The Hudson Runs Again!

Oh boy is right. I'd part it out on e-bay and try and get my money back.

Good luck.  One end of the spectrum.

 

The other end--at the Hanburg, PA Dutch Train Meet yesterday--I saw, had to look hard, setting to rear of a table, a pristine prewar 700E.  A perfect example, absolutely no flaws, perfect, straight casting, with the OB for both the engine and tender.

 

I asked, "65" was the answer.  I asked if he had change for a hundred.  We shared a laugh.  Man was it nice.  They don't much come along like this anymore.  A rare piece at a small snow covered venue.  Made my day just to see it.

The seller will probably gets something close to that for it, eventually.  I have a friend looking for one now who is choosy and taking his time but he's convinced the one he wants will cost him north of five, maybe six.  When you have the passion in your for a particular find rationality doesn't play much part in your spending decisions.

Is that Hudson a victim of a boiler explosion?

 

Larry

 Bob,

     Are those parts still around?

 

Tin 

Looks like quite a challenge. Is all of the metal there or are chunks missing? I don't follow 700Es closely but would think donor shells are like hens teeth. Maybe you could use a Williams 773 as a donor, either the whole shell of just the cab and firebox??

 

Pete

It's all there, it's like a jigsaw puzzle waiting to be put back together 

somehow.

 

Tin 

Looks like a mess, but aren't projects like that part of the reason we're in this hobby?

 

Have fun!!

I think I'd like a go at a project like that. I've pretty much quit working on restorations because they became less and less a challenge over the years. That would be something that would be interesting and fun to rebuild. Obviously it'll never be new again, but bringing it back to life would be worth the effort. Just from the pictures it looks like I could get the shell back together and painted to look like new. Good luck, and if there's anything I can do to help, let me know.

Hi,

  Can a chassis from a 773 work with my parts, not to sure I could mix and match.

 

Tin 

Hello guys and gals............

 

It looks like a expensive repairs .  Perhaps settle for a Sunset 3rd brass Hudson and not have to worry about Zinc pest or rot.  I purchased a Sunset 3rd engine.

 

the woman who loves the S.F.5011,2678

Tiffany

 

 

I have what I think is an older (postwar/prewar) Hudson with 5420 on the cab. Is that a re-lettering because I have not seen one like that. I guess I should post some pics to get more info on it.

Is that a Lionel motor?  It has a drum commutator. Most Lionel O-gauge motors that I can think of have flat faced commutators. 

No I think so it's really heavy duty, it might be a Pittman?

 

Tin 

Clearly, a labor of love.

I must have missed the back story on this.  What happened?

Almost looks like you could replace the destroyed cab and rear boiler with the same area chopped from an old 736 Berk boiler casting. Almost being the key word here. You may need an insert between the new cab and old boiler to get the length right, some body putty work, and then figure out how to secure the assembly to the rear of the frame. Unless you are really into rehab projects like this I'd suggest you do what smd4 suggested and sell the parts on eBay.  

I always enjoy these threads. 

Thanks all

Mike

Yes, please, the back story, And progess pictures.  Looks like a challenge, but not impossible.  At least you can say you have an original 700e.

The back story is I purchased it off ebay, it came to me broken the seller was great 

and really helped me out with it, it all belong to his father, so I hope I could get it running.

 

Tin 

Broke in shipping?

...That's a good one!

r0d

Good luck.

MARTY, HE'S GOING TO NEED A TON OF GOOD LUCK.

You should contact Dennis Waldron.  He is an expert on the 700E and has a lot of parts for them. A lot.  If you want his contact, let me know.

Not to be harsh.But if you would like to honor the oporational traditions of the 20th century American railroads,cut it up,sell it for scrap and order a brand new locomotive.

IMO, original 5344 Scale Hudson's made in 1937 are strictly shelf queens and might at best see a few minutes on a layout now and then. They are expensive historical antiques and since the cast zinc metallurgy on them was poor, very few survive in pristine condition. There are still some parts from the old Madison hardware stash still circulating about so if you do a search something may turn up.

 I can appreciate an original but at 1/5th the price, the 1991 re-issue is the right item for my layout.

I did some work on my Hudson first I Dremeled eight small holes in the broken areas 

of the chassis and put in metal rods, next I put in JB Weld on the areas and held 

the parts together with a vise, I been doing this for three day's and so far all is well.

Next is the boiler.

Hi all,

    This is getting interesting, I got the chassis back together and   

the boiler, not bad but getting there. One problem there's a slight  

difference in wheel height the front seems to be a slight bit higher   

than in the middle and rear so there's seems to be a slight shift 

up and down have to figure that out.

 

Tin 

The 773 4-6-4 (1950) has a center wheel different than the end wheels.

 

Edit: I can't tell which is different on the 700E

Mine is the early 700 the middle wheel in not flat like the 773 

matches the other wheels, thank you for the info on the 

773 and 700E.

 

Tin  

Hi all,

   Just a update, I finally finished the boiler, and gave it a nice 

coat of primer. Not sure about the chassis but I purchased a 

repro chassis off ebay made of steel there is a slight dent in 

the rear but I hope to get it out.

 

Tin 

Coming along nicely. Here's one for sale in my area

 

Wow, That's a great looking train!

 

Tin 

 

Well the boiler is painted, it's the first coat I'll do a second in about 

48 hours and then cover it with clear coat.

 

Tin 

I noticed in one picture the rear set of drivers are not aligned properly with the first two for installing the side rods.  That means pulling one wheel and reinstalling.  Of course you probably have noticed this since you are tackling a big job in the first place.  I enjoy watching your progress.  How did you get the cab roof back together?  It looked like it was torn off.  

 

Keep posting pictures of your progress.  The boiler looks pretty darn good! 

 

 

great job! can't wait to see it done.

Dave

holey snikeys! That boiler casting was destroyed. How did you piece that one together?
Keep up the great work. And keep us posted.