Pulling power of brass Masterpiece hudson

Nick's locomotive doesn't have limited pull.  The specific Golden Gate Depot cars he's trying to pull are about as free rolling as a brick.

Then I guess my friend (who had the same problem) has an MTH Dreyfuss Hudson with expanded brick pulling capability.

Just received one of these last month from an auction on Da Bay; have had the Dreyfuss

version for years, and ran it for the first time recently. Both are due for ERR CC and

RS. 

 

Gorgeous locos; love the big, scale-sized leading truck wheels (072 only; why cannot L

and M provide two leading trucks or truck wheel sets on $1000 locos for those of us with big curves...I ask yet again).

 

Anyway, the detailing and paint looks like 3rd Rail (same builder at the time?), but the

loco feels more robust in handling.

 

Note that this Williams is the loco that Lionel used in the catalogue photo some years back when they announced their own (and beautiful) J3a.

 

Mine came with the original 1995 brochure; the loco appeared to have never been even

test run.

 

Per the brochure, the 1995 price of this loco - with just a reversing unit and really awful "sound" - was $1495 ("Early Buy" price of $1295). No command, cruise, Electrocouplers,

moving bells and whistles. Fifteen hundred 1995 bucks. I got it, NIB, for $420. Score!

It really is one of the best-looking NYC Hudsons around. Be nice to it.

 

The brochure also showed the new die-cast scale NYC Hudson: $649 - $749 (and a poor runner!), plus the last, I guess, of the Williams brass Challengers ($1295 - $1595)

with headlight and smoke. Woo-hoo!

 

I have the die cast Williams scale Hudson and it also is a great puller compared to MTH and K-Line Hudsons.  One of the advantages of the Williams model is four traction tires where the K-Line and MTH models have just two traction tires.  Applying grease to the gearbox of the Williams Hudson is, however, a major headache involving removal of the locomotive's shell.  MTH Hudson maintenance is substantially easier.

 

 

 

Ted, being the MTH is die-cast metal where 3rd Rail is brass, I have to imagine it already has the necessary weight that mine needs added. I have also heard in the past that MTH uses an especially robust Pittman motor model.

BTW, is this the same gentleman that Hot Water mentioned converted one to TMCC to pull the train?

Nick

 

I agree that the weight of a diecast boiler along with a large motor and a sturdy gear box makes for a good puller and MTH seems to be very consistent in putting all those elements together in their premier steam locomotives.

 

No, they are different people.  My friend definitely still has the Proto 2 electronics in his Hudson.  He wouldn't downgrade it. 

I am not sure the motor or gearing come into play unless your actually stalling.  If wheels are slipping than traction is the issues.

 

MTH is a direct worm gear drive on an Axle worm wheel.

 

If the engine is stalling or just can't gain any speed with a heavy load, than the issue can be the motor size and shorter life working at those higher amps.   G

Well Ted, I'll be "downgrading" an MTH Premier Mohawk sometime in the future. I'll let you know when the refuse that I clean out of it is up for sale

Ron, Great video. I have been on the fence regarding upgrading mine to command but after seeing how well yours pulls it will be getting PS2. 

BTW If Lionel offered Legacy upgrade kits then I could see a debate over TMCC vs DCS but they don't. Removing PS2 to install Railsounds 4 is definitely a downgrade. My $.02.

 

Pete

Unfortunately for true operators with long trains the Lionel Pullmors did exactly what they were designed to do - pull a couple of traditionally matching cars in the pre/postwar "outfit" tradition.

Anyway, the simple physics of the matter are weight, center of gravity, and motor power. As has been discussed in my own thread the 3rd Rail model likely needs a simple adjustment in those first two parameters (and I will report on my findings once the model arrives from the seller). I have seen the Pittman motor in my 3rd Rail Super J3a and while I don't know how it stacks up against MTH motors, it is still a huge motor so I can't imagine it is underpowered. Control systems have little or nothing to do with it, all tounge-in-cheek bashing aside

great video Ron, thank you. It is a beauty and well worth the upgrade. Mine has TMCC and Railsounds. Always impresses me when I run it. 

Glad you are having fun with it!