The bargain for Lionel Hudsons is now the 1-700E. As far as I can tell it tracks the 700E in detail, and needs only scale flanges to compete on an appearance basis.
Maybe the Williams 773 clone is in the same ballpark - I am tempted to pick one up when I see a bargain. I did get the MTH Hudson, and it required a new frame, cylinder block, and drivers to make me happy - and lots of boiler belly stitching. But it now pleases me, and someday Matt is going to come down and do a factory reset, so I can hear the whistle and bell.
As near as I can tell, Hudson Products stuff was all pewter - a bit softer than good zamac, but not subject to zinc pest. Unload it on eBay.
Opinion.