MrMuffin'sTrains announces a Custom Run Lionel Legacy NYC J3a Hudson

I think I know the answer but I will ask anyways. Can I get one just like this except with class lights? I know it's not likely as you can't make every possible configuration desired. If not though, will it be possible to get new boxpok drivers from Lionel? 

I'm speaking from preference, not necessarily from prototypical correctness so there is no reason to debate. My best option is likely one of the two offered in the catalog with the PT tenders and change the drivers myself if they are available.

Randy_B posted:

I think I know the answer but I will ask anyways. Can I get one just like this except with class lights? I know it's not likely as you can't make every possible configuration desired. If not though, will it be possible to get new boxpok drivers from Lionel? 

Why not get this one and then trade someone who has bought one of the Lionel Catalog items with Class lights and swap fronts? I think there are more than a few of us willing to do that.

Pete

Free Shipping?  You guys are really making it hard to stay on the sidelines with all these Hudsons.

I'm not sure what is involved with adding lights but it seems like it would be easier to swap the drivers if they aren't pressed on. I will probably go with the all disc one in the case that boxpok wheels are not available as I don't want to end up with mixed, prototypical or not.

Randy_B posted:

I'm not sure what is involved with adding lights but it seems like it would be easier to swap the drivers if they aren't pressed on. I will probably go with the all disc one in the case that boxpok wheels are not available as I don't want to end up with mixed, prototypical or not.

First you have assume Lionel will sell you drivers without the frame. Currently you have to buy the complete frame for the earlier J3s to get the drivers. Then assume they haven't used loctite on the screws. They did use Loctite on the TMCC drivers so you will want to buy new screws in case you have to drill some out. BTDT.

I would be surprised if Lionel omitted the Class LEDs even on the fronts without markers. It should be just a matter of swapping fronts and inserting the LEDs in the markers.

I actually have a front from 5444 that I would be willing to swap for a front without the class lights. Number plates and headlights are screwed on to the front so changing them out is no big deal.

Thats why I have suggested Lionel just include both styles of fronts with the engine and eliminated most of the discussion about this matter.

Pete

If the wiring was the same for all of them in the case of the lights and they're easily changed to exactly match ones produced with them then that's a possibility. I wasn't sure what all would be involved with the drivers and that sounds much more involved. It's just a little frustrating that there are now 6 variants and not one checks all of the boxes.

Lionel had made the drivers available for separate sale when they messed up the J3 from 2001. They delivered the engine with disc wheels when they were catalog with boxpok. I had purchased a few sets. It took 25 minutes to change them out. The drivers are held on with a Philips screw. I'm sure if Lionel wanted to satisfy everybody, they would make the various drivers available for anybody that wanted a certain look.

NVisich posted:

Lionel had made the drivers available for separate sale when they messed up the J3 from 2001. They delivered the engine with disc wheels when they were catalog with boxpok. I had purchased a few sets. It took 25 minutes to change them out. The drivers are held on with a Philips screw. I'm sure if Lionel wanted to satisfy everybody, they would make the various drivers available for anybody that wanted a certain look.

Good to know. 

My attention is firmly grabbed. I will have to get in on this for sure because it is just one of those grand things to be in on. P.S., where's the thumbs up on my phone????

I had that engine from 2001, the traction tires were on the center driver and the engine bobbed up and down, rocked back and forth.  Order the kit and the traction tire was one the rear driver.  The mod was more than changing out the wrong drivers than what was cataloged.

MrMuffin'sTrains posted:

superwarp1 posted:

First Pic from the Rutland RR FB page, second photo from Richard Leonard's collection

Thank you so much for these pictures. 

I got my order in last night.  I think I can speak for many of us when I say Thank you!!!!! for getting this done for us!!!!   Maybe when they arrive I can bring a few friends out and to see your place and pick it up.  Thanks again Sir!

jeremy ferrell posted:

MrMuffin'sTrains posted:

superwarp1 posted:

First Pic from the Rutland RR FB page, second photo from Richard Leonard's collection

Thank you so much for these pictures. 

I got my order in last night.  I think I can speak for many of us when I say Thank you!!!!! for getting this done for us!!!!   Maybe when they arrive I can bring a few friends out and to see your place and pick it up.  Thanks again Sir!

Our pleasure - happy to help..... I hope you do visit..... 

Is there a limited number of these being produced Steve?

My order is in. Thank you Mr. Muffin's Trains for getting what we all wanted. 

RickO posted:

Is there a limited number of these being produced Steve?

