NYC Classics

Here are a couple of my Dreyfuss Hudsons. First off is an MTH PS3 from the last run a few years ago. Great paint and detail. Close to 3rd Rails but loses minor points in valve gear detail.

Next is my 3rd Rail Dreyfuss. This was purchased previously owned. When it arrived it was very a disappointing runner. Drivers were obviously out of quarter. I purchased it to match the GGD 1940 20th Century Cars. It seems no manufacturers engines match others cars and vice versa. You can see how different the color of this engine is from the MTH engine.
I finally got around to purchasing a quartering tool and today quartered the drivers and shimmed the gearbox. No complaints now. The odd chuff is due to cam anomalies.

This engine has TAS EOB. Runs fairly smooth but with the odd built in momentum “feature”.

The NYC purchased these engines in two batches. The first were delivered with boxpok drivers and plain bearing rods. The second group came with Scullin Disks and roller bearing rods. MTH does the early release while 3rd Rail, Lionel, and Williams Masterpiece have done the later group.

Pete

The last steam locomotives made for the New York Central. The A2a Berkshire. Happy Front End Friday NYC fans!!!

Skip, I really like the A2a Berk and I’m hoping to add one to my collection some day.
I’m visiting my brother this weekend and we set up a ‘carpet central’.  He collects Standard Gauge and I’m into modern O.  We had a great time running our ‘999’s.  Like everyone else, we sure are going to miss MTH.  These wouldn’t exist without them.

Have a great weekend everyone!

@rjsmithindy posted:

Skip, I really like the A2a Berk and I’m hoping to add one to my collection some day.
I’m visiting my brother this weekend and we set up a ‘carpet central’.  He collects Standard Gauge and I’m into modern O.  We had a great time running our ‘999’s.  Like everyone else, we sure are going to miss MTH.  These wouldn’t exist without them.

Have a great weekend everyone!

The A2a was a very interesting P&LE engine that the parent NYC forced them to order 10 of after the P&LE management was already pursuing dieselization. Only 7 were built when the contract was canceled.

Here is my model with it's replacement sneaking up on it.

If You will note the tender is lettered "New York Central System" not "New York Central."  At the top of the coal bin you will see"P&LE."

Ron

@Oscale_Trains_Lover_ posted:

Skip,

That can be attributed to the MTH/Lionel lawsuit, sadly you wont see a Lionel Dreyfuss Hudson for a long time....

Bruk did upgrade a TMCC Dreyfuss to Legacy:
Lionel NYC Dreyfus 6-28084 LEGACY Upgrade-video 8-23-20 | O Gauge Railroading On Line Forum (ogaugerr.com)

As an aside, this is a fantastic thread!

Bryce

Not on topic but related to the lawsuit. I have the Lionel Hudson Mike/MTH used in the lawsuit as an Exhibit for the Plaintiff complete with the Exhibit hang tags. I bought it from him at the MTH parts booth at York a few years back. I even tried to get a copy of the Exhibits list from the court case but the Court documents were sent off to storage long before I made my request and it was virtually impossible to have the file pulled and the documents copied. According to the Court, if the documents were still in the courthouse storage facility, for a small fee it would have been easy.

Mike

Since we’re on the subject of the Dreyfuss Hudsons.....here’s a tough one to find,........#5453 with PT tender, sits alongside ESE # 5426, also equipped with PT tender,....note the roller rods, as this is the only MTH Premier NYC Hudson to receive this treatment,....which is correct for #5453 still in Dreyfuss clothing,...

Pat

Ah, the Dreyfuss Hudson, the one that continues to get away. Yesterday evening I happen to see one on eBay(was late evening yesterday). I took a better look much later and the seller had it on bid, hardly used, former TCA member. Even had the cars that went with it on separate auction. Well, I wanted to read more today which I did at breakfast, but had stuff to do. I pop in just after 1, gone. Argh! The one that still gets away. I think I may lose my mind, lol.

@Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:

Ah, the Dreyfuss Hudson, the one that continues to get away. Yesterday evening I happen to see one on eBay(was late evening yesterday). I took a better look much later and the seller had it on bid, hardly used, former TCA member. Even had the cars that went with it on separate auction. Well, I wanted to read more today which I did at breakfast, but had stuff to do. I pop in just after 1, gone. Argh! The one that still gets away. I think I may lose my mind, lol.

Stop resisting Dave, .....the locomotive anonymous group lied to you about showing restraint. It is indeed a sign of weakness TO resist. So take one Dreyfuss, and call me in the morning,....you’ll feel a lot better,....promise,....

Pat

@harmonyards posted:

Stop resisting Dave, .....the locomotive anonymous group lied to you about showing restraint. It is indeed a sign of weakness TO resist. So take one Dreyfuss, and call me in the morning,....you’ll feel a lot better,....promise,....

