Introduction to OGR and question about Williams model #4000 Hudson Locomotive

Welcome!  Are you doing O scale in 2 rail or 3 rail?  I came from HO and N myself and live in both worlds depending on what road names I am modeling and where I operated my trains.

The original Williams Hudsons are hit and miss.  Some are good runners and others have issues.  This is true for a lot of the early Williams / Samhongsa brass steam locomotives.  They got better every year though.  While I don't have this specific locomotive, others on this forum have commented on the challenges with the early Hudson.  Personally, I have ten of the Williams brass steam locomotives (all three rail) and 5 are great runners, 2 are average runners, and 3 need some work.  They are well priced and can be detailed to make very nice locomotives.  I have been keeping my eyes open for a few 2 rail ones that I can strip and modify for my collection.

I still have tons of Athearn Bluebox kits in the same roads I model in O. 

Thank you Jonathan

I also at this point am split.  My original intention was 2 rail but they are much harder to find on Ebay and for an equivalent loco seem to go for twice the price so.... because of my cheapness have migrated to 3 rail. 

To elaborate more I also "fell in love with K-Line Alum Passenger cars" intended at first to convert to 2 rail but then decided why?

I believe the Williams 4000 Hudson falls in the miss class. Their best Hudsons are referred to in their Masterpiece series which consisted of a J3a unstreamlined 5430 and a Streamlined Dreyfuss 5450. Many others are not as detailed but run well.

Pete

I started in 3 rail, but for my personal modeling, the 2 rail bug got to me.  I model roughly 1953-1960 CNJ & PRR in 2 rail while I model everything else in 3 rail.  I am a self admitted snob on my 2 rail collection, but less so on 3 rail.  I collect western roads and Amtrak in 3 rail as my local 3 rail club is western themed or Amtrak.  I have over 150 scale passenger cars of which about 35 or so are K-Line.  Nice cars.  Most of my cars are Golden Gate Depot.  All correct scale length based on the prototype. 

I also have an affinity for vintage trains and have a reasonable collection of All Nation, Walthers, and Athearn O cars.  O scale is a very interesting space because it is so broad.  You have your scale enthusiasts like myself, some amazing hi-rail 3 rail modelers, those who collect and operate tin-plate, and finally the very loyal traditional O gauge Lionel style trains.  There are not any wrong answers, just a lot of opportunities to enjoy this scale.  I made my switch into O at about age 32.  I started in HO at 7 so I still have more HO years than O behind me, but I love this scale.  Great people, great models, and lots of fun!

Thanks Norton for your insight

Thanks Jonathan for the additional information.

This isn't Ebay so I guess it is OK to say I live in Poughkeepsie, NY, so have to have NY Central trains, that's why I need to get a Hudson of some type.  I actually bought a K-Line ESE 15" set but nothing to pull it with.  When I started I thought no 15" they are too toy like, but then when I started looking at the price of the 21" sets decided they would do for now!  Really like the 18" length best, K-Line skipped that length with the ESE.  Again from starring at Athearns as a kid, as you know there cars were modeled on 72' cars so O gage means 18".  My criteria is Transition period, because love Streamlined cars but also Main Line Steam.  My life was changed in the mid 1990's when I watched Milw 261 roll by pulling 21 private railcars up a grade at 50 mph.  Diesel Rail fanning has just never been the same since!  The midsize Steam locos most museums use just ain't the same.

Masterpiece hudson with some additional detailing. Great loco with ERR.

I highly recommend this loco !

Thanks Ron it is gorgeous, Think I will skip the "low price" alternative I asked about.

The Williams 4000 Hudsons are not their brightest crayons in the box,…..there’s a reason they show up for small money,…..stick with their Crown or Masterpiece models,….there’s just no comparison,…..sometimes cheap isn’t the best option….search for a good deal on their better product line,….IMO, anyways….

Pat

Thanks Pat (Harmon Yards)  Any chance you are NYC fan! LOL

@MainLine Steam posted:

Thanks Pat (Harmon Yards)  Any chance you are NYC fan! LOL

Nah, Soo Line…..🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Pat