I'd have to say that having been around Brooks saddles all my life (I'm 57) and having sold them in stores for years, that noisebeams's experience is not common.

Yes, the short rails make Brooks unsuitable for a few who can't solve the issue w/ seatpost, but constuction equals or betters most other saddles.

Of course, I weigh 130lbs, so I don't tend to break any saddles, but I'd bet there are way less instances of broken rails on Brooks saddles, compared to the flyweight saddles now found on most bikes.