Comparing Lionel Mohawk to Hudsons

Most of the Lionel Hudsons made throughout the 90's seem to command around the $400-500 range. The Mohawks a little less - maybe as low as $300.

The 18056 Hudson has RS2.5 and the 18064 Mohawk has RS3.0. The difference is the latter has TowerCom dialog and CrewTalk chatter. Otherwise, the sounds are basically the same, and have TMCC. Both have decent quality and NYC-accurate sounds despite their age. All these engines use the old AC Pullmor motors, which are nowhere near as smooth or consistent as the modern DC can motors. The Mohawk is not nearly as detailed as the Hudson, but it's still okay.

The Mohawk from 1990 is strictly conventional - no command control - and has no wireless tether, but is otherwise identical to its 1998 successor.

I have the 763e with the Vanderbilt tender (incorrect - the NYC never had any Vanderbilt tenders - which is funny, considering the founder); mine now has a correct PT tender. The locomotive (only) is basically a re-issue of the pre-war 700e. The sound is pretty good, but has only 1 chuff per revolution, which is irritating. There is a way to fix that (to-do list). Mine runs well and smoothly (and quietly for a Pullmor loco). I like it. The detailing is just what you'd expect - exquisite for the 1930's, still good today. A good model. Tough. Built like a household appliance; geared well (fairly low). All it needs is a proper tender.

I also have the early version of the L-3 Mohawk; mine has been converted to a can motor with ERR Cruise Commander and Railsounds. The "Sound of Steam" was awful. It did run fairly well for a Pullmor, also, before it was converted. The detailing is really pretty good, considering that most of it is cast-in. Lionel did drop the ball on the valve gear, though - incomplete and it shows. That could probably be improved with some work and some Hudson parts. (To-do list.) I have never been around the later version of this loco.

Prices of both seem to run $500 or so...? Check eBay listings and Completed Listings to get a real-world feeling for it. Some of the 763e's have been real bargains - if you can live with that tender. Not sure about the Mohawk.

I would not pay a lot for either - not that they are bad, but they seem to go for moderate amounts, and their running characteristics, in stock form, are definitely out-of-date - but that's not a fatal flaw. 

Thank you for the information, it will help me in my decision.