The minimum number that we need to order is 25 with Lionel.... I am under the understanding that I can bump that number up some as long as I do it before the catalog order date which is 3/08... So, we will make at least 25 of these.... I don't want anyone to miss out, however, I will not be ordering extras..... 

Norton posted:

Randy_B posted:

I think I know the answer but I will ask anyways. Can I get one just like this except with class lights? I know it's not likely as you can't make every possible configuration desired. If not though, will it be possible to get new boxpok drivers from Lionel? 

Why not get this one and then trade someone who has bought one of the Lionel Catalog items with Class lights and swap fronts? I think there are more than a few of us willing to do that.

Pete

Right here, I’ll trade ya out!....lol........Pat

MrMuffin'sTrains posted:

RickO posted:

Is there a limited number of these being produced Steve?

The minimum number that we need to order is 25 with Lionel.... I am under the understanding that I can bump that number up some as long as I do it before the catalog order date which is 3/08... So, we will make at least 25 of these.... I don't want anyone to miss out, however, I will not be ordering extras..... 

When the minimum of 25 have been ordered Steve, will you let us know on here?

John Rowlen posted:

Is it possible to have this engine come with two boiler fronts, one with classification lights and another without?

Another dealer is including both fronts with his Hudsons.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

mr muffins is offering an exact representation of 5415, as it ran on the NYC for us scale/rivet counter types.  Why offer class lights when it never had them.  If you want them order from the other dealer.

Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:

MrMuffin'sTrains posted:

RickO posted:

Is there a limited number of these being produced Steve?

The minimum number that we need to order is 25 with Lionel.... I am under the understanding that I can bump that number up some as long as I do it before the catalog order date which is 3/08... So, we will make at least 25 of these.... I don't want anyone to miss out, however, I will not be ordering extras..... 

When the minimum of 25 have been ordered Steve, will you let us know on here?

I’m pretty sure Steve will order as many as he has orders for, weather that’s 25 or 50. With Lionel more than happy to produce but with a deadline of 3/8/19 to get orders in.  I’m guessing by Christmas?

I am almost to 25 now, so keep them coming.... happy to order from Lionel whatever you guys pre-order.... 

Our C420 special runs are filling up too.... really exciting.... 

Another question.  Weathering, can these be sent out to someone before delivery to the customer?  Maybe Harry Hieke?

superwarp1 posted:

Another question.  Weathering, can these be sent out to someone before delivery to the customer?  Maybe Harry Hieke?

Really up to Harry. We have had customers arrange weathering with him and we’ve shipped the engines to him directly. 

That's perfect, thanks.

Just placed my order for #5415!

Traveling last few days so missed the post on first day.  I had a hard time picking which J3a to pre-order. I decided & ordered #5405 last week. Now I guess I'll be getting 2 this year....wife will go ballistic (if I'm still married by then)!

Doug

Bulldog_65 posted:

Just placed my order for #5415!

Traveling last few days so missed the post on first day.  I had a hard time picking which J3a to pre-order. I decided & ordered #5405 last week. Now I guess I'll be getting 2 this year....wife will go ballistic (if I'm still married by then)!

 

Doug

Thats the spirit!!

Steve is at 22 orders,  almost there to go forward with the project. I would say he’s ahead of schedule 

I ordered my 5415 earlier today, February 8, 2019.  The email from Mr. Muffins said they had 22 pre-orders. Mine would make another at 23 or more.  It should be a beautiful engine.  For all the trains in my collection, the only Hudsons are the Empire State Express #5426 and #5429 with plated tenders that pull my two sets of 21" NYC ESE passenger cars.

It will be good to have steam engines for pulling freight; this #5415 and the #5416 Hudson are pre-ordered.  It will be a busy Christmas season with their arrivals.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

I also ordered today from Mr Muffin so I guess we are at at least 24 

I liked SuperWarp1 idea of having it weathered

We topped 33 tonight. Pretty exciting. 

MrMuffin'sTrains posted:

We topped 33 tonight. Pretty exciting. 

Now that is VERY EXCITING news. Thanks again Mr. Muffin's Trains for being a ground breaking in getting this engine out there for us to have.

