Remember Hudson Products?

Billy,        Hate to hear of your experience with Hudson Products.  The times I saw their engines were at some of the train shows in Houston back in the 90's.  They were great looking engines, brass, and I remember them as being various Hudson streamlined engines.  Never did purchase one due to not being familiar with the products, and for same price I could get Weaver brass, and was more aware of the quality.

Jesse     TCA

Hi Billy, I'm sorry you got burnt with your Hudson, it just goes to show how careful we have to be when dealing with people we don't know. Are you sure it was not a pay as you go deal from the get-go?

That said, if all else fails think about using your parts in an engine shop model. You could have the boiler being moved back and forth above the shop floor via an over head crane, operated by a switch located along the side of your platform. The inside back drop of the shop could be the guts of an old beat up engine with the boiler removed, or a photo of something similar.

Sometimes if you try to make a silk purse out of a sows ear you end up with ham hocks. I really doubt if your going to have much success in a mix and match projects. It's like trying to rebuild a Ford with Chevy parts. It can be done. But, is it worth the effort?

Remember the best vengeance for a bad deal is to end up with more then you started with. 

In any case, good luck!

bring back memories? ...

interesting pricing strategy.

nice model...

cheers...gary

Actually dropping a Chevy small block V8 in to a Ford hot roda with a GM tranny has been done often.  Try to sell the parts on the Forum.

The bargain for Lionel Hudsons is now the 1-700E.  As far as I can tell it tracks the 700E in detail, and needs only scale flanges to compete on an appearance basis.

Maybe the Williams 773 clone is in the same ballpark - I am tempted to pick one up when I see a bargain.  I did get the MTH Hudson, and it required a new frame, cylinder block, and drivers to make me happy - and lots of boiler belly stitching.  But it now pleases me, and someday Matt is going to come down and do a factory reset, so I can hear the whistle and bell.

As near as I can tell, Hudson Products stuff was all pewter - a bit softer than good zamac, but not subject to zinc pest.  Unload it on eBay.

Opinion.

Overlander, I remember that order form well, ( I forgot I paid that much) I paid the total for the kit upfront so I also have the display stand.  The photo was pinned above my desk for several years...until I finally gave up hope of ever getting the balance of my order. $755!  That was a lot then....wonder what that would be in today's dollars?

I did learn to be very careful of who I trust

Even if complete the engine was junk. It looked ok from the outside but it was not inside. It was poorly built with inferior made parts. Not worth the money they were charging. 

Plus as I stated when they were being advertised not to buy them unless you see it and can test it before laying one dollar down to all my friends.  Not one was sold to anyone in my circle of friends. 

Sorry for those who got hosed but know what you are buying before laying out cash. 

I'd wouldn't mind having a nice Hudson Products locomotive as a collector's item, but so far I have not seen one at a price I am willing to pay.

Lately I've watched some Lionel 18005 Hudsons in new, or near new condition go for around $400 dollars on EBay.  If I was looking for a Hudson to run, I go for one of those.