lionel 6-18002 Hudson vs CC 38096

@Bob is cool! posted:

I want to get one of these 2 engines But what is the difference in features. I know both have tmcc but is 38096 rail sounds better than the 6-18002 engine

Bob;

Don’t have an opinion one way or the other, but the 18002 (which I believe is the 785 gray Hudson) is from 1987 and does not have TMCC - conventional only.

The 38096 is from the Postwar Celebration line. I have one and I run it nonstop. I love it.

Just as said above. That other Hudson does not have TMCC.

One last FYI, the 38096 Hudson comes with a scale sized tender. It will not do 31 curves. I THINK it is rated for 54 at the smallest.

Bob - perhaps @harmonyards will chime in on the mechanical ‘durability’ of each of these engines, an important consideration for many on this Forum.

There’s no comparison between the two, honestly,…..the 38096 is packed with more modern features such as fan smoke unit, full Railsounds, etc, ….the old 18002 if it even works has the very antiquated sound of steam, a mechanical reversing unit, and a puffer type smoke unit. Features vs, features the 38096 has a lot more bang for the buck…..Mechanically speaking, the two are identical in construction, however, the 18002 has a unique drive block that has plates between the drivers and the frame, ……it doesn’t like tighter curves as well as the 773’s do. Just keep that in mind if your curves are tight.

Pat

Hey Pat - Just out of curiosity I tried finding more info about the 6-38096 (#773) by going through the 'Support' section of Lionel's website, but wasn't able to find anything at all about the engine itself.  (BTW, in my 2022 edition of Greenberg's Pocket Price Guide (1901-2022) it doesn't even list this particular product number so I don't even know the specific year it was released).

Anyway, the best I was able to do was find the replacement parts on Lionel's website for this "Engine and Tender" - but it only provides the overview photo and the individual parts listing for the Tender alone.  It also indicates the 'Owner's Manual' is unavailable.

Needless to say, my curiosity was not satisfied.

@PH1975 posted:

Hey Pat - Just out of curiosity I tried finding more info about the 6-38096 (#773) by going through the 'Support' section of Lionel's website, but wasn't able to find anything at all about the engine itself.  (BTW, in my 2022 edition of Greenberg's Pocket Price Guide (1901-2022) it doesn't even list this particular product number so I don't even know the specific year it was released).

Anyway, the best I was able to do was find the replacement parts on Lionel's website for this "Engine and Tender" - but it only provides the overview photo and the individual parts listing for the Tender alone.  It also indicates the 'Owner's Manual' is unavailable.

Needless to say, my curiosity was not satisfied.

The 38096 Hudson is from the Postwar Celebration Series Super O Freight set. So that would explain why it’s not listed on Lionel’s support. It’s part of set # 6-31739. The 38096 is 100% identical to the 6-18058 Century Club.

Pat

Thanks for the info Pat. You’re the Man!

Then there's MTH's 700e #6621 #20-3582-1 Seems to be full length loco and tender A beautiful engine. But then again I'm far from knowing scale Hudsons details

@Bob is cool! posted:

Then there's MTH's 700e #6621 #20-3582-1 Seems to be full length loco and tender A beautiful engine. But then again I'm from knowing scale Hudsons details

MTH did not call their NYC J1e Hudsons 700E. That is strictly a Lionel thing. When Lionel offered the first mass produced “scale” Hudson in the 1930’s, its catalog number was 700E ( or 700K for the kit form ) The cab number of the 700E was 5344. Even MTH’s 707W American Legacy Freight set does not call the locomotive in the set a 700E.

Pat

On the MTh hudson the cab its labeled  J1e

But Its not the famed Lionel 700e

@harmonyards posted:

The 38096 Hudson is from the Postwar Celebration Series Super O Freight set. So that would explain why it’s not listed on Lionel’s support. It’s part of set # 6-31739. The 38096 is 100% identical to the 6-18058 Century Club 773. Both 773’s we’re discussing on this reply are made overseas.

Pat

Just so folks are aware, the Century Club 773 (6-18058) was offered/built in Michigan in 1999. I watched Lionel build them, including mine.

Bob

@Bob Bubeck posted:

Just so folks are aware, the Century Club 773 (6-18058) was offered/built in Michigan in 1999. I watched Lionel build them, including mine.

Bob

Yes, you’re correct, ….I’ve edited that reply,….the 38096 was made overseas…thanks for the correction

Pat