Is the tooling from the 1990 LTI Scale Release...or based on the original Prewar tooling that morphed into the 773?
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This is on the Lionel site...
Using much of the tooling that built the first 700E, Lionel offers the new scale J1-e in the original #5344 number. In addition, the Vision Scale Hudson is also available in a 763E-inspired gunmetal grey paint scheme.
Regardless, it is fantastic. One of the smaller Vision locos and just a jewel. I have the black one and it is a favorite.
Some of it I'm sure is derived from the 1990 1-700E, because I read that Lionel worn down the original prewar tooling to the bone by the time the gray 785 was released in 1987. Most of the tooling they used is evident on the boiler and tender bodies, the cab, the tender trucks, the trailing truck, and valve gear arrangement (WOW, the only overseas engine I can think of that has a moving radius rod and sliding valve!!!). Most of everything else is new, better detailed tooling.
Regardless, I agree with Lee. Being that it's the only Vision engine in my collection, it is by far my most favorite piece to own. 
If you look closely at the counterweights on the drivers. The VL drivers appear to be from the K Line J1e tooling. No suprise given Lionel has aquired other K line tooling like the k4,shay, and A1 berkshire etc. Maybe one day we'll see the rest of the K Line tooling.
K Line:
VL:
The weight may not be from K-line tooling; it may simply be correct, unlike the original
700E's driver, as I recall.
Maybe they can also use a real trust and builders plate instead of the Lionel plate.....which is a sin on this model, IMHO.
I kinda like having the Lionel label on it, after all, it is a toy train and aqs such deserves its own builder's plate. 
The Vision 700E Hudson, one of my favorite locomotives.
True it says that...but the same was said of the 1990 Scale Hudson as well. They tweaked the scale tool and cleaned it up..perhaps casting a new boiler for a reason. So that makes me think the original tool was not in good shape in 1990..or any year after.
Originally Posted by Gerry Burns:
This is on the Lionel site...
Using much of the tooling that built the first 700E, Lionel offers the new scale J1-e in the original #5344 number. In addition, the Vision Scale Hudson is also available in a 763E-inspired gunmetal grey paint scheme.
Originally Posted by D500:
The weight may not be from K-line tooling; it may simply be correct, unlike the original
700E's driver, as I recall.
Given the numerous other glaring errors like the valve guides being incorrect and the steamchest lacking rivet detail just to name a few.
It seems silly Lionel would make "all new" wheel tooling so the drivers were correct.
As I stated before,Lionel has already reissued most if not all of the scale K Line steamers. I still suspect they have access to the J1 tooling as well, and cast the VL700e wheels from it.
Originally Posted by Mike W.:
True it says that...but the same was said of the 1990 Scale Hudson as well. They tweaked the scale tool and cleaned it up..perhaps casting a new boiler for a reason. So that makes me think the original tool was not in good shape in 1990..or any year after.
Originally Posted by Gerry Burns:
This is on the Lionel site...
Using much of the tooling that built the first 700E, Lionel offers the new scale J1-e in the original #5344 number. In addition, the Vision Scale Hudson is also available in a 763E-inspired gunmetal grey paint scheme.
Like I said, after the gray 785, Lionel had to make all new tooling for the engine itself when they did the 5340 1-700E. Pretty much every unstreamlined Hudson that was made after used this same tooling up to the gold plated Hudson from 2000.
Originally Posted by RickO:
Originally Posted by D500:
The weight may not be from K-line tooling; it may simply be correct, unlike the original
700E's driver, as I recall.
Given the numerous other glaring errors like the valave guides being incorrect and the steamchest lacking rivet detail just to name a few.
It seems silly Lionel would make "all new" wheel tooling so the drivers were correct.
As I stated before,Lionel has already reissued most if not all of the scale K Line steamers. I still suspect they have access to the J1 tooling as well, and cast the VL700e wheels from it.
At least Lionel put the effort to have the sliding valve and radius rod like the original 700E. Even today Lionel's 700E is the only engine I've seen that does it. All the others are unrealistically static.
I have the VL Hudson 5344, have nothing but good things to say about it. Also have the VL Bigboy and as soon as it returns from Lionel it will be a great engine. Both will look great on my layout, one with freight and the other with passenger cars
Brent
Wouldn't the 2007 Berkshire have a sliding valve etc? IMO the 2007 PWC Berkshire looks spot on for a PW item yet the CC Berkshire from recent looked odd with those thick chinese nickel drivers...just didn't look right at all.
Originally Posted by Mikado 4501:
Some of it I'm sure is derived from the 1990 1-700E, because I read that Lionel worn down the original prewar tooling to the bone by the time the gray 785 was released in 1987. Most of the tooling they used is evident on the boiler and tender bodies, the cab, the tender trucks, the trailing truck, and valve gear arrangement (WOW, the only overseas engine I can think of that has a moving radius rod and sliding valve!!!). Most of everything else is new, better detailed tooling.
Regardless, I agree with Lee. Being that it's the only Vision engine in my collection, it is by far my most favorite piece to own.
Originally Posted by Mike W.:
True it says that...but the same was said of the 1990 Scale Hudson as well. They tweaked the scale tool and cleaned it up..perhaps casting a new boiler for a reason. So that makes me think the original tool was not in good shape in 1990..or any year after.
Originally Posted by Gerry Burns:
This is on the Lionel site...
Using much of the tooling that built the first 700E, Lionel offers the new scale J1-e in the original #5344 number. In addition, the Vision Scale Hudson is also available in a 763E-inspired gunmetal grey paint scheme.
I have both the `1990 Hudson and the VL Hudson. Nothing I can see other then the boiler top, not including the cab appears to be the same including what little undeframe there is, all its interior and the opening smoke box door which is different.
My guess, unless proven wrong..forget marketing hype, The VL Hudson engine is mostly new or reconstituted Kline tooling. The tender could be a LTI reissue.
Joe
