Best Command & Control Hudson O-42 curves?

Most of the Hudsons will negotiate O42 just fine, even with the full size traditional tender Lionel has made for the Hudson.

In terms of which one to get, here on the forum Eliot (Scrapiron) is selling a K Line Hudson with a PS2 conversion for 400-450 -- that is a good deal from a very reputable seller.  And the K Line Hudson is a beauty, with the one downside that parts may be an issue if something breaks. 

If you want a TMCC Hudson, I would look at any of the various Lionel models from the mid to late 90s.  For mucho dollars you could find a Vision Line, but my personal view is that they are gorgeous but some of the features are problematic. 

One final option is to find a less desirable pre TMCC Hudson and convert it.  Some of the MPC Hudsons in particular are very inexpensive, and they are mechanically sound and can be converted.  The price of the loco may be cheap enough to make the conversion worthwhile. 

HTH.

Like maybe the Williams Hudson with those can motors!?

You can also find an MTH premier Hudson with proto one and convert it to TMCC with a cruise Commander from electric railroad. 

If you get a Williams scale Hudson, you should also put a cruise commander in it.

For about the same price after conversion, the MTH model is superior in every way.

I agree, most should do 042 without modification. The limiting factor is usually drawbar length. Put the included longer drawbar on the K-Line Hudson and it will negotiate 031.

Eliot's engine is a steal and I am surprised it hasn't sold by now. I would have snapped it up a long time ago if I didn't have one already.

Pete

If I wanted (another) Hudson, I'd seriously look at and probably purchase one of the LionChief Plus Hudsons

I have one of the Proto One Hudsons converted to PS2.  It looks and runs nice.  I'm sure it would be the same with TMCC.

In terms of being command ready, most of the scale Hudsons that Lionel did since 1995 have been decent quality, in spite of being Pullmor driven. I have 3 already. If you prefer the can motored versions, the two J3As and the streamlined Dreyfuss they did in 2001 to 2005 are really good, but rather scarce. I personally feel my Vision Line 700E Hudson is by favorite Hudson in my collection, but I'm assuming this one will be out of most people's budgets.

And if not the Lionel Vision Line Hudson 6-11209 , then which one?

The Lionmasters are nice engines. The 6-38045 or the 6-38085. Nice detail, features, etc.

Chip, no one has made the perfect one yet so expect a trade off or two with each one.

Lionel Vision, best sound, motion and effects but got shortchanged in the detail department.

Lionel J3s have good detail and cruise but only two chuffs.

K-Line, all have great detail, most have 2 chuffs and a puffer unit. One hard to find one has cruise and maybe 4 chuffs.

MTH has done a bunch in proto2, most have excellent detail, 4 chuffs and of course cruise. Probably the best bang for the buck for factory stock engines.

3rd Rail has done two with TMCC, no cruise and one with cruise. good to excellant detail but can be pricey.

Others with upgrades could be considered. If I was looking now I would jump on Eliot's K-Line, best detailed diecast engine with cruise and 4 chuffs.

Pete

Most hudsons with 6 axle tenders will negotiate o-42 with the exception of the Empire State Express with the tender skirting.

 There really isn't a "best". Its a matter of personal taste and taking into consideration the things Norton mentioned above.  

I'd advise you to "peruse" youtube and see which one you like best. There are plenty of videos of all of the popular  brands/versions.

Most of my locos were purchased based on their "online" video performances. Its the only way to really know what your getting.

I agree with Moonman.  Just because an engine CAN run on 42" curves doesn't mean it should.  I haven't seen it, but I imagine a 1:48 scale Hudson would look overly big on 42" curves.

The LionMaster Hudson looks great.  It's highly detailed and slightly bigger than the PW 2046/2056 Hudsons.  It comes with better sounds than most non-scale TMCC engines and also the Odyssey system.  I love mine.  I saw one for sale on an auction site for $350 and it didn't even sell.  I paid close to 2X that.

Another option is the K-Line semi-scale Hudson.  They are nicely detailed and can be found with TMCC and RS.

Both are limited to the NY Central livery.

Thanks guys!

Man, why did Lionel stop making "LionMaster"?

Seems like an awesome product!

Will the Lionmaster series run conventional (z1000)?

If you're willing to go with a Postwar style hudson, the Century Club 773 can be had for a decent price. You could also look for the more recent 773 from the Super O PWC set from 2006 (or therabouts). That one has Railsounds 5.0 and four chuffs.

ALL command engines from any manufacturer will run conventionally. The only exception I am aware of is the early LionChief without/before the plus.