It is this third point we will look at today but lets get a few facts on the table before we look at the detail.

The Aster Hobby Co. Inc. of Yokohama, Japan has been making gauge one live steam models since 1975. In 30 years they have produced more than 60 different models (often with livery variations). Prototypes modelled by Aster have come from the UK, mainland Europe, the USA and Japan plus a single example from Australia! The models produced in the first few years are more basic in character compared to the later offerings, which feature very full specifications. All models are made in world-wide limited editions in both factory built ready to run and kit formats. Incidentally, anyone interested in the history of Aster, the seminal influence of Fulgurex SA. and their design consultant Mr J T van Reimsdijk, should read the extensive review in the current Aster catalogue.
Most models are produced in 1/32nd scale but Aster have manufactured several for the G-scale enthusiast including the currently available Colorado & Southern mogul with its famous ‘bear trap’ chimney. It should be mentioned that Japanese prototypes are made to 1/30th scale since Japanese mainlines are of 3' 6" gauge.
When the subject of Asters is mentioned the first thing non-owners tend to pick up on is their cost. Certainly Aster have never been cheap (in the UK we have always had high import duties and VAT to contend with) but Asters have always been considered as very good value for money. The current L&NWR / LMS Precedent Class 2-4-0 ‘Jumbo’ costs a little over £2000 ready to run or slightly less as a kit. To commission the same model from a professional builder made to the same detail and specification with lost wax brass castings (no whitemetal on an Aster) would cost double. Even to build one from scratch yourself charging your time at half the National minimum wage would still cost a small fortune.
In this article we will look at the collectability of Asters. Perhaps we will examine the other facets another day.

Frequently asked Questions

“If I buy a new Aster today will it gain in value?”

“Will the profit be better than inflation?”

“Will it be better than leaving the money in the Building Society?”

All that can be said is that if past experience is to be a guide to the future then all Asters will gain in value over time. However, the size of the increase in value does not appear to be dependent on age of the model or the quantity produced, there are more complex factors at work.

Let’s take some examples. The Japanese National railways ‘Mogul’ was produced in 1975 in a run of 1500 examples. This is a nice simple single cylinder loco of the “one shot” operational type. The value of this model today in the UK is around the £750-£850 mark for an unsteamed mint and boxed example - about 150% gain in 30 years – not a very startling result! By comparison the SR ‘Schools’ class produced at the same time in an edition of 3000 (with a similar spec but two cylinders instead of one) is changing hands for about £1600 - £1700 a gain of 400% on its 1975 cost. Clearly in the UK the Schools is going to be more sought after than the JNR Mogul but that doesn’t explain everything.

In my view there are several factors that individually or collectively influence value. They are:-

• Year of manufacture. Models made in the early days have had longer to increase in value.
• Quantity made. The fewer of a particular prototype the better.
• Quantity in the UK. Exchange rates often influenced the quantity imported into the UK.
• Popularity of prototype. The A4 Mallard and GWR King are ‘tops’ in the UK.
• Specification. High spec means higher value.
• Complexity and/or degree of detail. Ditto.
• Livery variations. The BR lined black Pannier is hard to find.
• Electric or Steam. Electric versions can be rare but many enthusiasts prefer steam.
• Availability of appropriate rolling stock. The model looks better with the right train.
• Factory built or kit built. Factory built is best. But kit built by a (named) experienced builder is OK.
• Run or not run. Mint, boxed with instructions, drawings and tools is the best.

Not surprisingly, British outline models tend to be the most popular in the UK. The SR ‘King Arthur’ class is very hard to find indeed and values in excess of £2600 are being mentioned.
However, the LNER / BR class A4 is by far the most eagerly collected British ‘non-current’ Aster. A mint un-steamed factory built Mallard or Sir Nigel Gresley command prices of up to £6000 (against about £1500 when new in 1984) whereas the slight anomaly is ‘Silver Link’ in its three shades of grey livery, may be had for perhaps £4500 in mint condition.

