Added detail on modern steam.

I always appreciate when the crew figures are part of the body like that. My brain always just assumes they're stand alone figures.

Actually the figure is a separate piece held on with a screw. I just haven’t taken it apart yet.

Pete

Fair enough. The little Lionel 0-6-0T's had them stuck to the seats and held in by a screw. Clever that they came out like an assembly if I remember right.

This is also pre bell/whistle chord stanchions and ropes. Stuff has even more added detail now. Lets not also forget that even the rods have changed. A lot of models have had previously missing lubricator linkages added in later runs as well.

That is something else Pete. I didn't get a chance to read this yesterday and only did a quick glance. A lot of work, both yours and at work here yesterday. I can't wait to see more.

Cool presentation Pete, it is amazing how much detail stuff there is there.  I wonder what my Vision Line Big Boy pile would look like?   I'm not taking it apart to find out, don't ask!

I may have bitten off more than I can chew. This will take a while and be spread out as I realize now how many holes I have drill.

Just to add I already had a small pile of parts from other sources for this project.

Pete

And the holes have to be in exactly the right place!

Well, I guessed that is a NYC engine but was surprised to find what era - going only by the number 5344. Sorry if I’ve missed something but what are you building?

The parts are going on a Williams die cast Hudson. Some work has already begun.

Pete

These are elegant models.  A bit easier to add serious details to brass - I often add washout plugs, boiler steps, and lag clamps to brass.  More difficult to sand cast and die cast.  And I agree - The MTH Hudson is a nice starting point.  Seems quite accurate, but the cylinders are seriously undersize.

Being a 2-railer, I took mine, closed in the belly, sold the drivers, cylinder block, and frame for a hundred bucks, kept the electronics, machined a new frame and cylinder block, added all the MTH rods and valve gear, and wound up with a credible 2-rail model, needing only a factory reset to make me smile!

Very nice, everyone. I guess these are J1s, since they have spoked drivers...?

Mark in Oregon

Oddly, just yesterday I was looking down on one of my steamers (a Lionel pre-Vision Clinchfield 4-6-6-4) and once again marveled at how spoiled we all are. Those of us who have been in model railroading or have been model-railroading-adjacent since Medieval times (pre-1960) often roll our eyes when we hear some young whippersnapper complain about this or that detail not being present or perfect. Well, the level of detail on modern locos and RS is almost painfully exquisite.

Can't wait to see the upgraded Williams 4-6-4. I did that with homemade details once to one of the Williams pieces (not at your skill level, though) and it really looked good.

I have no intention of making this a rival of a Kohs Hudson. In fact I never planned to do anything with this engine other than steal its tender for another project but then one thing lead to another. After taming the speed issue I started thinking of improving the appearance. The cast on detail will stay. I have gone the course of grinding off cast on detail with some HO diecast Model Diecasting engines. No thanks. This is just an exercise to do some minor improvements.

For the record most of the changes so far are complements of Lionel’s Vision 700E. As both that engine and the 773 evolved from the pre war 700E its not surprising the parts fit. I thank Lionel for the backhead, rear bulkhead, lubricator, steamchest and valve gear. Essentially all bolt on parts.

Pete