Tell me what you think about a 6-8406 NYC Hudson from 1984.

Some run OK and some are dogs - run slowly. The paint is fond of falling off, but it is a good solid scale Hudson. What is the asking price?

I can get it for $250.00.

That's probably a good deal if the loco is in good condition. It's not a super-dooper deal, though. This loco is 34 years old and probably the most basic of the scale Hudsons out there. The important thing is if you think it is a good deal.

FYI, Lionel does not list one part for that engine.  The price seems ok.  Remember, that engine only had the sound of steam.    That engine is a looker and well worth a DCS (Timko) or ERR conversion.

JDFonz posted:

I have a chance to purchase a NYC Lionel Hudson for what I think is a good deal. It runs, and looks good. We’re there any issues with this 1984 locomotive? It has the sounds of steam, no TMCC.

You've already picked-up on the big weakness of the piece -- the Sound of Steam. You can always replace it with something newer, but if you decide to keep it, be sure to check the foam pad that is supposed to insulate the board in the tender from the metal frame. In many (or most), the foam has deteriorated, allowing the underside of the board to potentially ground out to the frame. I'd recommend using some newer double-sided foam tape between the board and frame to keep them separated.

And other than the cheesy plastic coupler on the rear of the tender, it's a very solidly built piece.

RoyBoy posted:

Some run OK and some are dogs - run slowly.

I hear this a lot about Lionel's Pullmor-powered Hudsons, but I think I understand the source of confusion. All Pullmor Hudsons (going back to the prewar 700E) are geared much higher so that they run at a scale speed. If you compare them to just about any other Lionel loco, you'd think they were "dogs" that "run slowly." In modern parlance, that's a feature not a bug! I've had at least a dozen of the various modern era models pass through my hands, and I don't think I would describe any as operating poorly -- just differently.

Marty Fitzhenry posted:

FYI, Lionel does not list one part for that engine.

Actually, they list a bunch of parts for the locomotive, but there's a quirk to looking this one up. Because Lionel originally planned to produce the locomotive in 1983, the parts are all under 600-8306 instead of the catalogued 8406. Coupled with how many parts this locomotive shares with the postwar 773 (and even a few with the prewar 700E), there are few parts that you'd have trouble locating either from Lionel or an aftermarket supplier.

I had one. No Magnetraction and no traction tires.

Hal

I believe when I looked at the instruction paper it talked about magna-traction. I thought it had that.

For 250, I would go for it. Parts are not a problem. At it's time, it was the best money could buy, Magne-traction, Sound of steam, electronic whistle, die cast metal tender. They can made to run very well if it doesn't. I have one that I super detailed and has all the detail parts of a 700E with the exception of solid wheels to keep the Magne-traction. I also added a Hudson railsounds to the tender.

HMS2035 posted:

I had one. No Magnetraction and no traction tires.

Hal

The 6-8406 "783" definitely had Magne-Traction.

You might be thinking of the 6-18002 "785" or 6-18005 "5340" that had the die-cast, open-spoked drivers. No Magne-Traction or traction tires on those.

TRW

All the 700E-based Hudsons were/are good pieces of equipment. Generally built like household appliances. Good gearing. Proper scale; easy to detail if you wish. The 783 had iron drivers (less realistic) with Magnetraction, the 785 had the more accurate spoked drivers with steel tires that had no M'traction. The fully-detailed, re-issued 700E #5340 is gorgeous, and usually runs well. All were Pullmor equipped, which is not ideal, but they usually run well. You don't need Magnetraction unless you have too-steep grades or too-long trains. 

As TRW said, the 783 definitely has magnetraction.  It actually has more magnets than the 1950 original. As far as why some are perceived to run poorly: I've personally had two examples where one of those magnets shifted, and was rubbing on a drive wheel, acting as a brake.  Some people have managed to recenter the magnet.  I think when I'm ready to tackle mine I'm just going to remove the offending magnet altogether.  

You won't encounter the rubbing magnet problem with the grey 785 or the 1-700E because these were NOT magnetraction.  However, I've found that my 785 seems to run better on wider curves.  Perhaps the chassis with spoked driving wheels is gauged a little wider because Lionel assumed use on O42 or greater track.  So if you're limited to O31 or O36, the 783 might be a better choice.  Yes it'll make it around those sharp curves, but there will be a ton of overhang!

Another thing...  I find all of these Hudsons to be "tight."  They loosen up with more run time.  So if you buy it, go over it thoroughly and then let it run!  You'll be happier after it's broken in.

As to the cost:  These have come way down in price because they occupy an odd space in the hobby.  Their scale dimensions cause them to appear oversized and out of place on a "tradtional" layout.  Yet they lack the detail, sound, and generally smoother operation of scale trains that were made after 2001.  That leaves the main reason to buy one as nostalgia.  Only you can decide how much that means to you, and how much you're willing to pay.   My $.02.

One more thing... I also remember reading that the 783's were a little noisier due to a motor bearing(?) issue, that was corrected on the 784 and later models.  It wasn't a deal breaker, and you can fix it yourself with readily available parts.  Maybe someone else here can supply the details.

If you buy it find the cars that went with it as well as the caboose from the next year. Kind of a nice set.

I have the caboose, I was not aware of any special cars.

 The two page spread on 783 in the 1984 catalog featured four NYC marked standard "O" cars, and a five car set of smooth sided NYC aluminum passenger cars.
Everything was sold separately.

Here is my 783.

Looks great, Chuck. I've seen some "how-to's" and I wish I had the patience to do it.

My own 783 has the flaking paint on the Tender deck and a dead SOS (no loss). I found a plastic 700T shell, made a frame and installed a postwar whistle and a Flyer "choo-choo". That's MY idea of a sound system.

Mine doesn't like curves under 042, and the magnetraction is pretty weak. That's a "one of these days" project.