In December 2011 I found information on a limited run (10 units)
of hand-built ACE 3000 brass HO scale locomotives built by the
late Mr. Utao Waki of Salt Lake City, Utah. He built many
brass models over the years and the ACE 3000 was apparently his
final project.
At that time, one of these locomotives was offered for sale by
Brasstrains.com of Ocala, Florida (no affiliation with this page).
This model apparently sold for $7250 (!).
"This is a hand-built model by
Utao Waki. Mr. Waki was a Japanese man living in Salt Lake
City UT for many years. He
produced a few very limited runs of models throughout the years,
such as a UP Big boy, & UP Challenger. I believe
this was the last model that he produced before he passed away. There
were only 10 Produced. The original price was
$3500.00. 3 were set aside for his family, 4 were scarfed
up by 2 different wealthy collectors, one was purchased by one
of his close friends. Which leaves only two unaccounted
for, this being one of them which we were recently able to
purchase. The
craftsmanship is superb. The model itself is one of the
most unique models we have had in our possession. The ACE
3000 is basically an advanced steam locomotive meant to offer an
alternative to the very expensive oil prices in 1980. Ross
Rowland headed up the project, CSX authorized it. Much
more info is provided here: Ultimate Steam
If you have any interest in this loco please read the material
found there, it is very interesting. The model
runs well. It is very interesting to watch it run. It does
not have lights installed. The fact
that Mr. Waki is no longer alive, and that this was the pinnacle
of his building prowess, combined with the fact no other model
has ever been produced of this proposed prototype, makes the
value quite subjective. Really on of the most interesting
models produced in the past few decades as far as I am
concerned."
The model appears to be very accurate, the only small
discrepancies I notice are the use of spoked drivers vice the
Scullin Disk drivers specified by ACE, and the combination levers
are incorrectly connected to the valve spindles on the high
pressure cylinders (yes, that IS nit-picking).
Photos of the model:
ACE 3000 Model Side View
ACE 3000 Model Rear 3/4 View
Builder's Plate
ACE 3000 Model Front 3/4 View
ACE 3000 Model "Power Unit" Engineer's Side View
ACE 3000 Model "Power Unit" Fireman's Side View
ACE 3000 Model "Power Unit" 7/8 View
ACE 3000 Model "Power Unit" Bottom View
ACE 3000 Model "Support Unit" Engineer's Side View