Collectability is not confined to UK outline models. There is interest in American outline models too. Take for example the Union Pacific ‘Big Boy’ – the biggest Aster ever built. One recently is said to have changed hands for £10,000. This might be a trifle high but so few come to the market that guidelines are almost impossible to set. Meanwhile, the Pennsylvania K4, New York Central Hudson and Southern Pacific ‘Daylight’ are slightly more common but all are hard to find and consequently command good prices. However, the V&T Reno, an early ‘wild west’ style loco can be had for very modest cost indeed!

The values quoted here are for mint factory built examples. Used and/or kit built models tend to be lower. Unmade kits tend to be almost as high as factory built, particularly for the earlier models. A kit can be constructed to the owner’s requirements with modifications made as required.

The future

When I am asked today about which models are likely to gain most in years to come I always explain that there are no easy answers. My own personal choices of the current and recent models, which may do well in time, are these:-

1. The GNR Stirling Single. Reasons - only 350 made, very few brought into the UK market. An attractive model with novel features (Stephenson valve gear).

2. The DB or DR BR62. ‘Mammoth’ 4-6-4T. Reasons - only 300 made, very few in UK. Detailed and very convincing visually. Novel features (working lights).

3. The DB or DR BR03 Pacific tender loco. Reasons - similar to BR62 although no working lights. Additionally very large and particularly convincing visually. An excellent and powerful runner too. Electric version available.

4. The BR version of the LNER Flying Scotsman.

Finally

This is just a very basic review of a complex subject. The person with the Mamod and simple oval of track may think that the all this ‘high value’ Aster stuff is irrelevant to them. But they should remember that there are very many second-hand Asters around in used condition that can cost the same as a simple model from any of the myriad of small makers. Such a model can be improved and enjoyed and will also have a value which will probably grow in the years to come.

The pleasure derived from an Aster in its operation, restoration, or possible conversion to something else can be the gateway to a whole new interest in our fascinating garden railway hobby.