I would like to point out that there are two different price points for these engines - the lower one is $1399.99 list with the 12 wheel tender, and the upper one is $1499.99 with the PT Tender with the simulated water blow down..... we are discounting the special run we are doing with the PT Tender 10% off of MSRP - or $1349.99

Here are our prices for the other J3a's :

• Lionel L-1931450 New York Central LEGACY J3 #5405 - with 12 wheel tender - sale priced at $1259.99
• Lionel L-1931460 New York Central LEGACY J3 #5413 - with PT Tender - sale priced at $1349.99
• Lionel L-1931470 New York Central LEGACY J3 #5418 - with 12 wheel tender - sale priced at $1259.99
• Lionel L-1931480 New York Central LEGACY J3 #5452 - with PT Tender - sale priced at $1349.99
• Lionel L-1922050 New York Central Pacemaker set J3 #5410 - with 12 wheel tender - with 4 heavyweight passenger cars and sale priced at $1799.99

If you'd like NYC J3a #5410 without the passenger cars, I will do a set breakup and sell just the engine to you, for the first three guys that ask, at the $1259.99 price. Order one here.

33?  Wow...  soon you should think about offering a SECOND cab number!  I am sure there are alot more like me who take all the time up to order deadline to decide what to get!

Super O Bob posted:

33?  Wow...  soon you should think about offering a SECOND cab number!  I am sure there are alot more like me who take all the time up to order deadline to decide what to get!

 

Interesting idea - the second cab number.... we are at 37 this evening.... 

MrMuffin'sTrains posted:

Super O Bob posted:

33?  Wow...  soon you should think about offering a SECOND cab number!  I am sure there are alot more like me who take all the time up to order deadline to decide what to get!

 

Interesting idea - the second cab number.... we are at 37 this evening.... 

Rather than another cab number just lobby Lionel to include a marker free smokebox front with every engine. That alone would sell significantly more than 37 engines.

Pete

Norton posted:

MrMuffin'sTrains posted:

Super O Bob posted:

33?  Wow...  soon you should think about offering a SECOND cab number!  I am sure there are alot more like me who take all the time up to order deadline to decide what to get!

 

Interesting idea - the second cab number.... we are at 37 this evening.... 

Rather than another cab number just lobby Lionel to include a marker free smokebox front with every engine. That alone would sell significantly more than 37 engines.

Pete

Yep, this would surely help the catalogued locomotives sell better...........Pat

Norton posted:

MrMuffin'sTrains posted:

Super O Bob posted:

33?  Wow...  soon you should think about offering a SECOND cab number!  I am sure there are alot more like me who take all the time up to order deadline to decide what to get!

 

Interesting idea - the second cab number.... we are at 37 this evening.... 

Rather than another cab number just lobby Lionel to include a marker free smokebox front with every engine. That alone would sell significantly more than 37 engines.

Pete

But, Steve already did lobby Lionel and put his money where his mouth was. He went on the hook for a whole bunch of expensive engines without marker lights.  Why would he lobby for everyone else to get the same thing he’s already financially committed to provide for his customers?

Rider Sandman posted:

Norton posted:

MrMuffin'sTrains posted:

Super O Bob posted:

33?  Wow...  soon you should think about offering a SECOND cab number!  I am sure there are alot more like me who take all the time up to order deadline to decide what to get!

 

Interesting idea - the second cab number.... we are at 37 this evening.... 

Rather than another cab number just lobby Lionel to include a marker free smokebox front with every engine. That alone would sell significantly more than 37 engines.

Pete

But, Steve already did lobby Lionel and put his money where his mouth was. He went on the hook for a whole bunch of expensive engines without marker lights.  Why would he lobby for everyone else to get the same thing he’s already financially committed to provide for his customers?

I’m not 100% sure where you were going with this, and I can’t speak for Steve’s business model, but I also can’t see where offering a second boiler front in the regular cataloged line would hurt anything or anyone. Infact, it would help the other locomotives move.The folks that ordered the special Hudson from Steve, I would think ordered for more reasons than just the boiler front....those orders are comitted by the customer who placed the BTO special custom run. Steve has added another SKU to his product line in his store. Now add the desired part to the rest of the SKU’s, and those people on the fence for a specific cataloged SKU, will be more likely to purchase the model they want.......correct me if I’m wrong, but the name of the game in retail sales is volume. Not just from a single custom SKU.......not picking a fight Sandman, just seeing if I’m on your frequency or not..........Pat

What is cool about second cab number is that you can cut sales off at 25 on each one.  It maintains the exclusivity and collectability.  Plus no doubt you might get guys who want to doublehead them and order more than one.

I would rather have 1 of 25 of a great hudson, than one of 48! 

And i personally know several guys who would buy more than one cab number...  lots of us want hudson to come out of the box with NO class lights...

The demand is there, lionel minimum of 25 only helps you...