Yet another Kline Hudson comes in for the swap!..Tales From Harmon Shops

With this chassis swap, what of the K-Line chassis/drivers is salvageable?

My stock locomotive runs well and has given no trouble for years (little use however). Is the chassis/motor a throwaway?

@c.sam posted:

With this chassis swap, what of the K-Line chassis/drivers is salvageable?

My stock locomotive runs well and has given no trouble for years (little use however). Is the chassis/motor a throwaway?

When it’s all said and done Sam, the Kline chassis will only have the drive block with drivers and the motor left....everything else gets harvested for re-use,....I wouldn’t call it a throwaway, but then again, it doesn’t serve any purpose after the swap is done,.....and yes, some guys are quite content with the stock Kline as is,...however, most say the same thing as you, little use, and don’t pull a lot of cars.....the fact is for some of us, the Kline Hudson is one of the ( if not the ) finest scale Hudsons to grace the rails,...so the whimpy underpowered motor must go!.....there’s just no comparison in performance with the large Pittman powering these gems,...

Pat

Pat,  Thanks so much for the posting and the photos.   I'll be following along.   Enjoyed the details on the mounting of the K Line boiler shell to the new chassis set up.   Looks awesome !!! 

As we discussed this majestic steamer will be pulling 6 GGD 21 inch Heavyweight Pullmans, not the plastic ones either, up a 28 to 30  foot  1.5% grade.   

Hey Pat, thanks for the quick reply. I would heartily concur about the beauty of the K-Line cab and tender - to me still the nicest out there for the most part. Perhaps someday I will send you mine if I get another layout built at home. Mine has PS2 and perhaps a MTH smoke unit (can't remember) and it has performed well but would eventually like the larger motor.

Below is K-Line #5344 and the lower photos are #5343 K-Line and #5344 MTH 1st issue PS1

Hmmm. Maybe the Harmon shops could look at the MTH one gauge Hudson soon? The engines don't do what they should. May be just too light?

I sent mine off to another scratch builder for salvage use. I thought about working on it. I just didn't seem to have enough interest at the time. It was beat up so I let it go.

I have a GS4 that also seems a little weak. The MTH one gauge PS2 Challengers seem to be just the right set-up for my RR. I am a modern diesel fan so I loose interest in the older beasts that need to go to the scrapper.

Uh Oh. Did I say that?

Pat

Love your re-builds. A couple of questions:

1. What's your source for all these Pittmans?

2. What do you use to "chemically blacken all the new parts"?

Keep the posts coming!

Mark in Oregon

@Strummer posted:

Pat

Love your re-builds. A couple of questions:

1. What's your source for all these Pittmans?

2. What do you use to "chemically blacken all the new parts"?

Keep the posts coming!

Mark in Oregon

Mark, very good to hear from you!..

1. Everywhere & anywhere!....and when I do, I buy in bulk!..

2. Caswel chemicals, they have a great product line of blackening chemicals, they have Oxides for just about every kind of metal,..these are cold oxides, designed for the DIY guy, and available in large or small quantities,.....

Pat

@chris a posted:

Pat,  Thanks so much for the posting and the photos.   I'll be following along.   Enjoyed the details on the mounting of the K Line boiler shell to the new chassis set up.   Looks awesome !!!

As we discussed this majestic steamer will be pulling 6 GGD 21 inch Heavyweight Pullmans, not the plastic ones either, up a 28 to 30  foot  1.5% grade.   

You are a lucky guy Chris. Can't wait to see this loco pulling your cars along your beautiful layout.

My ROW won't handle one of these, but my Rivaroasi HO NYC Hudson gives me my Hudson fix when necessary.

Bob

I am starting to think I need to start searching for a K-Line Hudson just so I can get Pat to upgrade it for me!! 

Yes fellows, this thread is going to get really exciting and with do respect, Chris’s K-Line Hudson is going to look great, run great, chuff and chuff and smoke, headlight change, curtains, deck plate, ERR, and can run like there’s no tomorrow, and Pat will probably fire the present engineers, and so much more. I am very pleased with the way my Hudson runs. It’s my favorite steamer. Thanks for posting this thread. Happy Railroading Everyone

Larry,  thanks for posting the photos.   It's great to see them while I am waiting anxiously for the "Leapin Larry Option Package" !   

@chris a posted:

Larry,  thanks for posting the photos.   It's great to see them while I am waiting anxiously for the "Leapin Larry Option Package" !   

I really need to find a K-Line Hudson so I can get the "Leapin Larry Option Package" also!!! 