Pat

What is really funny, and ironic is if I wasn't so darn tired I was going to message you for your opinion on it, and other such things. Since my buddy showed up, I had a message in my voicemail, and other things to get taken care of(which I still have banking to look at, lol), I didn't get a chance. Was so tired, figured I'd have time today. Well, that went out the window. I'll get there some time soon. Maybe I'll talk to Tony my LTS guy as he always finds stuff. He had gotten an original 1937(I think) Hudson that was posted on here somewhere a few years ago. I do know he has the original B6 model as well as the late 80's or early 90's version in his store. I'll hop the train sometime, just got to get my ticket punched, lol.

@Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:

What is really funny, and ironic is if I wasn't so darn tired I was going to message you for your opinion on it, and other such things. Since my buddy showed up, I had a message in my voicemail, and other things to get taken care of(which I still have banking to look at, lol), I didn't get a chance. Was so tired, figured I'd have time today. Well, that went out the window. I'll get there some time soon. Maybe I'll talk to Tony my LTS guy as he always finds stuff. He had gotten an original 1937(I think) Hudson that was posted on here somewhere a few years ago. I do know he has the original B6 model as well as the late 80's or early 90's version in his store. I'll hop the train sometime, just got to get my ticket punched, lol.

The Lionel 28084 Dreyfuss is another one of those “ diamonds in the rough” ....sometimes the Oddesy can go flaky, but they’re bulletproof drivetrains.......even if you do happen to land one of those, a smoke upgrade, Cruise M and it’s up to snuff in short order,.....also, master builders Bruk & Sid do some amazing Legacy upgrades on those as well,.....every once in a while, one will pop up on the popular sites for 5-600 bucks,.....the 28084 Dreyfuss is mechanically identical to the 28072 J3 & the 38041 J3 ,....that whole family of Hudsons are the best of the best IMO as far as mechanics go,.....

Pat

Happy Grand Central Sunday!!!

@NYC Fan posted:

Happy Grand Central Sunday!!!

Magnificent!

Seems the subject of geeps has come up recently. While I like my steam I do have a few diesels. Lionel from 2008, I believe it may be their first diesel with Legacy.

Pete

Just added one of the late Williams Classic NYC Mikado to the roster.  Runs great!  Lots of added detail on these late engines which come in the silver and red stripe boxes.

Rolland

@Norton posted:

Seems the subject of geeps has come up recently. While I like my steam I do have a few diesels. Lionel from 2008, I believe it may be their first diesel with Legacy.

Pete

My Favorite NYC diesel!

RS11.

Skip, I am a fan of the RS11s as well.

Pete

Happy Tail End Tuesday to all New York Central enthusiasts from Grand Central Terminal on my railroad.

The Lionel CupolaCam NYC Caboose!!! Great looking piece of equipment.

You know, one of the best Cabooses(cabeeses) I've ever bought was one of the mid to late 90's NYC ones. I can remember going to one of the other train stores by me that had mostly other sizes, but managed to carry a good variety of O rolling stock. I would pop in and browse the shelves a while and would eventually find something that tickled my fancy, such was my first purchase there, that NYC caboose.

Unfortunately like all small shops that cater to us train nuts(lovers or what have you), they were pushed out of business. There used to be about 5 around me within 10-25 minutes drive, now only one remains. I miss all those other folks just for who they were. I'll have to see about finding that particular caboose, might take me a while.

@Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:

You know, one of the best Cabooses(cabeeses) I've ever bought was one of the mid to late 90's NYC ones. I can remember going to one of the other train stores by me that had mostly other sizes, but managed to carry a good variety of O rolling stock. I would pop in and browse the shelves a while and would eventually find something that tickled my fancy, such was my first purchase there, that NYC caboose.

Unfortunately like all small shops that cater to us train nuts(lovers or what have you), they were pushed out of business. There used to be about 5 around me within 10-25 minutes drive, now only one remains. I miss all those other folks just for who they were. I'll have to see about finding that particular caboose, might take me a while.

Dave, What type of caboose was it? What color? Logo? Which one?

@NYC Fan posted:

Dave, What type of caboose was it? What color? Logo? Which one?

I'll have to look Skip. I think it is similar to your cam one.

Well, I looked, took not to long, I had thought I found it right away but the other two were more recent purchases. So here it is, the old bugger. I think it says built in 86? I forgot to look closely and remember. It's been a rough work day. At least I got though to the insurance company about my cracked windshield.

Aside from that, I bet you have this same caboose somewhere Skip.

Sorry for the backdrop, this is the back bedroom/storage which is supposed to be emptied to become the layout room. Lots of boxes, they've traveled from room to room over the past 15 years or so.

@Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:

Well, I looked, took not to long, I had thought I found it right away but the other two were more recent purchases. So here it is, the old bugger. I think it says built in 86? I forgot to look closely and remember. It's been a rough work day. At least I got though to the insurance company about my cracked windshield.

Aside from that, I bet you have this same caboose somewhere Skip.

Sorry for the backdrop, this is the back bedroom/storage which is supposed to be emptied to become the layout room. Lots of boxes, they've traveled from room to room over the past 15 years or so.

Dave is this a die cat or plastic body?

