New MTH Hudsons

I got mine yesterday (20-3871-1) from @MrMuffin'sTrains. This is a custom run by Steve, decorated for the Big Four subsidiary of the NYC which operated here in Indiana. Here are some of my pics following unboxing. Looks really good! It's my first MTH steam locomotive, too.

Looks great! How about a video?

Photos of the NYC Hudson pacemaker

I just uploaded a video to my You Tube channel of unboxing and running my Pacemaker Hudson from Trainworld.  I had an issue with a bent drive rod but other than that the engine is great.

I'm normally not a fan of fantasy paint schemes especially when it comes to NYC, but man that is sharp!

They’re beautiful. I want more!

@N'awlins posted:

They’re beautiful. I want more!

There’s more to be had… #5266 is available from @JR Junction Train & Hobby!  The first Hudson to pull the ESE through the elevated Syracuse station!

@CentralFan1976 posted:

There’s more to be had… #5266 is available from @JR Junction Train & Hobby!  The first Hudson to pull the ESE through the elevated Syracuse station!

And a very accurate Hudson I might add!…😉

Pat

We are in process getting our Custom Hudson’s ready for shipping.  Our customers are getting extra stuff packaged with their “Jubilee” Hudson including a customized PS3 PSA sequence and I hope to get them shipped out late this week or next.  Here’s a few photographs of ours:

Note the proper and prototypical flat black smokebox.  A first for a factory-shipped Hudson by MTH.  We made sure this feature was to be on our model.

Proper polished side rods as per prototype.

Note proper J1c designation for the 5266 Hudson.  Was the other road numbers available correctly classified?

Correct New York Central letter font and size.

This New York Central Hudson #5224 bell is in the Central New York Chapter, National Railway Historical Society’s Martisco Station Museum.  MTH even got the dull tarnished look of the bell on the model correct.

Yes, we did our research and MTH Electric Trains came through with a gorgeous model and we couldn’t be more pleased with the results.  Thanks mostly to the expert modelers to help make it happen.

@JR Junction Train & Hobby posted:

We are in process getting our Custom Hudson’s ready for shipping.  Our customers are getting extra stuff packaged with their “Jubilee” Hudson including a customized PS3 PSA sequence and I hope to get them shipped out late this week or next.  Here’s a few photographs of ours:

Note the proper and prototypical flat black smokebox.  A first for a factory-shipped Hudson by MTH.  We made sure this feature was to be on our model.

Proper polished side rods as per prototype.

Note proper J-1c designation for the 5266 Hudson.  Was the other road numbers available correctly classified?

Correct New York Central letter font and size.

This New York Central Hudson #5224 bell is in the Central New York Chapter, National Railway Historical Society’s Martisco Station Museum.  MTH even got the dull tarnished look of the bell on the model correct.

Yes, we did our research and MTH Electric Trains came through with a gorgeous model and we couldn’t be more pleased with the results.  Thanks mostly to the expert modelers to help make it happen.

Research is right… In addition to the above,  the road number has to correct Coffin feed water heater, and is correct having the front class lights mounted, just like the #5266 had that day.

Thanks!

- Mario

BEAUTIFUL GUYS  DID THEY MAK IT IN 2 RAIL ?

THANKS GUYS  JUST FOUND OUT YES THEY DID

These look really great guys, enjoy!

@CentralFan1976 posted:

Research is right… In addition to the above,  the road number has to correct Coffin feed water heater, and is correct having the front class lights mounted, just like the #5266 had that day.

Thanks!

- Mario

I got to hand it to Mario, Phil, and the rest of the Syracuse band, …..they didn’t just want any ol Hudson wannabe …..These fellas stressed on accuracy, and it shows,….they have a real passion for preservation, and this model is proof of that dedication……

Pat

A limited number of gold ones were also produced.  

@DaveSlie is that Hudson gold painted? …it appears to have a flat finish?

Pat

@harmonyards posted:

@DaveSlie is that Hudson gold painted? …it appears to have a flat finish?

Pat

Yes its painted.  Has a slight shine to it.  Similar in finish to the Lionel Gold Polar Express Berk from a few years ago.  The fist gold MTH Hudson was plated, this one is painted.  

Mario, your shorter drawbar makes the difference, great looking engine and customizations. What size drawbar did you use, and was it for 0-72 curves and are they still available on the market? I had installed shorter drawbars on all my PS3 steamers a couple of years ago...those springs and plastic washers bounced everywhere on disassembly of the stock bars but the retrofit of short drawbars was well worth it.

Has anyone seen or purchased the B&A version? It should've been made in a dark green boiler jacket.

@DaveSlie posted:

Yes its painted.  Has a slight shine to it.  Similar in finish to the Lionel Gold Polar Express Berk from a few years ago.  The fist gold MTH Hudson was plated, this one is painted.  

Interesting, ….your’s looks nice,…

Pat

@Paul Kallus posted:

Mario, your shorter drawbar makes the difference, great looking engine and customizations. What size drawbar did you use, and was it for 0-72 curves and are they still available on the market? I had installed shorter drawbars on all my PS3 steamers a couple of years ago...those springs and plastic washers bounced everywhere on disassembly of the stock bars but the retrofit of short drawbars was well worth it.

Has anyone seen or purchased the B&A version? It should've been made in a dark green boiler jacket.

Hi Paul!

We’ve been experimenting with different drawbar lengths and although it comes with a 50mm, 40mm and 35mm seem to work well.  Using one will require the apron to be swung down.  It works fine with our club layout which has generous curves  

IMHO, it looks the best with a 30mm draw bar, with the caveat that it may require some modification to the tender apron for some curves.

