C&O L2 Hudson

This would be an excellent candidate for the brass hybrid.

I agree. The K2 Mikado looks very tempting.

I doubt if an L2 will ever be done in 3 rail. I was one of only a handful of reservations for 3rd Rail's proposed version before Scott cancelled it several years ago for lack of interest. Other than the L2, C&O passenger big steam has been pretty well covered by all the manufacturers - all the different versions of the Greenbrier, Lionel's F19 Pacific, MTH's K4 Kanawha,  the M1 STE,  and of course Lionel's L1 streamlined Hudson (which has to have a can motor and newer electronics installed to make it run decent). I do wonder why Lionel has never done an updated L1. Has the tooling from the late 90's been lost? I think the L1 would do well as a brass hybrid.

What C&O fans really need is a K2/K3/K3a heavy Mikado. I was hoping Lionel would do these when they released their new heavy Mikado's but no luck. I think if you took one of Lionel's generic heavy Mikado's replaced the pilot with the freight pilot from an H7; the smokebox front, air compressors, Elesco feedwater heater, and cab from the F19; and used the Vandy tender and/or the rectangular tender from the H7  you might be able to put together a K2 or K3. Maybe Lionel will do this someday or maybe 3rd Rail will offer one, but I'm not holding my breath about it.

Ken

Ken

Believe it was Overland that did the C&O Hudsons some 25+ years ago - both with Walschaerts and Poppet valve gear. Superb models, that show up at shows and Ebay somewhat regularly.

The posted photo in most likelihood was taken at the Cincinnati Union Terminal roundhouse coaling tower. CUT was a major construction project in the depths of the Depression, which included the beautiful station, as well as a post office and complete steam locomotive servicing facilities.

"I doubt if an L2 will ever be done in 3 rail. I was one of only a handful of reservations for 3rd Rail's proposed version before Scott cancelled it several years ago for lack of interest."

I, too, wanted one and was disappointed when they were cancelled. Had they shown up, it would then have completed the "biggest Hudsons" offerings available in 3RO: ATSF 3460-class; CNW E-4; MILW F-7 and the C&O L-2-A. 

Having said that, I can't really agree with your statement above. Certainly they flopped as a 3rd Rail offering, but I do think that an MTH or Lionel offering would be a success, as there is existing Hudson tooling "owned" by both companies that could be adapted as a basis for this loco. And their marketing/customer base has advantages over 3rd Rail's.

The brass hybrid idea springs to mind, as mentioned above. The NYC Hudson (who hasn't got that tooling?) basic frame/running gear/tender dimensions are certainly good starting points for the loco. The NYC J's were smaller then the C&O 4-6-4's, but not so much below the waist as above it - where the new boiler/tender pretty parts would go. They could even use the J1's spoked drivers.

I would prefer the Lionel operating system, but I'll buy one from either company, if it comes to that. And, I won't be buying any more Alleghenys or Greenbriers from anyone. 

BTW - I really want the L-2-A poppet-valve version, as in the photo above. The Baker-valve gear L-2 version is nice, but the L-2-A is different in many ways and looks more modern and "exotic". 

Har!  What has been done to death are Hudson's, period!  Took forever to finally get a Mikado in three rail.  I'd snatch up a C&O Mike even though not in my modeled area.

"Har!  What has been done to death are Hudson's, period!  Took forever to finally get a Mikado in three rail."

Uh, 3RO scale Mikes have been offered for, what? 20 years? I have a few. I no longer even look at them when announced.

And, "Hudsons" are not interchangeable. One does not stand in for another.

One of Weaver's last brass offerings was a Hudson.