I always loved the look of the 5344 Scale Hudson but when the prices quickly rose from $1000 to over $3000, that was the end of my interest. They are basically 85 yr old shelf queens. When the 5340 came out that all changed. I was able to purchase two near new condition engines for $450 each and they are 100% American made. Side by side there is only a minute difference between the 5344 and 5340 and the re-issue runs great smokes well and has nice rail sounds. Manages Gargraves O gauge track real well. On an outside loop on my layout with only sight variations in grade, powered by a PW ZW, those 18005 Hudson's will easily pull 7 NYC aluminum passenger cars, although at around 16 V.
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