NYC’s 5344 J1e in her final days Tales from Harmon shops

Well, since you asked...

Below, my Lionel 5344 from the 90's - you can't see it, but this has a re-numbered Lionel PT tender behind it; the odd Vanderbilt is now behind a more appropriate loco. As Pullmors go, it runs well. Must get more chuffs.

I removed the class lights per photos in Staufer's books and probably Know Thy Hudsons. I, too, was aiming at the Last Iteration of 5344.

I do believe that the 5344 received a larger, J3-style sand dome before scrapping, or so one photo I've seen indicates. The Lionel and MTH castings have the smaller, original J1-size domes represented, which I do think were correct right after de-streamlining. Not sure about the top check valve change that was common on the J's - did the 5344 get it?

I have one of the old spoked-driver MTH PS1 "5344" engines that I have yet to touch. Have you noticed that MTH did not get the smokebox door (only) contour NYC-correct? Bugs me. If I ever ERR-upgrade my MTH, I plan to put on a Lionel Hudson or L-3 Mohawk door for a better "face".

(The plastic tubing on my handrail is going; I'll solve the TMCC signal issue, if any, another way.)

Your loco above is gorgeous.

Nice looking model Pat!

Thank you fellas, ....I got a little bit of work ahead of me yet, .....thanks for the suggestions D!....I know I have to say BUH-bye to the class lights, since she came out of dress not wearing them, they need to go, .....I doubt I’ll worry about the sand dome, I could, but that’s getting way involved for such little gain,....if it were a separate riveted or cemented piece, sure, I’d entertain it,.....I’m not sure about the check valve on 5344 either, but the thought crossed my mind too....but that’s half the fun, is doing the research as to what’s available,.....maybe Jack ( HW) has something in the HOT library ( that’s what he calls it) ....he did have a couple good suggestions when I put together the Super........one book believe it or not that I don’t own is “ Know Thy Hudsons” .....it’s on my list of must haves,......I have Stauffer’s book, and some stuff from Richard Leonard, but that’s about it for 5344....again I do have to thank Pete, those rod bolts were plain miserable to make,....without his guidance, I’d still be fiddle fartin’ around .....I’d like to think I can run a machine, but man ,....that cat got me beat!...my best on those rod bolts is 1 out of 3, .....Pete was right, one little ehh off, and they look like .....you know what....mine still aren’t nowhere near nice as his, but they pass,.....barely....😉

Pat

Looks great Pat! D500 your Hudson looks great too!

I wish I would have ordered that book Know Thy Hudsons. Big mistake. I did get the rest of the book in the series. Niagaras and Mohawks.

That looks awesome. I have the mohawk and when I run it my wife comes down and yells because of the smoke it produces. The more smoke the better!

My J1-e (6-18056) is still a very good runner and is on my upgrade list and I'll be keeping a watchful eye on this thread.  I also have the CC PT Tender.

Thanks for starting this!

dennis

Are you still in the middle of another project Pat? I was wondering where this topic got to, haven't been looking at my motivations really good the last few, just popping an eye at things here and there.

@Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:

Are you still in the middle of another project Pat? I was wondering where this topic got to, haven't been looking at my motivations really good the last few, just popping an eye at things here and there.

Yep, I’ve got a couple irons in the fire before I get back to that one, ....still doing a little more research on how things are supposed to look on the model.......there are some changes that need to happen to the boiler shell that I need to engineer a way to to make them look right on a diecast model,......I will update this one as I get things going,......and there are two Hudsons in front of this one,......I really could have kept this thread under wraps, but I wanted to sincerely thank mater builder Pete ( Norton) for lending me his skill set on the art of those rod bolts!...they make the model pop alive!...and if that kinda detail is not there, it’s just another mundane MTH Hudson, ......it took me weeks to master that ,.....😉more to come, and more cool projects on the horizon from the Water Level Route....bout time for a Mohawk build, no??.....one that’s way over the top!...

Pat

It's a wonder how much difference the roller bearing rods make on the model, Pat.

Looking forward to seeing how this project ends.

Echoing what D500 said, I've always been put off by the shape of the boiler door MTH did, as well as the UGLY way they mounted the classification lights...

Will you also be giving the locomotive san-serif lettering, in similar vain Lionel's old 1997 model did?

@Mikado 4501 posted:

It's a wonder how much difference the roller bearing rods make on the model, Pat.

Looking forward to seeing how this project ends.

Echoing what D500 said, I've always been put off by the shape of the boiler door MTH did, as well as the UGLY way they mounted the classification lights...

Will you also be giving the locomotive san-serif lettering, in similar vain Lionel's old 1997 model did?

Well, the good news is, bye bye class lights, ....that’ll all get filled in and smoothed down. The cab number, and the numbers on the tender are incorrect, Lionel got the font right in 97, but they’re too short, they should be just a wee bit taller,......there’s still a few more changes that need to be done, as far as the smoke box door, ....eghhh,...yeah, it’s off a wee bit too, but getting rid of the toy like lens in the headlight and going with a real reflector, and real lens, dramatically changes the front look and will help those picky folks like me,.......this model will depict post Mercury streamlining, after her last shopping, before white lining,......

Pat

Wow Pat, this and Larry's Hudson at the same time!  Come up for some air, take a breather.

Yes sir, Harmonyards loves hudsons, and I’m still looking for the 773 thread. Happy Railroading Everyone