"Know Thy Hudsons" New Book

Received mine today as well and It's impressive.  Details galore, not a thing is left out right down to the green paint the B&A painted some of there Hudsons.  Going to take me a long time to read through this and digest all the info

 Just ordered one today. Pretty much wore out my copy of Thoroughbreds.

I've been reading through my copy since it arrived yesterday. Love it!

stumbled across this O scale 2 rail layout in the videos from your link above

https://nycshs.org/for-the-modeler/modeling-videos/

Dave_C posted:

 Just ordered one today. Pretty much wore out my copy of Thoroughbreds.

You will be overwhelmed Dave.

Received mine yesterday as well.  As a fan of NYC Hudsons, its an amazing reference to go with the Thoroughbreds book.  A must for all NYC Hudson fans with lots of photos I had never seen before, numerous blue prints and even a section on color photos.

This is what I built in O scale using the Thoroughbreds book. A super detailed brass Williams Masterpiece Hudson. I did a series on the detailing some time ago..

Excellent piece Ron H.  This new book inspired me to finally take the dive & purchase a Lionel J-3A (#5444 version). I'm new to the forum so I'll be sure to review your thread and others to make some upgrades & detail improvements to the engine.

Ordered my copy yesterday, from Ron's Books, with free shipping. He seems to have the lowest price, if one is not a member of the New York Central Historical Society. 

So,Hot - if you could only keep one Hudson book, would it be this one, or the Stauffer book?  I assume you have your copy by now . . .

bob2 posted:

So,Hot - if you could only keep one Hudson book, would it be this one, or the Stauffer book?  I assume you have your copy by now . . .

No, the new one still hasn't arrived (I assume that 'book rate' takes longer). Since I already have the Stauffer book, I will not be getting rid of it just because of this new one. If one does NOT already own the Stauffer book, then this new book would be the one of choice.

bob2 posted:

So,Hot - if you could only keep one Hudson book, would it be this one, or the Stauffer book?  I assume you have your copy by now . . .

I can't imagine anyone wanting to get rid of their copy of "Thoroughbreds"! "Know Thy Hudsons" makes a good companion.

Okay - what I meant was - which one do you consider the best?  By a nose?  Or by a lot?

I have all of Stauffer's books.  He used to come to the O Scale shows in the East.  My copy of NYC Power is the earlier version, and some day I shall acquire the expanded version too.

I would consider "Thoroughbreds" the one to have because it tells more of the story of the Hudson, its history and anecdotes from the people who ran them. I would say that "Know Thy Hudsons" kind of takes up where Stauffer left off, providing additional information that has come to light since the printing of Stauffer's book and answering a lot of questions that I have seen asked here on the forums. The books are of equal quality and go well together. As I said, it is a good companion book. Now that "KTH" has been published, I would say that you don't want to have one without the other. I will warn you though, you will have to wade through a bit of braggadocio as you read. That shouldn't be a problem for those who think the NYC Hudson is the loco to end all locos...the author sure does!

Got my "KTH" a week+ ago. I am now actually reading it after the first few run-throughs. I like a book with data and spread sheets. The author does lay on the NYC Hudson propaganda a bit, but only a bit, and the fact that it's true and that I agree with it makes it pretty palatable...but, generally, it is simply a matter-of-fact book.

As to this book and Staufer's Thoroughbreds relative merits, there is no comparison - literally. Why "compare"? Not everything is a contest. Both are invaluable to a NYC Hudson fan, and I hope to get my copy of KTH as banged-up as my Thoroughbreds. Heck, KTH quotes Thorougbreds.

Now, Mr Gerbracht and the NYCSHS (I'm a member): might we hope for a thin but definitive Know Thy Niagaras and a thick (600 or so locos, I think) but definitive Know Thy Mohawks in the future?

I'll take one of each.

Well, I would say that the propaganda that the Hudson is the most beautiful locomotive in the world is a "bit" thick and I am not going to judge you because you believe it.  To each his own. 

I know it isn't in the same class, or even near.  But, I found a book yesterday in an antique shop from 1935.  It is titled "Modern Locomotives", written by a John Beaty, published by Rand McNally & Company.  No, it is not the most technical, but interesting in how it shows the latest motive power for the year, including some that actually didn't pan out or go into full production.  Really interesting are a pair of diesel locomotives.  By description, one would think they are speaking of some FT units.  But, they are box type cabs and with their twin V-12 engines, each, were rated at only 900 hp for each engine.  By description, and the included picture, they were decorated for the St Fe "Super Chief" and were purchased by St Fe Systems for experimenting and tests.  Another good book from the past added to my library.  Now, to obtain a copy of KTH and augment the base of information available.  I have the Williams Dreyfuss Hudson and it stands up to any I have seen.  Also, my K Line 5344 is very detailed, but a bit of additional detailing will make it all the better.

Jesse    TCA

I saw this post earlier, and wanted to reply when I had some news to report. Evidently, the book is either sold out or nearly sold out everywhere. Thank you all for your kind remarks, and for your support of NYCSHS with the purchase of the book.

To my knowledge, Ron's Books still has copies available, and with free shipping.

Big Jim posted:

Well, I would say that the propaganda that the Hudson is the most beautiful locomotive in the world is a "bit" thick and I am not going to judge you because you believe it.  To each his own. 

I agree with 100% Big Jim!  If one believes that a "NYC Hudson", is the most beautiful Locomotive in the world, all I can say is they never ever saw a "C&O 300 series L2/L2a Hudson. As you say, to each his own, and Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder! ................................................Brandy!