Lionel 763E Minimum Radius

If it's the prewar version, you need O-72 curves. 

While at the show in NJ this past weekend I saw a Lionel 763E laying on a table. I looked at this thing very carefully and see practically NO difference between this and any other big Hudson (773, etc). It has the blind center drive wheel (no flange) so I ask - what is it about this engine that makes it require an 042 curve? I find it VERY hard to believe after what I saw.  ALL my big Hudsons are fine with 031 - what makes this one different. I wish I had one to test out - and after seeing this I will probably go on the hunt for one! I simply do not believe it!

I run the LTI 18002 grey version and the Modern 700-E on super "O"  36" radius no problem,however switches MIGHT be a problem.....joe

The prewar 763 has a scale pilot truck that still requires O-72 curves. It’s basically the same type of pilot truck Lionel offered as a swap in piece with almost all its scale Hudson’s in the 90’s.

The 773 onward was the first scale/semi-scale Hudson with the toy scale (smaller) pilot truck that could allow the engine to negotiate tighter curves.

Originally released in 1937,  763E was designed for wide radius curves only (O-72). Same for any other similar Hudsons of the era.

Unfortunately, Lionel only produced O-31 and O-72 at the time - there was nothing in between, so if it didn't fit O-31, it was destined for O-72, the next curve size.

So all of this because of the front truck!? I think that can be addressed...

fisherdoc posted:

So all of this because of the front truck!? I think that can be addressed...

If you wind up with one having the "scale" wheels, try it on your layout first. They look so much better with the proper pilot wheels. I have an 072 layout, so mine not only has the scale front truck, I re-tendered it with a Lionel PT, as the 5344 had later in life. The Vanderbilt tender doers not belong behind a NYC steamer (ironically....). My 763/5344's Vandy wound up behind a tender-less Lionel SP AC-12 cab-ahead. I converted the tender to oil. It's not really an SP-prototype Vanderbilt (C&O, maybe?), but it sure is closer to proper here than behind a J1e Hudson.

Really bad photo; also, I think I now see all the "bugs" in my layout. Not a current photo; this area is currently undergoing a deep re-do. The window shade is on the way out, too. 

fisherdoc posted:

So all of this because of the front truck!? I think that can be addressed...

Yes, you can swap out the front truck with one of the smaller wheel front trucks from either a 773 or it’s later siblings and negotiate the tighter curve.....I have a pretty big pile of the smaller wheel trucks, I swap them out for scale sized ones.....keep this thread saved, and if you pick up a 763, you can email me and we’ll get you hooked up....I have no use for them....Pat

BMORAN4 is correct...the 763 is indeed intended as advertised for O72 operation....if you like the looks of 763, later Lionel number 785 (6-18002) is very similar in appearance, and usually can be had for a song.....