Yes,  Mark,   you Do !!!!   And no I don't get a commission or finder's fee....

Mark, check with Pat first if you plan to upgrade it. Parts supply is not infinite.

Pete

@chris a posted:

Yes,  Mark,   you Do !!!!   And no I don't get a commission or finder's fee....

  Chris, I see it looks like they are going for about $600.  That would be a nice finder's fee.

@Norton posted:

Mark, check with Pat first if you plan to upgrade it. Parts supply is not infinite.

Pete

Pete, yes I can imagine that is true.  I got that idea when Pat wrote a couple days ago, he gets the Pitman motors from various sources.

@Norton posted:

Mark, check with Pat first if you plan to upgrade it. Parts supply is not infinite.

Pete

This is true, .....at some point the well will run dry, but as of right now, I can’t see the bottom of the barrel,....yet,....but it is coming,........

Pat

@Mark Boyce posted:

  Chris, I see it looks like they are going for about $600.  That would be a nice finder's fee.

Pete, yes I can imagine that is true.  I got that idea when Pat wrote a couple days ago, he gets the Pitman motors from various sources.

Mark, the motors won’t be a problem, but at some point, the MTH chassis I use will be,...I won’t run out anytime soon, but eventually it will,.....I am working on some “ insurance for supplies “ remedies with the new MTH parts company, and if that pans out, that’ll be a whole new supply source,....unless a dozen folks cram in all at once, my current supplies will last for a while,....and of course, I’m always looking for that next evolution.....every one of these jobs is custom tailored to meet the specific needs of the operator. For example, Chris A has challenged me with what he wants his Hudson to do,...and his will need more power, and more tractive effort than previous builds,....but I like the challenge...Larry’s Hudson suits his needs for his layout perfectly, Larry & I spent quite a few evenings on the phone, and emails back & forth so I could absorb as much information about Larry’s ( gorgeous by the way) layout ,.....I did the same with Chris A,.....I’m not sure if Chris mentioned  this, but we have one heck of a grade to combat, so that presents a unique set of challenges that we’ll overcome,.....but don’t worry, we’ll tug that train up that hill kicking & screaming!..😉

Pat

Thank you Chris for the nice compliments, however, it really should be called The Hudson, Re-Created by “The Harmon Shops” because Pat, the CEO of Harmonyards is the magician that through his engineering experience made this happen. When Pat and I talked on the phone before he performed the tremendous upgrade, his explanation of what the transformation was going to include, the new parts, fitting the MTH Chassis in precisely the exact spot, placing the big Pittman motor in the rear part of the locomotive, Gunrunner Johns chuff stuff, Cruise Commander, re-designing the smoke unit, ERR, and all of the add on detailing, his assuring way of telling me the locomotive will run for hours and never overheat and become a real Stump Puller. It’s exactly that. Chris, you will be very happy when you receive your K-Line Hudson, a Harmon Shops specialty. The Journey has begun, hang on for the ride. Happy Railroading Everyone

I love this topic, and I always feel like I am eating steak at Espo's here in NJ. That place can really cook a steak, and make you feel great too. Besides that, I myself am hoping to snag one of these Kline Hudson's out there in the great wide world. May get lucky, may not, see how things progress. But rest assured, if I do, I will be talking to Pat about what we can do to make it a magnificent engine for the ages, like the real deal. I also have a few other things that need to go Pat's way when I get my act together, lol.

Yes,  Larry,  maybe we should call it the "Harmon Hauling Hudson".   My challenge to Pat, was that I want this Hudson to pull SIX GGD/3rd Rail,  21 inch heavyweight Pullmans up a 1.5% that's about 40 feet long.  The main line grade connects the upper and lower levels and has 2 x 90 degree turns plus a 180 degree turn all 96 + inch diameter Gargraves curves.   Only the US Post Office Express car is plastic, 4 are brass, 2 are aluminum I believe.  Anyway it's a heavy train. 

Wow!

That’s a good challenge, Chris!  I’m sure Pat is up to the challenge.  That will be a great train when completed.

@Mark Boyce posted:

That’s a good challenge, Chris!  I’m sure Pat is up to the challenge.  That will be a great train when completed.

I wouldn't call that a challenge, I would call that a real life demand. Might as well bring it over to NJ to set up on the BR&W to pull life sized coaches, lol. It would probably pull them too after this is all said and done.

@harmonyards posted:

Mark, very good to hear from you!..

1. Everywhere & anywhere!....and when I do, I buy in bulk!..

2. Caswel chemicals, they have a great product line of blackening chemicals, they have Oxides for just about every kind of metal,..these are cold oxides, designed for the DIY guy, and available in large or small quantities,.....