Numbers of Models Produced Year Model Wheel Arrangement Boiler Type & Capacity Production Quantity Electric Version Qty Electric 1975 SR Schools 4-4-0 Smithies 170ml 3000 no   1975 JNR Mogul 2-6-0 Smithies 170ml 2500 no   1976 V&T Reno 4-4-0 Smithies 150ml 800 no   1976 Old Faithful 0-4-0 Pot 95ml 1500 no   1977 PLM Pacific 4-6-2 Smithies 300ml 800 ?   1977 Shay Type B 2 Truck Smithies 140ml 1500 no   1977 JNR C12 2-6-2T Smithies 170ml 1000 ?   1978 DB BR78/SNCF 231TC 4-6-2T Smithies 200ml 800 ?   1978 JNR C62/2 4-6-4 Loco Type 400ml 500 no   1991 JNR C62/3 4-6-4 Loco Type 430ml 150 no   1979 SR King Arthur 4-6-0 Smithies 200ml 300 no   1979 SNCF 141R 2-8-2 B Type 350ml 600 no   1979 JNR C57 4-6-2 B Type 270ml 500 no   1980 GER/Ouest/ETAT Tank 0-6-0T Pot 150ml 300/300/300 no   1980 DB BR01 4-6-2 Smithies 350ml 500 yes   1980 Baldwin Rear Tank 0-4-2T Pot 110ml 1500 no   1981/6 UP Big Boy 4-8-0+0-8-4 Loco Type 800ml 200/150 yes   1981 Bayern S 2/6 4-4-4 Centre Flue 220ml 500 yes   1982 C&N Climax 3 Truck Centre Flue 180ml 600 yes   1982 Americanised Mogul 2-6-0 Smithies 150ml 800 no   1983 SBB EB 3/5 2-6-2T Smithies 160ml 400 no   1983 NYC Hudson 4-6-4 Centre Flue 350ml 600 yes   1984 LNER/BR A4 Mallard Sir Nigel Gresley 4-6-2 C Type 280ml 250/150 yes   1987 LNER A4 Silver Link 4-6-2 C Type 280ml 150 ?   1984 Western Maryland Shay 3 truck Centre Flue 340ml 500 yes   1990 G.G & E Shay 3 truck Centre Flue 340ml 80 ?   1984 Pennsylvania K4 4-6-2 Centre Flue 300ml 550 yes   1985 BR44/SNCF 150 2-10-0 C Type 330ml 250/150 ?   1986 SBB A3/5 Compound 4-6-0 C Type 140ml 400 ?   1986 Commodore Vanderbilt 4-6-4 Electric only 120 yes   1986 JNR D51 2-8-2 Mixed Type (?) 300ml 300 ?   1987 SP GS-4 Daylight 4-8-4 Fire Tube 460ml 300 yes   1987 BR86 2-8-2T Pot 230ml 800 no   1988 Chapelon Nord 4-6-2 C Type 250ml 350 ?   1989 DR BR96 / Bay Gt2 4x4 0-8-0+0-8-0T Centre Flue 360ml 200/350 yes   1989 Frank S (for LGB) 0-6-0T Centre Flue 180ml 3028 no   1990 GWR King George V 4-6-0 C Type 340ml 400 yes   1990 JNR C11 Tank 2-6-4 Smithies 180ml 500 no   1991 C&S Mogul 2-6-0 Centre Flue 180ml 480 yes   1991 SNCF 232 U1 4-6-4 Loco Type 270ml 400 yes   1992/3 Pannier Tank 0-6-0T C Type 165ml 800 no   1993 B&O Grasshopper 0-4-0 Vertical 165ml 800 no   1993 KPEVT2/BR98 Glaskasten/öBB 0-4-0T Saddle Type 110ml 240/150/60 no   Note from Aster Japan Breakdown of the Glaskastens The first Production run Run 150 x BR 98 307 & 150 Bayerns The second run 90 x Bayern & 60 x OBB versions In total 450 = 150 BR black, 240 Bayern Green & 60 OBB black. The ratio of the kit and the RTR is 70% kit and 30% RTR in case of Glaskasten. 1993 Australian Garratt AD60 4-8-4+4-8-4 Loco Type 270ml 150 no   1995 JNR C56 2-6-0 C Type 150ml 300 no   1995 KPEV T3/BR 89 0-6-0T C Type 110ml 200/200 no   1996 BR62 4-6-4T C Type 280ml 300 yes   1996 GNR Stirling Single 4-2-2 C Type 90ml 350 no   1997 JNR 9600 2-8-0 C Type 230ml 300 no   1998 BR03 4-6-2 C Type 300ml 370 yes   1998/9 Jumbo LNWR/LMS Red/LMS Blk 2-4-0 C Type 90ml 220/220/60 no   1999 USRA Mikado 2-8-2 B type 400ml 260 No   2000 P8/DB 38 (Dec) KPEV (Feb 2001) 4-6-0 Smoke Tube Type 150/150/200 ?   2001 L&M Lion 0-4-2 Type C 60cc 400 -    2001 Titfield Thunderbolt 0-4-2 Type C 60cc 400 -   2002 LNER A3 4-6-2 C Type 350  -   2002 Allegheny 2-6-6-6  Loco type 800cc 100  -   2002 B20 (G Scale) 0-4-0T ?     -   2003 JNR C62 4-6-4 Loco Type 350cc 350 -   2003 BR52 DB/BR 2-10-0 C Type 300cc 260 -   2003 Kriegslok (Grey) 2-10-0 C Type 300cc 45 -   2004 BR Flying Scotsman 4-6-2 C Type 100 -   2005 Duchess of Sutherland 4-6-2 C Type  300 (230 LMS & 70 BR) -   2005 NKP Berkshire 2-8-4 Loco Type 450cc 300 -   2006 Bulleid Pacific 4-6-2  C Type 240 cc 480 -   2006 JNR 51 Streamline 2-8-0 C Type 280 cc 150 - - 2007 SNCF + PLM 140C 2-8-0 C Type 250 cc 250 - - 2007 JNR 51 Std 2-8-0 C Type 280 cc 100 - - 2008 BR Standard Class 9/ Evening Star 2-10-0 C Type 255 cc 315 - - 2008 Great Northern S2 4-8-4 C Type 670 cc 250 - - © Aster Hobbies (UK) LLP. Collecting | Numbers Produced Extras | Literature | Accessories | Owners Gallery | Collecting [back to top]