Brass Locomotive Repair Services:
I repair all manner of brass locomotives, large or small, old or new. I have been repairing and rebuilding brass, and other engines, for over 40 years and know my way around model locomotives.
I generally use a small oxygen/propane torch for soldering, but also have a PBL resistance tweezer unit, and a collection of various irons and torches. I also have a small lathe, drill press, quarterers, and a grit blaster, among many other tools to address almost any brass problems that you might have.
My brass repair rates are $25 per hour plus parts and shipping (if outside of the South Eastern Michigan area). Call or email for an estimate..
DTAM History:
In my teens I scratch built an HO brass locomotive, a model of the CB&Q's M-4a 2-10-4. From that project I learned it was more fun to start with a commercial model ! My first Japanese brass was an International USRA 0-8-0 purchased in 1966 or 67. More followed slowly, as I could afford them, and somewhere along the line I started on a path of repairing, upgrading, cross-kitting and redetailing brass locomotives.
In the early 80's I started working under the name of DTA Models, or DTAM. Generally doing repair and rebuilding. For a while I did custom painting, but stopped because I didn't really enjoy it. Good, accurate detail and running qualities are what rings my bell.
I had been doing all the brass repair for the Train Center Hobbies, a metro Detroit train only hobby shop, until they closed their doors in the summer of 2001. The locos have ranged from old junk to the latest imports. I've worked on N, HOn3, and O brass engines, but mostly HO which is my chosen scale. Steam, diesel, traction, electric, cars, and structures, you name it.
C&O is the road I model, and I love their engines ! Of course I belong to the C&O Historical Society. A few years back I had the pleasure of helping Fine Art Models (only a few miles from here !) in getting their museum quality, gauge 1 C&O Allegany project going.
Dave Ayers
05/01/07
About DTAM Brass Locomotive Rebuilding:
DTAM repairs, upgrades and recycles various old and damaged brass HO locomotives. Rebuilding them increases detail, accuracy, performance and value, and results in fine looking and running pieces of brass.
Older Brass engines generally have well built mechanisms and superstructures, but usually have poor detail, damaged or missing parts and mechanical problems. United, Akane/Fuji, Max Grey, to some extent Tenshodo, Westside. and even some Gem engines are suitable for upgrading. Other brands of older brass can be upgraded sometimes, but it is increasingly expensive to get satisfying results.
Locomotive Rebuild Value
Some collectors might complain that rebuilding degrades the 'original' status of a piece of brass and therefore its value. But I believe that there is a net improvement in value to those that really appreciate quality in a model steam locomotives and other railroad equipment. As well, rebuilding opens up a new source of good models from the 'junk' of a previous age of Japanese and Korean brass model products.
Locomotive Rebuilding includes:
- Improvements to the performance and reliability of the running gear
- Replacement of crude old trucks or wheels
- Replacement of crude or missing detail parts with good lost wax castings
- Fix damaged/missing parts and solder joints
- Correct gross deviations from the prototype
- Clean castings, straighten and square up parts
Brass Locomotive Parts:
My parts collection is fairly extensive with tenders, boilers, cabs, pilots, domes, drivers, rods, etc. and tons (well not literally) of lost wax detail parts. I have metric screws, crankpins, rivets, springs, gears, wheels, and other supplies for fixing brass problems. Not all my parts are for sale, but if you need something it wouldn't hurt to email or call. I'm open to part purchases and trades. Check out my Brass Parts page.