Ron

@PRRronbh posted:

Dave is this a die cat or plastic body?

Ron

Plastic.

That was an uncataloged piece. Might have been part of the flyer with the 785 Hudson.

@NYC Fan posted:

That was an uncataloged piece. Might have been part of the flyer with the 785 Hudson.

Well, it's my first O-Scale NYC caboose, and I love it. I guess that may be why I paid what I paid, plus it not being a regular O-Scale dealer at the time.

Happy Thirsty Thursday NYC fans!!!

While we're on a NYC caboose sub-theme, here's a K-Line NYC smoking caboose I've been slowly working on lately, replacing the original incandescent bulbs with some LEDs (from forum sponsor Evan Designs), an LED strip and using GRJ's LED lighting board.

These are / were great when K-Line was around. Wish I bought more.

The interior of the caboose with all new LED's & wiring installed.

Here is where I replaced the marker light bulbs with Evan Designs' all around pico-sized LED's. They fit right into the same hole with no modifications needed to the caboose body.

Testing the lights before buttoning up the caboose.

While in there, I free-hand painted a bit of the one desk & chair visible through the window. And I had a guy that fit well in that chair, that would be the conductor. GRJ's LED driver is tucked into the closet behind the guy. Fits in there perfectly.

Now to put this mess all back together.

Tom

Wow!!! Nice!!!! I was just thinking about doing that to all my cabooses, but didn't know were to start or even how to start.

Here’s one of my favorites, the K-Line J1e NYC Hudson, Pat at “Harmon Yards” re-built this beautiful styled steamer for a renewed service for New Yorkers. This is a really neat thread. Happy Railroading Everyone

Here is a really bad photo of a couple Lionel NYC cabooses in my accumulation.

@GregM posted:

Here is a really bad photo of a couple Lionel NYC cabooses in my accumulation.

How could it be a bad photo? It's New York Central! They are always photogenic.

@GregM posted:

Here is a really bad photo of a couple Lionel NYC cabooses in my accumulation.

I used to think that the Lionel plastic NYC caboose was wrong to have the grabs circle the cupola roof and the ladder rails above the roof but have since come across photos of the B&A and Michigan Central cabeese that in fact look like that. The B&A more so as the Michigan Centrals varied in other ways including Cupola height and window arrangement. The NYC 19000 cabeese did not have the ladders extend above the roof and only corner grabs on the cupola. Lionels 717 and modern die cast cabeese are correct.

Pete

@GregM posted:

Here is a really bad photo of a couple Lionel NYC cabooses in my accumulation.

The B&A Caboose was offered with the 784 B&A Hudson. Was the #6907 offered with the Gray 785 Hudson?

@NYC Fan posted:

The B&A Caboose was offered with the 784 B&A Hudson. Was the #6907 offered with the Gray 785 Hudson?

I haven’t seen the flyer for a long time so I am probably wrong but I think both of those cabooses were offered with the B&A Hudson.  I seem to remember that there was some discussion around whether someone could have the “complete set” if they didn’t have both cabooses.  I only have these cabooses, never got the Hudson or the other cars.

The 17600 NYC caboose is the one that was offered with the 785 Gray Hudson.  I purchased both items from Doug's Train World back in 1988 when they first came out. I still have the receipts that I kept for nostalgia sake. I paid almost $850 for both. Up until then that was the most expensive purchase I ever made in my entire life on trains. That was almost 1/3 of the price that I paid for my first car! A 77 Thunderbird! Boy am I glad mom taught me the value of a dollar or I would have never been able to purchase either.  That price made the Presidential Set I got from Madison Hardware look like nothing!

I wasn't really happy when I unwrapped the new Lionel NYC ten wheeler, because of the funky primer gray boiler front, but it is an incredible locomotive.

The sounds, smoke and whistle steam are great.

Maintenance Of Way Track Cleaning Train. Lionel A5 0-4-0 Switcher pulling, and pushing, 2 North East Trains track cleaning cars (one with track cleaning pads and one with ScotchBrite pads) and a Lionel work caboose.

@NYC Fan posted:

Maintenance Of Way Track Cleaning Train. Lionel A5 0-4-0 Switcher pulling, and pushing, 2 North East Trains track cleaning cars (one with track cleaning pads and one with ScotchBrite pads) and a Lionel work caboose.

I'm more hung up on the Dreyfuss showing off in the corner Skip. Even though both pictures of it are not the iconic face showing itself, you can't help but fall in love with that gray with the New York Central in stripes.

Finished the led lighting conversion on the K-Line caboose I covered earlier, above. I put a light coat of Tamiya Clear Orange X-26 paint on all the leds to give the interior a warmer lighting effect closer to old incandescent lighting. A great trick / tip I learned on this forum. Even though I bought a warm white led roll, it was still too harsh for the look I was going for a 1930's caboose. I'm pleased with the outcome.

The Evan Designs all-around pico sized leds work perfect in the marker lamps on the caboose. No caboose mods are needed and they completely light up the lamps.

Tom