Lionel 6-38041 NYC J3a Hudson (Loco) #5433 Repair Help

The siderod screws should not be loctited in. Its the screws that hold the wheels on the axles that may have loctite. As for the side rods you could use two left side rods. They would be functional but not look right on the right side. Hopefully when Lionel ships the new J3s that part will be available again.

Peter

Thank-you for the advice.  If  you know of someone who has 6SP8072322 SIDE ROD / RH / NYC J-3a HUDSON please send them my way!

Looks like MTH rods would work with only a minor modification. Driver centers are the same at 4.5mm. Forward and rear bushing holes are the same at 4.46mm give or take a few 100ths. Center driver hole would have to be opened up about .020". That could be done with a tapered (aka mechanics) reamer. I am pretty sure MTH would have these as they have done dozens of J1s. Call or email Midge at MTH.

Not sure the cost but I would get two pair in case something went wrong. I would not count on Lionel to make them available even after their new J3s are released.

Pete

Wow Pete!  You went above and beyond!  Thank-you very much!  I will reach out to MTH.............

No big deal Richard, hope it helps. I have a few hudsons. You will still have to use Lionel shouldered screws though. BTW defintely no worries about loctitie.

You may not have to bore the center holes the full .020". The holes are a bit oversize. Just bore them large enough to clear the eccentric bushing. Minimal slop leads to smoother running.

Pete

Update, I was told by someone who recently tried to purchase Hudson siderods from MTH that they may, in fact, be out of stock though they may have complete frames. Worth a call, none the less.

The consequence of using two left hand rods is either the grease cups (small nubs at the ends) would be pointing down or if you flipped it over end to end the simulated hinged section of the rods would be forward of the center driver, more obviously wrong.

The nubs are pretty small and I doubt only you would notice. 

Pete

Hey Richard, if you can’t put your hands on the OE Lionel parts you’re looking for, I do have a pair of MTH Hudson rods you can get from me......do keep in mind the rods I have are as chrome as chrome gets!...I’ve been talking with Pete off line, and we were discussing your parts hunt. He sent me the measurements on the difference between the two.....both Pete and I are more than capable of opening out the center hole if need be for a good fit for smooth operation....if you run out of luck trying to get rods, these can be put into service....I have a few Lionel J3a’s and can test their operation before sending them off.....email is in my profile if you need me..............Pat

Nice Pat, that's going above and beyond!

This thread is a great example of why I LOVE this Forum!  You guys are amazing and I always learn something new!!  Happy 4th to all!!

Very nice!  I expect installing the rods merely is the case of removing and reinserting the screws - no magic required here.  Right?

Once I get this gem up and running, my next advice seeking expedition will be to you all about a number of things - minimum curve, how to use TMCC - just bought it - never used it, and any other advice you could give me.  I called and emailed Midge today and await her response RE: rods.  Like many, I had smaller Lionel items when I was a kid (still have them).  I can't beleive how impressive this Hudson is!  The tender too!  AND Heavy - wow!  The Heavyweight passenger cars are so nice too.  The plan is to start the layout when the snow flies.........................

I have two MTH Premier Santa Fe 3460 class Hudsons (3460 "Blue Goose and 3463 standard unstreamlined). I measured the main rods and they match the dimensions of the MTH Premier J1E rods shown above. However the Santa Fe Hudsons have roller bearing style rods.

Hey Lou!....thanks for measuring your SF’s.....that’s handy info for us Central guys!....had I thought of that before, you might have gotten that Goose with non- roller rods!....ha ha ha!.....😉...........Pat

harmonyards posted:

Hey Lou!....thanks for measuring your SF’s.....that’s handy info for us Central guys!....had I thought of that before, you might have gotten that Goose with non- roller rods!....ha ha ha!.....😉...........Pat

You would still have it if it didn't have the roller bearing side rods .

So, Lionel sent me the rods I needed and I installed them today.  This huge steam loco runs on 031, so I could test it out.   Nice!  I know it is already 'old', but what a beautiful piece.  Like a work of art really; so nice that I display it in my office.  I also got my hands on the 2010 Lionel Legacy CP F3 ABA combo; nice too, but I think I'm a 'steam locomotive' guy at heart.   Thanks again to all who contributed their thoughts on this topic - much appreciated!

Lou1985 posted:

I have two MTH Premier Santa Fe 3460 class Hudsons (3460 "Blue Goose and 3463 standard unstreamlined). I measured the main rods and they match the dimensions of the MTH Premier J1E rods shown above. However the Santa Fe Hudsons have roller bearing style rods.

Great post Lou! Just curious, but do you happen to know the Diameter size of the Drivers on these? Just curious how close they are to the prototype's 84" drivers on the Santa Fe Hudsons... Great looking Locos!

VintageClassics posted:

Lou1985 posted:

I have two MTH Premier Santa Fe 3460 class Hudsons (3460 "Blue Goose and 3463 standard unstreamlined). I measured the main rods and they match the dimensions of the MTH Premier J1E rods shown above. However the Santa Fe Hudsons have roller bearing style rods.

Great post Lou! Just curious, but do you happen to know the Diameter size of the Drivers on these? Just curious how close they are to the prototype's 84" drivers on the Santa Fe Hudsons... Great looking Locos!

The drivers are smaller than scale, on account of the large 3 rail flanges. They are 78 scale inches high, vs. the 84 inches of the prototype. So about 6 scale inches short. Doesn't bother me, as they run on 3 rail track.