires attached to reed switches or are wired directly into the wheels as the entire engine is brass and is wired in a way that it won’t short. The coupler between the engine and tender is tight as it is just a bracket with a hole drilled into it that another brass piece goes right into it. The serial number is #96 and is located on a brass plate underneath the engine. The number is shown in the pictures. I also have serial #97 as well as these were purchased in sequence.
Shipping is going to cover full insurance, willing to deliver within an hour or two (or 100 miles) of the Chicagoland area.
I have several different Delton Brass engines not listed. Free local pickup also available in Chicagoland area. Come visit G scale heaven
