Finally got my Lionel scale Hudson's out of storage after 14 years, lubricated them and hitched them up to 7 NYC passenger cars. So far the engines appear to need a higher voltage to run, than say the F3's, FN's, Gp9's GG1's or other locomotives. Seems like a constant 18V is needed. Also had to add the additional feed at the far end of the 16' x 28' loop to get some extra current up there. Got one running great but noticed that the draw-bar pin contacted the third rail in one spot when going over a grade in the track section. This would stop the engine. The temporary remedy was to put a small piece of electrical tape around the draw pin and on the coupler plunger. Problem solved. Guess that engine wasn't designed to run on Gargraves track that was not perfectly level.
Other observation is that since this engine lacks Magnetraction, it doesn't pull very well. The engine will pull the seven car string but wheel slippage does occur, especially when starting or accelerating. Perhaps the track needs to be kept perfectly spotless and oil free.
So one 5340 is now running great , the other has an intermittent problem which I suspect is a dirty e unit. Doesn't always start running. Didn't want to take apart a full scale Hudson and do the fix myself as it appears to be an involved process. I will drop this off to be fixed by Jay Stuhl on Tuesday. Jay is a 77 yr., old school Lionel repairman that is still in the service station business that has been repairing trains for over 55 years. He knows these engines quite well and I figured that's what is needed. Such is a day in the life of the scale Hudson. In summation; beautiful detailed engines, look great on a layout, but they can be temperamental at times.
