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Lionel did a great  job bringing the streamlined Hiawatha and Commodore Vanderbilt to Standard Gauge, but there hasn't been a decent SG Hudson since the Liberty Lines 600E in the 1980's, and they are rare as hen's teeth. Picking up the Harmon line, I really didn't like the reuse of Challenger parts to make shorter engines, so I've taken a shot at reinventing the Harmon Hudson (see photos). This first one is using a customer provided Hiawatha tender, but it looks good with the shortened Harmon tender as well.  Notice the extended cab roof, shorter sand dome, and the redesigned front end without the Challenger 'porch' and misaligned stack. I'm pretty happy with the look and lines of this, the first 'standard' non-streamlined Hudson since the 600E.

Let me know what you think. Will display at the SGMA Breakfast at York at the Fairgrounds restaurant (7:30 - 9 am Friday.)

Jim

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As we has discussed. The wheel gap does not work for me.

1. Convert that super motor into a barrel type armature.  Which removes the brush tubes.

2 . machine or have made larger diameter wheels. ( this gets around messing with the gears) (use the same gears.) You then can  get spacing between wheels an 1/8 inch.

That rear wheel block can be shortened. Moved in for 1/8 in gap. 

This is more prototypical. And symmetrical.

riki posted:

As we has discussed. The wheel gap does not work for me.

1. Convert that super motor into a barrel type armature.  Which removes the brush tubes.

2 . machine or have made larger diameter wheels. ( this gets around messing with the gears) (use the same gears.) You then can  get spacing between wheels an 1/8 inch.

That rear wheel block can be shortened. Moved in for 1/8 in gap. 

This is more prototypical. And symmetrical.

Riki, at some point I will try and produce the 'tighter' 6 wheel mechanism without the spaces that the bild a loco motor has, but for now, this is the latest.  Ideally, I would like to make a Hudson that approximates the 600E, which had it's own purpose built mechanism (and has it's problems, I've fixed one and know what I would change).

Jim

Jim Waterman posted:
Mark Gannucci posted:

when and where is the SGMA breakfast?

SGMA breakfast will be in the York Fair restaurant, in the back of the room. The restaurant next to the Red Hall on the York Fairgrounds.

Jim

And just FYI, you don't need to buy breakfast there in order to attend.  If your hotel includes a decent breakfast, eat there.  Some reviews of the venue's breakfast have been less than stellar.

navy.seal posted:

Jim,

Would you please post a photo of this locomotive with your Harmon tender.

Bob Nelson

Bob,

A couple of shots with the Harmon tender. Pardon the condition, this is an old build sample model, so it's not clean, not painted. Maybe a little like a MILW F-6 Baltic (by the way, my first brass loco was an Milw F6 baltic, custom painted by one of my dad's friend. Still have it.

Jim

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navy.seal posted:

Jim,

That's a handsome tender!   Love those rivets!

I agree with riki and would prefer closer wheel spacing with larger driving wheels. 

I can't tell from the photos, but is there a simulated "coal" load?

Bob Nelson

Bob, no simulated coal load in the tender at present, but I do provide them with most of the finished engines unless the owner doesn't want it.

Jim

Jim,

I own an original Harmon Hudson, which I converted to a Milwaukee Road Baltic.  IMHO, your version is much nicer than the original!

Harmon Milwaukee Road Baltic 001

Harmon Milwaukee Road Baltic 002

Some day we will have to compare the two.  There is no doubt in my mind that yours will come out the winner!

Bob Nelson

PS.  I wonder how many of my Milwaukee Road Olympian Hiawatha cars by Waterman it will pull?

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  • Harmon Milwaukee Road Baltic 001
  • Harmon Milwaukee Road Baltic 002
Last edited by navy.seal
navy.seal posted:

Jim,

I own an original Harmon Hudson, which I converted to a Milwaukee Road Baltic.  IMHO, your version is much nicer than the original!

Harmon Milwaukee Road Baltic 001

Harmon Milwaukee Road Baltic 002

Some day we will have to compare the two.  There is no doubt in my mind that yours will come out the winner!

Bob Nelson

PS.  I wonder how many of my Milwaukee Road Olympian Hiawatha cars by Waterman it will pull?

Bob

I tested it, (and added a couple of pounds to the front end, it seemed a little biased towards the back.) Answer is 4. Much more room for weight in the boiler, which it will need. I suspect with more weight, maybe 6 cars.

Being biased, I like your Harmon version, but like mine better:

Changes:

Stack matches with cylinders

Gor rid of the 'extra' catwalk that was part of the Challenger pilot assembly

Smaller sand dome

Extended cab roof from sheet metal

Lowered as much as practical (front and rear truck clearance being the limitation.

Jim

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