Personally, I’m going to use the 30mm for display and 35mm or 40mm for running.

PS- I’ll also be adding a 2-rail pilot truck.

Thanks!

- Mario

@CentralFan1976 posted:

Hi Paul!

We’ve been experimenting with different drawbar lengths and although it comes with a 50mm, 40mm and 35mm seem to work well.  Using one will require the apron to be swung down.  It works fine with our club layout which has generous curves  

IMHO, it looks the best with a 30mm draw bar, with the caveat that it may require some modification to the tender apron for some curves.

Personally, I’m going to use the 30mm for display and 35mm or 40mm for running.

PS- I’ll also be adding a 2-rail pilot truck.

Thanks!

- Mario

@Paul Kallus, this is what one of the club guys (or “band” as Pat put it) just sent me…

”40mm will work with no modification. 35mm will require modification. Not sure yet after modification possibly a 30 mm might be able to be used but I'm not sure yet. We'll have to do the mod and then find out.”

Stay tuned!

@CentralFan1976 posted:

@Paul Kallus, this is what one of the club guys (or “band” as Pat put it) just sent me…

”40mm will work with no modification. 35mm will require modification. Not sure yet after modification possibly a 30 mm might be able to be used but I'm not sure yet. We'll have to do the mod and then find out.”

Stay tuned!

Y’all got to keep in mind though, your curves on your home or club’s layout will dictate what you can or cannot get away with!!,….too  close a drawbar on tighter curves can be disastrous!…..so, careful what you wish for!..,what works on O81 may not work on O72, etc., etc., ……

Pat

It depends on the engine but I have found you can use a drawbar 5mm shorter than what the engine comes with, with no problem on anything 042 or larger. For display just don't attach the drawbar, just move it to one side of the pin.

Pete

Absolutely loving the paint scheme and details on the Trainworld Pacemaker.  Haven't gotten it running yet...so need to work on my layout.

@pbuff posted:

Absolutely loving the paint scheme and details on the Trainworld Pacemaker.  Haven't gotten it running yet...so need to work on my layout.

These are beautiful, but let us know if you have the same quality control issues Art did in his video above.

Thanks,

John

Dave Slie, I just received the gold Hudson today. That definitely is some of their best work. I love the gold paint with the clear coat so much better than gold plating. I hope my wife Loves it as much. We celebrated our 50th. In April. A Shout out to Pat's Trains for having the foresight to have this produced. Great job by all. Thank you, Dave Nichols

I did not have the same quality control issues on my pacemaker; everything looks ok and functions well. 

@Up & Down the Monon posted:

Gorgeous

@Peter Frenzel 010119 posted:

Photos of the NYC Hudson pacemaker

Also gorgeous, is that red color prototypical?

@Arnold D. Cribari posted:

Also gorgeous, is that red color prototypical?

NO

Pat

@ConrailFan posted:

I'm normally not a fan of fantasy paint schemes especially when it comes to NYC, but man that is sharp!

I guess that red pacemaker NY Central paint scheme for this locomotive is not prototypical, is that correct?

Unfortunately, my 031 curves precludes me from getting this magnificent MTH Hudson, which requires at least 042 curves, but if I could run it on my layout, I would opt for the classic prototypical black one.

Please, MTH, make a PS3 Boston & Albany Hudson, Berkshire or Mohawk that runs well through 031 curves and 022 switches. Arnold

@Arnold D. Cribari posted:

Unfortunately, my 031 curves precludes me from getting this magnificent MTH Hudson, which requires at least 042 curves, but if I could run it on my layout, I would opt for the classic prototypical black one.

The K-Line Scale Hudson will run on 031 with the included longer drawbar. No slouch in the looks department either.

Pete

@Norton posted:

The K-Line Scale Hudson will run on 031 with the included longer drawbar. No slouch in the looks department either.

Pete

Thanks, Pete, I already have the K-Line NY Central tank engine, and it has very nice detail. Arnold

@Arnold D. Cribari posted:

Unfortunately, my 031 curves precludes me from getting this magnificent MTH Hudson, which requires at least 042 curves, but if I could run it on my layout, I would opt for the classic prototypical black one.

I’d second Pete’s suggestion for the Kline for your Railroad Arnold, ….as Pete mentioned, it will navigate O31, and on your road, it’ll pull 6-8-10 postwar type cars happily for the rest of it’s life ……many still out there with TMCC, and even some with Kline cruise …..

Pat

@harmonyards posted:

I’d second Pete’s suggestion for the Kline for your Railroad Arnold, ….as Pete mentioned, it will navigate O31, and on your road, it’ll pull 6-8-10 postwar type cars happily for the rest of it’s life ……many still out there with TMCC, and even some with Kline cruise …..

Pat

Thanks, Pat, and by the way, you have a great reputation for being a model train doctor who can fix anything O Gauge.

A note that despite what some folks have been saying the whistle fill is via the hole beneath the whistle.  These are separate smoke units that require separate fill.  MTH did include an applicator to assist in filling the whistle through the hole.

I picked up my Jubilee Hudson yesterday...

Thanks!

- Mario

@MichRR714 posted:

A note that despite what some folks have been saying the whistle fill is via the hole beneath the whistle.  These are separate smoke units that require separate fill.  MTH did include an applicator to assist in filling the whistle through the hole.

The benefits of having the electronics in the Tender, lot of room for multiple smoke units.  I for one like the MTH wireless tether which allows for this.