What Hudson do you run with your GGD Empire State Express?

I guess I'm a bit confused when you state that the "color of the locomotive and cars doesn't even come close to matching", since the ESE train was a polished stainless steel consist. Although the NYC did have two streamlined Hudsons built to specifically handle the ESE streamliner, ever their "colors" didn't quite match perfectly.

I have the K-Line 21" scale ESE 11 or 12 car train set, and either haul it with an MTH ESE streamlined Hudson, or a black Niagara. Both combinations look splendid with that long stainless train.

The silver on the loco and the cars is two different shades of silver. I'm curious if the MTH, Weaver or 3rd rail version is a better match.  I know in the real world the loco rarely matched the cars but I am just trying to get a look that is most pleasing to the eye. I also ran them for a bit with the Lionel Niagara and that looked very cool.

I've been through this same dilemma. Where Lionel simply painted their train silver, GGD actually plated their train in nickel. It looks great but does have a curious yellow tint to it. You can sort of cheat with Lionel's Hudson and swap in the PT tender so the mismatch isn't so glaring, but otherwise only 3rd Rail's ESE Hudson will perfectly match. I use Lionel's Niagara to pull the train, which is still prototypical and looks awesome.

Click here for my thread on this subject with pictures and video.

Nick, I saw your video with the PT Tender it did look very cool.

I know MTH and Weaver did an ESE Hudson. I wonder if they are painted silver the same as the Lionel.

Greg, The only engine that will match is the 3rd Rail. I also have an MTH ESE but like the Lionel one its silver and not the "stainless" color that GGD tried to create. I know the MTH engine will handle the 8 car set. I have yet to try the 3rd Rail engine with all 8 cars.

For those not familiar with the GGD cars here they are. The "silver" truck on the left is a Lionel 3 rail truck before color matching to the cars. It replaced 2 rail trucks that came with my add on cars.

Pete

Norton, Any chance you can post a pic of the MTH tender with one of the cars to see what it looks like?

Greg, I will try and get pics this evening but can assure you the MTH is closer to the color of the Lionel truck in the photo above. You might be able to paint the MTH engine to match with a translucent paint that would not cover the lettering. Otherwise you would have to find decals if you repainted it. A mix of brass and old silver should come pretty close.

Pete

Pete, the 3 rail add-on 2-packs are out there. Like you I purchased the core 6-car set alone and had to hunt around a bit for the 2-pack. Eventually found it from a private TCA member. Just gotta be aggressive with wanted ads and you WILL find one. I'll also keep my eye out for you.

Last year I posted in the WTB that I was looking for a set. Beth replied basically "Good Luck". I got a set on the bay but had to swap trucks. Actually the Lionel trucks are an order of magnitude nicer. I considered swapping the trucks out on all of my cars and may still.

Here is a comparison. GGD trucks are 2 rail.

Pete

I think most GGD cars fall into a black hole somewhere once they ship out. Or, because they are so nice no one wants to part with them. 

I have been looking for a PRR Diner/Observation set for almost 3 years and have not seen a single set for sale. I have gotten to the point that whenever I see someone selling any GGD cars on the Buy/Sell Board or eBay I send an email asking if they have the set i need. 

Beth told me there were far fewer 2 car add on sets produced than 6 car sets for the ESE. That makes them especially hard to come by.

Pete

I run the MTH version with their matching 18" aluminum passenger cars from the same period, mid-nineties. The engine is very well done with lighted drivers and I converted it to TMCC. This is an exceptionally nice passenger train.

The focal point of the picture posted below is the 1225, but if you look below it, the MTH is shown.

Isn't there an Empire State Express Hudson for sale on 3rd Rail's Boneyard specials?

**nevermind...it's 2 rail.**

If the cars look a little "chrome yellow" by comparison, then the cars are at fault. The

real cars were stainless (no yellowish hue), and not chrome-plated. All the ESE Hudsons

that I have seen, regardless of brand, look very accurate per the finishes.

I think you are right. I've never seen the 20th Century sets for sale on the secondary market.

Like Nick, I was looking for a 1938 20th Century set from GGD and just gave up.  I guess I am nowhere near as diligent as Nick when it comes to looking for these sets but thanks to Nick I was able to buy new the later version of the 20th Century that GGD produced.

I sure am glad I ordered the ESE 2 car add-on set when I did.

Pete, did you sell those GGD 2 rail trucks or do you still have them?

Been enjoying reading this thread. My ESE is one of my favorites.

Who and what is GGD???

Phil, Marty had a '38 set for sale on the forum last year. I have two pair of 2 rail trucks. The 6 cars set was already 3 rail.

As for colors, here is the actual "Alonzo B Cornell" RPO car located about 20 minutes from me. 

Here is the K-Line "Alonzo B Cornell" coupled to a GGD car.

Here is the PS1 MTH ESE coupled to the GGD. I don't believe the newer PS2 version is any closer.

I don't fault Scott for trying new things. In this case trying to simulate stainless steel. A lot of stuff I try doesn't work either but its a learning experience and pays off later like the new Super Chief cars. 

I have worked with a lot of stainless alloys, both unfinished and polished. Some alloys look almost like chrome when polished, others have a definite yellow tinge but its fairly subtle. By itself it looks fairly silvery but next to aluminum there is a definite difference in shade.

Pete

Golden Gate Depot

Pete, Thanks for posting the additional photos as well as the actual Alonzo B Cornell car

I know that weaver also did a ESE Hudson some years ago. I wonder if someone on the forum has one and will chime in 

Pete, you aren't kidding. Definitely a different shade in the pics you posted. I don't know what locomotive I am going to use to pull my ESE cars. I don't have a ESE Hudson yet. Someday I plan to get one but maybe I should just use something else since the shade is off like that.

I didn't know Weaver did a ESE Hudson. I wonder what it looks like.

Eddie:

Golden Gate Depot (GGD) is a subsidiary of 3rd Rail, Scott Mann's companies.

There is one on eBay now you can see it Here

From the picture it looks to be a similar color as the Lionel and MTH