Williams Brass Hudson minimum diameter

Would this be the very early brass NYC Hudson (both Dreyfuss or plain) from the 80's, or the much later (and - no comparison -  much nicer in every way) Masterpiece Series J3a (both Dreyfuss or plain, again)?

The early one claimed a really tight (031?) capability; I would assume that the later Masterpiece requires 072 unless proven otherwise. I have one of these, but I have 072, so I didn't care. I don't think that I have the instructions (bought it used).  

072 is typically the minimum curve for the brass scale Hudson.

The early brass Williams Hudson was cataloged to take 031 curves but the pilot truck would slip off on 031 & 042 curves. I added some adhesive wheel balance weights under the pilot truck and it would take a 042 curve but sometimes would slip off. I would say 054 minimum for the Williand early Brass  Hudson. 

As stated....which one??? I have both Williams brass Dreyfuss locos. The early one ran on O63 no issues......the 'Smithsonian' version needs O72 for sure.....mainly because the tender truck swing. 

The early versions claimed 031, but I couldn't get them to navigate those turns. When I was selling 7 of them out of an estate, I did some light maintenance, and they would just struggle around the 042 curves, ran fine of 054 but with a bit of overhang, and really looked nice on the 072 portions of my layout.

Thanks all.  It sounds like neither would like to run on my layout so it doesn't matter if it is the older or the Masterpiece series. I'll just have to pass on it.

coach joe posted:

Thanks all.  It sounds like neither would like to run on my layout so it doesn't matter if it is the older or the Masterpiece series. I'll just have to pass on it.

I also own both MTH Rail King Hudsons. Both run on O-27 fine....did for hours under the Christmas tree!!! Check them out....the MTH RK Dreyfuss REALLY looks good!!!

Thanks Dave, I've got the MTHRK Dreyfus and the Commodore.  Also have a K-line ESE.  Just thought a brass loco would be a nice addition and figured if any would be able to run on smaller curves it would be a Williams or maybe a Weaver.

coach joe posted:

Thanks Dave, I've got the MTHRK Dreyfus and the Commodore.  Also have a K-line ESE.  Just thought a brass loco would be a nice addition and figured if any would be able to run on smaller curves it would be a Williams or maybe a Weaver.

I have all the MTH RK Hudsons......kinda wish I had gone scale before buying all 3!!!! The scale brass Hudsons are nice but if I had stayed semi-scale I could have gotten more layout into the space I have!! So scale has a 'cost' too!!!

Here are my two brass Hudons by Williams...

Early Williams that I rebilt and modified greatly with new paint and my own decals.

Late Williams Hudson (Smithsonian like)

A REALLY nice detailed locomotive. Tender trucks are the main reason it needs O-72....but worth it.

Just showing off my two scale Hudsons.  The Williams one is a basket case I picked up for next to nothing, but it needs a lot of work.  Any guesses on the manufacturer of the other one? 

Hi Joe,

Your thread reminded me of the "trouble" I got into when these photos appeared years ago in OGR magazine in my article about a tiny Christmas layout I had built.

It was a Fastrack O36 layout, and I was deluged with questions about how I got the early Williams Dreyfuss to run on those curves! I had to admit that the photos were staged with no tender and the engine barely looking like it was resting on the rails!

I guess I disillusioned a few folks about what to believe in magazine photos!  

Jim

GG1 4877 posted:

Just showing off my two scale Hudsons.  The Williams one is a basket case I picked up for next to nothing, but it needs a lot of work.  Any guesses on the manufacturer of the other one? 

A good guess....HUDSON PRODUCTS.....joe

Joe Krasko took a good crack at it.  Maybe K-line?