Hudsons: The Best of Both Worlds

Be forewarned,  sometimes acquiring two will lead to three and then to ten....

I know.  Already I'm thinking, "What other Hudson would be good for my collection of two?". Any suggestions? Dick

The Dreyfuss of course!

quote:

Be forewarned,  sometimes acquiring two will lead to three and then to ten....

Happened to me.

I picked up the first modern era 0-6-0 switcher.

Then I needed a 1-700E to go with it.

Then I needed the three semi-scale hudsons that led up to the 1-700E

Then I needed some of the reproduction scale freight cars

And I've been thinking about those railcheif passenger cars

So my suggestion is to start picking up those three semi-scale hudsons.

If you give a mouse a Hudson...

I also took one look at my MINT 1990 1-700E's scale couplers fore and aft while removing it from its sealed carton, and decided then and there it would be a display case "Queen". 

Then a very generous forum member provided me with the correct scale pilot truck gratis.

Made in the USA gives this engine a special cachet, and the TM video about its construction adds greatly to its attraction! 

I also purchased, but did NOT preorder, the black VL Hudson, which is a joy to operate! Best Lionel engine I have ever owned!

The real Hudson's were very special locos, and it is a d**n shame not one was saved from the scrapper's torch! 

Made in the USA gives this engine a special cachet, and the TM video about its construction adds greatly to its attraction! 

 

 

Have to agree with that.. That TM video adds much to the appreciation level.

Also, Knowing the 1-700e produced "BY" Lionel here in the USA was not made "FOR" Lionel offshore makes it a truly special model.

Call it a  train lovers keepsake that belongs in a display case...

Joe

I will always cast a vote for the K-Line Hudson (2003) as a beautiful model that probably has the best detail of any diecast Hudson produced to date. For display or operation (with caveats) they are first rate. Operationally, the smoke unit (although 'adequate') is an older puffer type and the generic RS4 sounds are dated. I would like eventually to add PS3 and a MTH smoke unit to ours with a Fat Boy speaker and all the PS3 features.

A Santa Fe 3460-class Hudson. Big, beefy, and 84" drivers.

Another bruiser is a huge C&O L-2 Hudson (300-307) built by Baldwin in 1941-42. Baldwin built five more L-2a's (310-314) in 1948 with Poppet Type B valve gear. These behemoths were the world's heaviest Hudsons. Total engine weights were 439,500 lbs. and 443,000. Add tenders and figures rise to 832,500 lbs. and 839,000 lbs.

I'm the proud owner of 3 post war Lionel Hudsons.

I had forgotten that book (If You Give a Mouse a Cookie). My sons certainly enjoyed it when they were little. And there is a parallel there

OK Guys....now you have me "going down the Hudson!".....love the old postwar version....

I have three. Two brass Williams Masterpiece Hudsons from the mid-1990s (1 converted to TMCC) and an MTH Premier Santa Fe Hudson (PS2). All run great and are real nice to look at!!

Guys, Thanks for all the suggestions.  My next question is, where can I get a loan?  Even if just day dreaming about Hudsons, it can be exciting.  And yes, Art, after reading Staufer's "Thoroughbreds" I too mused, why in the world didn't NYC save at least one Hudson from the scapper's torch? Dick

Not all of the NYC's large motive power was scrapped according to the rumor mill.  Talk with some of the 'old timers' IF you can find one these days and IF they are willing to be candid; you may learn that some were 'buried alive'.  From my understanding, it started with an accounting snafu (read inventory control/asset evaluation) leading up to the merger between the Pennsy and the Central.  Also, read the old publication 'Wreck of the Penn-Central' and look for 'hints' therein.  My father retired from the NYC right after the merger - therefore, Penn-Central which few of the original Pennsy or Central men liked.

Best,

Dave

Living tracks.  You need to expand your space it you are going to buy another hudson.

Al 

Dave Garman:

"buried alive" - a Hudson conspiracy?  

Man those shovels!  

I don't really know about that.  A lot can be said for the Niagara 4-8-4.  I think that the Hudson gets more acclaim because of its folklore amongst model trainers.  Not saying that the Hudson isn't a masterpiece of design.  But, better than the Niagara?

Alan

I am not a NYC fan but just purchased the 1990 Hudson in like new condition from a fellow forum member "just to display".  This is why:

Back in the mid seventies when I first returned to the hobby, I only had my original Marx Allstate set from 1958 and it just did not want to run well. So I visited the hobby shop in the North Hills shopping center in Raleigh.  The owner had some of his collection in a display case in the rear of the store.  In that case, in the middle of the bottom shelf was a scale prewar Hudson.  With all its detail and the size, I remember thinking it was the best looking engine I had ever seen and that maybe someday I might be able to own an engine lake that.  Well fast forward to 1990 when the Lionel catalog came out - there it was in all of its glory.  Although it was expensive, I order it knowing I would have many months to save the money.  When I received it, I felt I had arrived at the top. I enjoyed running the engine for many years but once my friend Billy insisted I try his CAB1, I was hooked on Command control.  Needless to say, the Hudson became a shelf queen and in 2003 or 2004, I decided I should sell it to raise money for other train items.  Well at 65, nostialia has set in and I starded to reminiss about my journey in the hobby and decided this engine needed a place at the table, or at least parked on a siding at the roundhouse.

So, once again I am the proud owner of an American made Lionel scale Hudson.

"Once again, the world is spinniing in greased groves"

Happy railroading,

Don

No NYC Hudson's were saved or buried plain and simple. These rumors have been floating around for years and there is not one shred of evidence that any exist.

2046 hauling the 'Night Express' freight.  Over 60, and still puffing away.

I heard Elvis was seen running one!

Rusty

Seems you just can't keep a good Hudson thread down...

One thing to add since my original post:  I obtained and installed the scale front trucks for the 5340 and now it really looks great.  I can't believe what a difference this makes.  So if you are running the 5340 on 0-72 or larger curves or merely displaying this model, as I am,  picking up the scale trucks might be a good idea.  They cost less than $10.  Dick

That's a cool video!  I like how the smoke was lit up by the yard light and the headlight shining down the rails.  Very good.

John

Thanks John. 

Nicole.