As of the completion of this project (so much cutting, grinding, soldering, de-soldering, valve-gear locating/adapting) I now have a 3RO model of every "iteration" Hudson 5344 had: as built (K-Line), Commodore Vanderbilt (Lionel), Mercury service/J3a Century styling (below; LioWilliams? Williamsnel?) and as retired (Lionel, 1990's "763e" 5344 with proper PT tender added).
This was a pain. Glad I did it. Now. Took me forever, but I also took a couple of breaks.
Lionel "ATSF" (yeah, right) Warhorse scale NYC Hudson w/TMCC RS, blended with the bodywork of that very early brass Williams Dreyfuss that everybody loves to hate. Complete Lionel electronics moved to Williams tender, including Electrocoupler; the Williams brass loco disassembled and de-soldered with a torch (hardware store size) to obtain brass streamlining parts. Warhorse Hudson much cut and abused with Moto-Tool.
(My typical table-grade, working-class modeling standards - perfection not even considered.)
Streamlined firebox-area skirting is from the Williams loco, but enlarged and re-shaped with brass/copper as the J1e had a higher running board than the J3a.
No "New York Central" on the tender, like the real one, above. Steps added to side rear of tender.
Full 700e valve gear from Lionel website (these are actually from the latest Legacy 700e); Lionel scale-wheel truck. Williams brass skyline casing, "nose" and pilot skirting. The pumps were actually partially showing on this loco (see prototype above), unlike the original J3a styling.
Never overlook HO scale for small decals - see NYC oval on pilot. (I also now see a bit of sloppy workmanship at the end of the running board skirting - "character lines"?)
Still has a Pullmor; brass skirting was soldered on the bottom of the Wms tender, nearly contoured correctly. I am going to adjust the drawbar length; this Lionel drawbar has a simple hole on the tender end, so I should be able to drill another with no problem (oh - never say that...) to snug it up a bit.
Brush weathered with Bragdon's pigments.
I wonder if I have the only 3RO version of this?