Pat

Thanks Pat...

Mark in Oregon

Good morning everyone, I found this thread on page 16 and wonder if there are any updates/progress  on Chris’s K-Line J1e NYC Hudson rebuild. It’s going to be exciting and it’s fun to see the Harmon Shops workmanship. Happy Railroading Everyone.

Finished!!…Chris’s Kline Hudson swap is ready to go down home rails,…..we’ve met the requirements Chris set forth for his build, ….when we sat down and discussed his layout, it was a tall order in deed,….grueling grades, and a string of full scale GGD passenger cars,……so the emphasis was on lots of power, and heft to get the job done!…naturally, we went with the biggest Pittman we could cram in side the Kline shell, we added over a full pound of weight to the shell casting, and topped it all off with ERR electronics, John’s chuff stuff ( I’m still waiting for my commission check) and then finished off the details drawing the engine & tender closer together, adding an apron, better looking cab figures, curtains & detailing the cab interior,……real coal now adorns the tender,….for a much better than the cast in coal load,…..the headlight is all individual components, reflector, lens & bulb, to better suit the NYC’s typical Golden Glow headlights,…..so anyways, here’s the official builder’s photos,…..video to come!…

Pat

What a sleek engine. That thing looks great Pat. Awesome job.👍

Chris' Hudson looks great, Pat!!

@Mark Boyce posted:

Chris' Hudson looks great, Pat!!

Thanks Mark!!….yours is coming soon!!….I have one more Kline Hudson in front of yours ( over in the 3 rail scale forum ) then yours and Dave’s Kline’s,…..my work season is finally slowed down, so I’m looking forward to catching up on some custom work!,..I truly appreciate everyone’s patience!…,it will pay off in dividends in a job well done,….

Pat

That K-Line Hudson is such a looker!

@harmonyards posted:

Thanks Mark!!….yours is coming soon!!….I have one more Kline Hudson in front of yours ( over in the 3 rail scale forum ) then yours and Dave’s Kline’s,…..my work season is finally slowed down, so I’m looking forward to catching up on some custom work!,..I truly appreciate everyone’s patience!…,it will pay off in dividends in a job well done,….

Pat

Pat, I've not been retired that long that I have forgotten how work can get in the way of the important things!!    There is no hurry on my part.

@Mark Boyce posted:

Pat, I've not been retired that long that I have forgotten how work can get in the way of the important things!!    There is no hurry on my part.

Mark, exactly one year from now I’ll be joining those ranks, and then commit to the custom locomotive work full time,….well, ….almost full time,….the Mrs. has travel plans!!….😉

Pat

Keep this up Pat and I will be sending you my Lionel B6 for a pullmore to pittman swap....Maybe in the spring.

Great job!

Bob

Another “Home Run” from the shops of Harmonyards, Pats attention to detail is jaw dropping, Yes, this Hudson is ready for duty. Chris will be thrilled with the power this steamer has, the sounds, the puffing smoke, 4 chuffs per revolution, deck plate, it’s a Wow. On my layout, with the hudson rebuild from Pat, we pulled 6 non lubricated old NYC Heavyweight cars, with 28 freight cars behind the passenger cars, no groaning, just smooth running for over thirty minutes. Amazing. Chris, this steamer will be one of your best performers, if not the best. Happy Railroading Everyone.

@harmonyards posted:

...

I glanced ...

and thought he stuffed an extra Pitmann in the tender?

@Engineer-Joe posted:

I glanced ...

and thought he stuffed an extra Pitmann in the tender?

Joe, ..the motor in Chris’s Hudson is literally shoe-horned in there,….it’s so tight, I had to relocate the cab light,…..the motor takes up all the space in the back, and is a mere 2mm away from the backhead,……Chris gave me a specific need,….and he needed a lot of motor to do the job,….to take apart Chris’s engine, break out the vasoline and butter,…..she’s tight buddy,….

Pat

Here’s Chris’s Hudson in action,….ready to go to work!..

Pat

Another good looking run Pat. I can wait for mine as well. I got to get more engines in line to get the works, but that can also wait a bit.

@Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:

Another good looking run Pat. I can wait for mine as well. I got to get more engines in line to get the works, but that can also wait a bit.

Dave, I’ve taken a locomotive on trade that bears the last part of your user name,….unmentionable on this thread…😉….contact me sometime, and maybe we can do another tag team with Alex,…..he’s a lot of fun to work with,….

Pat