Premier Royal Hudson - Availability & other questions

Hi John. I have the Canadian Pacific # 2851 version that was issued at the same time. Grey and maroon paint. It is a 3v system.  It will go around 0-42 curves, but you have to use the longest drawbar.  Looks ok going around those 0-42 curves.  Not sure if it will do 0-36.  I don't have any curves on my layout that tight. Hope this helps a little.

@rrgeorge posted:

Hi John. I have the Canadian Pacific # 2851 version that was issued at the same time. Grey and maroon paint. It is a 3v system.  It will go around 0-42 curves, but you have to use the longest drawbar.  Looks ok going around those 0-42 curves.  Not sure if it will do 0-36.  I don't have any curves on my layout that tight. Hope this helps a little.

Hi George.

Thank you! If yours is a 3V, the blue one is probably the same, which is good news.

As for the radius, does it look like the front and rear bogy wheels still have a bit of extra wiggle room when it goes around your O-42 curves? Or are they at the very edge of what it looks like they can handle?

Hi John - I don't have 0-42 curves.  I don't remember how looked.  It was sometime ago.  I have large curves.  Smallest curves I have on my layout are 0-80.

I can also speak to this engines function on O42 curves, though its cutting it close, almost too close. Maximum drawbar is a must and even then, I would suggest O54. Note that this locomotive has pickup rollers only on the tender, and none on the engine.
I have two of these premier versions, the maroon one and one in royal blue! I also have the weaver model of this locomotive, again in maroon. I'm fairly certain the MTH model is based from the Weaver version, with minor differences. Note the production version of the engine in question lacks the oil tender. It instead has it's accurate coal tender.
The sound set for these runs was gorgeous. Great PFA, accurate air whistle, and above all an accurate bell!

I have the maroon version of the Railking version of this engine as well, which I've dumped the premier sound set into just for the sounds. The Royal Blue version is on my list to find, but as you said, it is extremely rare.

MTH has released several premier set of cars that go with this train:
https://www.mthtrains.com/products/20-40035
https://www.mthtrains.com/products/20-41035
https://www.mthtrains.com/products/20-4093
https://www.mthtrains.com/products/20-4193

There have also been a limited Railking release:
https://www.mthtrains.com/products/30-69079
https://www.mthtrains.com/products/30-69080

While not accurate to the prototype cars, they are the right color (though I've read there has been some debate about the roof,) and have all the proper graphics.

Weaver released a similar set of Pullman-Bradley cars in this color scheme as well, to go with their Royal Train CN U4a. This is another gorgeous engine, but again almost impossible to find. It took me forever to find the green version of this engine.

@BBasalik posted:

I can also speak to this engines function on O42 curves, though its cutting it close, almost too close. Maximum drawbar is a must and even then, I would suggest O54. Note that this locomotive has pickup rollers only on the tender, and none on the engine.
I have two of these premier versions, the maroon one and one in royal blue! I also have the weaver model of this locomotive, again in maroon. I'm fairly certain the MTH model is based from the Weaver version, with minor differences. Note the production version of the engine in question lacks the oil tender. It instead has it's accurate coal tender.
The sound set for these runs was gorgeous. Great PFA, accurate air whistle, and above all an accurate bell!

I have the maroon version of the Railking version of this engine as well, which I've dumped the premier sound set into just for the sounds. The Royal Blue version is on my list to find, but as you said, it is extremely rare.

MTH has released several premier set of cars that go with this train:
https://www.mthtrains.com/products/20-40035
https://www.mthtrains.com/products/20-41035
https://www.mthtrains.com/products/20-4093
https://www.mthtrains.com/products/20-4193

There have also been a limited Railking release:
https://www.mthtrains.com/products/30-69079
https://www.mthtrains.com/products/30-69080

While not accurate to the prototype cars, they are the right color (though I've read there has been some debate about the roof,) and have all the proper graphics.

Weaver released a similar set of Pullman-Bradley cars in this color scheme as well, to go with their Royal Train CN U4a. This is another gorgeous engine, but again almost impossible to find. It took me forever to find the green version of this engine.

Thanks for the info!

It's not looking good for this thing navigating O-36... which is unfortunate because it's not that much smaller than O-42. I'd somehow like to be able to find out for sure before I drop this much money on one.

And ya, the Railking version seems nearly impossible to find.

I have a Premier Southern Railway Royal Hudson and ran it briefly on O-42 for about a week but lost drive wheel tires twice. Could be coincidence but I did not try it anymore.  I was sort of stunned that MTH did not get enough pre-orders for that last re-run.

@Johnny Winkler posted:

I was sort of stunned that MTH did not get enough pre-orders for that last re-run.

Canadian steam in O-Scale seems to be somewhat of a niche compared to diesels. There have been releases, but they've always seemed to be one run and usually based off a museum or excursion engine. 3rd rail is really the only company that has gone into the weeds with Canadian steam, and even then it was always hyper small runs of specific locomotives (one day I'll find that Selkirk.) Weaver did a few locomotives as well, but again small runs.
The fact that MTH has released 3 separate versions of the CN U-1-f class is impressive to say the least.

It's a pity, as Canadian steam has had some really interesting designs and color schemes. Also there are a lot of excursion engines in the states with Canadian origins. I guess the market just isn't there for it.

The Canadian Toy Train Association CTTA has had a lot of Canadian various steam engines and passenger cars go through our monthly club meetings and club auctions over the years. Most of the above engines and passenger sets mentioned have passed through to new homes in the past.  Members are notified first by e-mail when most estates and collections are available and have first pick before they go to the club meet and auction. If you are looking for rare Canadian stuff it is worth joining to get on the e-mail list, and there is a club website wanted page as well. The club also does limited edition runs of custom club cars and engines.

Both the MTH and Weaver Hudson models are great in full size and Rail King and run well with great sound sets on the MTH.

I rode behind the real Royal Hudson 2839 twice when leased to Southern Railway for their excursion program in 1979-80.  It was an impressive sight in the hills of east Tennessee. It was an excursion star way back then but I guess it has been too long to spark any O scale interest outside Canada sadly.