I'm very much interested in this set as it has extra accessories for the grandkids. BUT, the steam engine is for me! Maybe there is a better choice? I'd like to hear your opinion.
http://www.lionel.com/products...ht-loco-773-6-31739/
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RichardVB posted:I'm very much interested in this set as it has extra accessories for the grandkids. BUT, the steam engine is for me! Maybe there is a better choice? I'd like to hear your opinion.
http://www.lionel.com/products...ht-loco-773-6-31739/
I made the mistake of not purchasing this engine from a dealer at York several years ago. IIRC the price gave me "sticker shock" so I passed. I wanted the engine to pull my Lionel Lines Irvington passenger cars. Still think about getting this engine but since I have one of the new J3a's on order not going to happen anytime soon.
I have this set and it is a winner. The 773 Hudson is a very good runner and puller, looks and sounds great and the set possesses a ton of play value. I got mine on E-bay several years ago.
A PRR caboose behind a Hudson.....!
Yes, for the enjoyment of seeing the pleasure given to grandkids, this is a great set. I do not have this particular engine, but, do have all of the original PW items. The tender says "Lionel Lines", as it should, so it does not matter what other system may be labeled on any of the consist cars, it is for enjoyment of running trains.... and for the grandkids. If you can/have located this set, go for it! Then, start now acquiring more track, and switches, for the layout.
Jesse TCA 12-68275
It's a Hudson.......
One of Weaver's last high end offerings.
Coal or Oil.
Mike CT posted:One of Weaver's last high end offerings.
Coal or Oil.
Beautiful! AND C.P. How appropriate given I'm Canadian! An aside, how do you like the cork roadbed? I'd like to tone down running 'noise' on may layout.
texastrain posted:Yes, for the enjoyment of seeing the pleasure given to grandkids, this is a great set. I do not have this particular engine, but, do have all of the original PW items. The tender says "Lionel Lines", as it should, so it does not matter what other system may be labeled on any of the consist cars, it is for enjoyment of running trains.... and for the grandkids. If you can/have located this set, go for it! Then, start now acquiring more track, and switches, for the layout.
Jesse TCA 12-68275
Thank-you for the comments! I see the recommendation is for 042 curves - is this what you're using Jesse?
RichardVB posted:Mike CT posted:One of Weaver's last high end offerings.
Coal or Oil.
Beautiful! AND C.P. How appropriate given I'm Canadian! An aside, how do you like the cork roadbed? I'd like to tone down running 'noise' on may layout.
Cork works well, easy to install, I was never too concerned about track noise. The Cork allowed for relatively easy ballast detail. IMO Mike CT.
Which Hudson depends on which road you're modeling. The Lionel 773 is designed around the New York Central Prototype. MTH has them for Santa Fe ("Blue Goose" 3460 and un-shrouded), Milwaukee Road, New York Central, and (I believe) a couple of others, all with different superstructures and tenders depending on the road. Weaver did some variants as well, including a Blue Goose Santa Fe Hudson. The Pecos River Brass Santa Fe Hudson is a model of ATSF's upgraded Pacific and is an excellent model (and fetches pretty high prices for a conventional locomotive).
Any of the aforementioned Hudsons should entertain the grand-kids when operating with a train in tow, especially with sound and smoke going. Keep in mind that you should probably operate O-54 curves as they'll look better than O-42 and can be operated at slightly higher speeds (I don't know what it is about kids and making trains go fast).
Hope this helps.
Dominic Mazoch posted:A PRR caboose behind a Hudson.....!
Noticed that. They kinda get away with that by using "Lionel Lines" on the locomotive, even though it's an NYC prototype. The hopper looks like a PRR prototype, too. John Pignatelli would hit the ceiling over that. One thing New York Central fans and Pennsylvania fans agree on is that February 1, 1968 is "That other day that will live in infamy." 
Easy question to answer- all of them.
There are dozens you could choose from but for that train its the perfect match.
FWIW the 1950 version which this is based on ran on 031".
Pete
You could also go with a post-war offering, such as a 2056 or something? Bullitt proof and much cheaper that a modern version with all the fancy electronics.
TimDude posted:You could also go with a post-war offering, such as a 2056 or something? Bullitt proof and much cheaper that a modern version with all the fancy electronics.
Do you have a list of all similar post-war offering #'s for the Hudson I desire in this set? http://www.lionel.com/products...ht-loco-773-6-31739/
Get the one you "really" want the money only matters at first... latter on it will just be you and that engine ...you won't care about the money any more. Go after your dreams Nick
RichardVB posted:TimDude posted:You could also go with a post-war offering, such as a 2056 or something? Bullitt proof and much cheaper that a modern version with all the fancy electronics.
Do you have a list of all similar post-war offering #'s for the Hudson I desire in this set? http://www.lionel.com/products...ht-loco-773-6-31739/
I don't. I am not a expert on post-war. If you keep that big 773 for yourself, I would lean towards something like a 2056 which is one of the bigger if not the biggest "semi-scale" Hudsons. I agree, that particular engine is beautiful. It has a unique 700T tender marked as Lionel Lines. That is the only place you can get that tender without repainting. Also, it is TMCC, a nice touch. I have three of them just to get the tender to run with my 1990 Hudsons.
I sold almost all my stuff and kept that set. I love that engine. Great sounds and rather simplistic I guess. The cars and accessories are all top notch.
The only Hudson l would consider buying, beyond the Marx #1829, one of which l have bashed into a 2-8-2, would be a 1939 or 1940 coupe. And then l would probably choose a Nash coupe for those years, preferring the overhead valve 6 and 8 in those cars. I would consider the Nash Lafayette economy car but avoid the high numerical rear axle in the Hudson Terraplane. These are the Hudsons commonly seen west of the Mississippi in the area l model.
Taking the road less traveled on this, it might be worth looking into a LionChief Plus Hudson if it's going to be mostly the kids running things and/or you don't have a TMCC/Legacy system. The cruise control and easy to use remote are nice features. I tend to avoid pullmor motors when I can.
On the other hand my 2055 is still a beast of an engine... Though saying it won't die would be a lie, had to replace the motor about 15 years ago as all the windings had burned up.
Over all I'd go for either a new model, an original postwar one, or a 2000's era TMCC type with a can motor.
My opinion, buy a K4!
prrjim posted:My opinion, buy a K4!
... ...
Mark in Oregon
In an effort to be more helpful than some .....
An alternative 773 Hudson similar to the one in the OP's cited set that is readily available, quite affordable in the present times, and does O-42 is the Century Club 1 Hudson. TMCC and very good sounds (the whistle!). Ed Boyle did a nice write up in the Collectors Column in OGR about seven months ago. He and I happen to both be fans of this USA-made Lionel Hudson steam type which is among the last of the crop of engines made in Chesterfield.
Happy hunting!
Bob
I recently purchased this set off of eBay. It was new in the box, and after a little oil and grease, it was good to go. Sound and smoke are decent, and the set has a lot of play value.
Though I have to admit that I miss the speed control included in the newer engines. Otherwise, if you like the PW look, with updated electronics and smoke, it’s probably a good choice.
