Lionel Postwar Hudsons

Bob - I have a 2056. If you want a good runner, I'd hold off for a 2046. The lack of magnetraction or traction tires is a problem for pulling and also for tipping around corners. 

Have you considered a Golden Memories reproduction by Williams?  I had a HAVE TO HAVE mentality with a post-war Berkshire, but decided to get the modern near-equivalent.

IMHO, condition is everything, including whether it has been touched up, polished, etc.

Also, be aware that the 2046W tender shells have been reproduced, and are extremely common. I would want one with an original tender shell.

Do the pieces come with boxes (and liner for then engine box)? Once again, be aware that many postwar boxes have been reproduced.

Besides cosmetics you have to consider run time. I have quite a few Post War Hudsons including Santa Fe types. I think they both had the same drive but different E unit location. Gear and gear spindle wear can greatly affect running. The bearing surfaces on the idler gears wear and allow the gear to rub on the wheels. They can be rebuilt but its not for the novice and should be factored into the price. I'd suggest holding off until you find one at a show or store where you can run it. BTW I have seen very nice ones nowadays going for around $125.

Pete

I have a 2046, and it's one of my favorite locomotives (the other one is my 736).  It looks great, it runs great and it's an excellent smoker.  I paid $185 for mine, and it's in superior condition, as is its original tender.

I've never owned a 2056, so I can't comment on them.

if you can wait and look around, you will find both for less

else where.

I picked up a 2056 w/ tender fior $100 with a box of other

items.

I picked up a 2046 at the recent Syracuse Train Show at the New York State

fairgrounds for $55. Dealer had $60 on it and gave it to me for $55.

I beleave the dealer prices at shows have come way down because they are

getting tired of lugging trains from show to show and want to sell something.

just went to the RIT(Rochester Inst of Tech) Tiger Tracks Train Show in Rochester New York. dealers there were very happy to except just about any thing you offered as they wanted to sell. they must have been selling, because I saw everybody coming out with a bag of stuff.

Keep looking, I think $200 is a little much, But if you cant wait, then go for it.

Act fast if you want a real deal on a 2046 clone - the 8600 from 1976.  HERE ON eBay.  Only $75 with tender & boxes as of this writing.

I would have bid, but I already have 2.  They are great runners.

I agree don't overlook the early MPC baby Hudsons, I use a 8603 C&O on my layout

For 200 dollars it should be all original with nice boxes.C7 or better.

That was the non-magnetraction 8206.

Definitely try to find a decent 2046. To me, the condition of the exterior is more important than the condition of the interior. Part of the fun of postwar steam is to refurbish and rebuild the motor and replace internal parts.

Thanks everyone for your input.  Should have added that the Hudsons are original and do include the boxes.

RWH (Bob)

I have a 2046 that is a wonderful runner and smoker. When I first got it, it hadn't been run in over 40 years. But all it needed was a good clean-&-lube, a new headlamp bulb, and it runs as sweetly as the day it was made.

Prices on Ebay get crazy around the holidays.  I'd wait until next year if you can hold out.

Don

I have an original not a replica of the 2046 that my folks paid about $24. for.  Still runs like a champ.  That after hitting the concrete floor more than once.  You won't be disappointed. 

How about the Conventional Classics remake on the For Sale forum?

https://ogrforum.com/d...nt/11707689407001961

Still runs like a champ. That after hitting the concrete floor more than once. You won't be disappointed.

My 2046 has also been sent flying off my train table and onto the floor twice ... by young children. Only damage was a bent cab roof corner (I'm afraid to try to bend it back [adds character, anyway lol]). But she's tight and runs as nothing happened.

My small 2046 set was given to my brother when he was a very small child in1949, I believe.

Its a great engine .... a great runner ... and the sights, sounds & aromas.

I have a 2056 that I did some work on, it's a good runner but as someone said, condition is everything.   Make sure the 2046W whistling tender is included and it works for that kind of money.  The 2056 was only made in 1952.  The tender should be the 'longer' streamlined one and make sure the steps are not broken off.  Very common.  The 2056 is relatively easy to disassemble and work on too, even though it has nice valve gear.  Has the smoke unit been rebuilt?  How new are the brushes?  Make sure the wheels move freely. Definitely test run it and make sure the axles are not bent.  It will be obvious when you move the drive wheels with your finger and watch the rims go 'in and out' if they are bent.  Also sometimes the eccentric screws get bent.  Make sure the side rods don't bind.  

Good luck with your hunt! 

I would think at today's prices you could get a real nice one, without boxes for around $150-165.  As I tell my kids, never be in a hurry to spend money.

2046W tender with 'guts' out.    

2056 chassis, eunit on right end, make sure it works and has no bent 'fingers' 

2056 with smoke unit uninstalled for rebuild, not hard to do even for a beginner

If I wanted a runner, I would buy either the Williams reissue or the Lionel Conventional Classics reissue. Just for the smooth running, even though I am a postwar guy, sometimes newer is better. 

If you want a 2046 you've got a budget that will get you a nice one. Just be patient. They're nice runners and if you get a relatively fresh one, it will do you well for many years.

Tim

MPC Lionel made a number of baby Hudson's, all clones of the PW engines. Yes 8206 is the one that wobbles....Jim

The MPC 8206 and 8603 were the small Hudsons(both with Baldwin Discs - 1st use of them since 1949) based on the 665/685/2055/2065.  The 8600 was the first modern era loco with MagneTraction and was based on the larger 2056/2046/646 using the 226E/726/736 boiler casting.

The 2046 series has a really nice proportion and appearance compared to the smaller models.  They all run well, but not quite as smoothly as the prewar 226/226E mechanism, probably due to the non-ferrous motor frames.

if the 8206 wobbles, why does it wobble?

and is there an easy fix so it doesnt wobble.

Some of the 8206 engines were made with axle holes off center.  Short of replacing the offending wheel, I suppose you could machine and build up the circumference to be true to the axle as long as you don't mind the resulting appearance.

if the axle holes in the wheels were cut off center,

why wouldnt replacing the wheels work??

Replacing the wheel does work.

As an alternative, short of replacing the offending wheel, I suppose you could go to extra lengths to machine and build up the circumference of the bad wheel to be true to the axle as long as you don't mind the resulting appearance.

The 8206 ran from 1972 to 1975.

From my own experience, not all of them wobble, and I suspect that it was the earlier models that did. In part due to the fact that this was the first steamer with 6 drivers made in Mt. Clemens.

The 8206 is a engine that runs well, yet should be purchased in-person, and where you can give it a test run due to the wobble issue. 

The 8600 had the benefit of it's prototype being made in Hillside by some of the original Lionel shop workers.

Ken