Lionel 773 Hudson - 1964 Version

The 773 is geared with a much different ratio than its contemporaries and has a much slower speed. Still worth giving it some love and care by carrying out a basic lube job.

My first thought would be the track. Were you running this engine on 027? If so that kind of curve might be too small for that engine. My second thought is that the engine needs to have a good cleaning of the brushes and so forth. Finally, my last thought would be that the gearing ratio, for that engine, was made so that it would go at a more "prototypical" speed. 

@Trainmaster04, the engine is clearly being operated on traditional O gauge track with O-31 minimum curves, which is the locomotives rating.

It is actually running on 031 but even on the straights it don't pick up speed. It is smooth as silk otherwise. I will give it the once over and see if it improves. The seller claims it was "greased & oiled" but who knows I need to get in there. They probably didn't touch the brushes. 

Thanks  -  AL

The scale sized Postwar (and some modern era) Hudsons are geared at 18:1.  Even at a full 20 volts they are not the speed demons we are used to.  The gear ratio is in the Lionel service documents as well as the lower top speed.

Other than a lube job, it looks pretty nice. A quick servicing should be all it needs. The 773, IMO, is one of the nicest running Postwar steamers. I also don't like speed demons, despite loving Postwar, and find the 773 to be a perfect engine to run. I've got a nice, clean 1950 version. I'd like to get a 60s version as well someday in the future. 

bmoran4 posted:

The 773 is geared with a much different ratio than its contemporaries and has a much slower speed.

To clarify, what JohnsGG1 said is true.  All of the 700-series Hudsons, beginning in the 2nd year of production (1939) right up through the Vision model are geared at 18:1.  Even with those large wheels, the top speed is muted compared to other Postwar steam locos AND IT'S A BEAUTIFUL THING!  Unlike the smaller locos, these were aimed at adult modelers from the very beginning. 

Another key point is that the motor is rated for 20 volts.  A small transformer, or an older ZW in need of reconditioning won't cut it.

Dennis Waldron (JustTrains) has published some tune-up tips for the Hudsons, but yours seems to run very well, so I would tread carefully:

https://www.justtrains.com/Hudson/773-1.asp

Before you begin, please note that nothing will turn it into a speed demon.  If that's what you want, I'll gladly trade you my 2046 straight across   You have a great runner on your hands.  Enjoy it!!

That’s the speed they run at. I have the 1950 version that had almost 0 hours run time when I got it. After cleaning and a proper lube it runs the same speed as yours. 

With the double worm I would say that engine is more on pulling than speed.

As has been stated the 1950 and also the 1964 to 1966 773 Hudsons were geared at an 18:1 ratio enabling them to run at what was considered to be a more prototypical speed as compared to almost all other Lionel steamers of those eras.  I have both the 1950 and 1966 versions of the 773, both of which are fully serviced, and while the 1950 version runs a tad faster than the 1966 version the difference is infinitesimal.    I think your 773 runs just about right but it still wouldn't hurt to re-check its servicing.  Good luck with your great engine.

I totally agree with some of the above replies that say that prototypically slow speed is highly desirable. Sounds like Al (Fisherdoc) has got himself a gem of an engine. Arnold

Looks like it runs well; notice how it does not even slow down appreciably on the curves.

These locos run better the more you run them; when new all the 700E-derived locos are stiff and slow. They just get better. If yours is low-mileage, "it's not even broken in yet".

Why Lionel put that dinky little tender behind that beautiful scale sized loco, I will never know.

But since Lionel did it, it must be correct, right?

RoyBoy posted:

Why Lionel put that dinky little tender behind that beautiful scale sized loco, I will never know.

But since Lionel did it, it must be correct, right?

Well, I guess they were pretty much on the skids by then and weren't about to put the money into the big, heavy 2426 tender like they did in 1950.  To make matters even worse they put the water scoop on backwards on the 1966 NYC "streamlined" tender.  Like I said they had hit the skids.

I am not sure how much faster you would like it to go but it is running pretty fast from my experience.  However if you have a chance to pick up a real tender I would go for it.

Ted S posted:

bmoran4 posted:

The 773 is geared with a much different ratio than its contemporaries and has a much slower speed.

To clarify, what JohnsGG1 said is true.  All of the 700-series Hudsons, beginning in the 2nd year of production (1939) right up through the Vision model are geared at 18:1.  Even with those large wheels, the top speed is muted compared to other Postwar steam locos AND IT'S A BEAUTIFUL THING!  Unlike the smaller locos, these were aimed at adult modelers from the very beginning. 

Another key point is that the motor is rated for 20 volts.  A small transformer, or an older ZW in need of reconditioning won't cut it.

Dennis Waldron (JustTrains) has published some tune-up tips for the Hudsons, but yours seems to run very well, so I would tread carefully:

https://www.justtrains.com/Hudson/773-1.asp

Before you begin, please note that nothing will turn it into a speed demon.  If that's what you want, I'll gladly trade you my 2046 straight across   You have a great runner on your hands.  Enjoy it!!

First of all a plethora of thanks to you all!  I am new to this model and not familiar with it. I am not looking for a speed demon I just wanted to ensure that nothing was wrong with it since all I am used to are the Lionel engines that ARE speed demons. I appreciate the comments. I paid dearly for this engine and all I want is a good engine. I like the scale speed it doesn't bother me one bit - as long as its normal.

As far as the tender goes, that is NOT the tender that came with the engine LOL! That is MY fault - I was just testing the engine since I literally just got it and didn't bother switching tenders LOL. That tender goes with another Lionel engine. I DO have the original longer NYC Tender that it came with. 

I understand the servicing - I have a 2056 that literally would barely run a few inches and stall. A good cleaning of the motor brushes etc. and a good lube and it is now a speed demon LOL.

I also purchased the 1950 version of this 773 which will be here this Saturday. This one has no tender so I need to get the proper tender which I think is the 2326W? Supposedly the 1950 version did not use the NY Central Lettering it was Lionel Lines. 

Yes, I am spoiling myself FINALLY! 

Thanks - AL

Remember to check and clean commutator . and clean out the slots. They fill up with used carbon . the commutator should not have any black burn marks.

fisherdoc posted:

First of all a plethora of thanks to you all!  I am new to this model and not familiar with it. I am not looking for a speed demon I just wanted to ensure that nothing was wrong with it since all I am used to are the Lionel engines that ARE speed demons. I appreciate the comments. I paid dearly for this engine and all I want is a good engine. I like the scale speed it doesn't bother me one bit - as long as its normal.

As far as the tender goes, that is NOT the tender that came with the engine LOL! That is MY fault - I was just testing the engine since I literally just got it and didn't bother switching tenders LOL. That tender goes with another Lionel engine. I DO have the original longer NYC Tender that it came with. 

I understand the servicing - I have a 2056 that literally would barely run a few inches and stall. A good cleaning of the motor brushes etc. and a good lube and it is now a speed demon LOL.

I also purchased the 1950 version of this 773 which will be here this Saturday. This one has no tender so I need to get the proper tender which I think is the 2326W? Supposedly the 1950 version did not use the NY Central Lettering it was Lionel Lines. 

Yes, I am spoiling myself FINALLY! 

Thanks - AL

If you are not too worried about 100% originality, from time to time, 2426RS tender comes up on the popular auction sites. This tender is almost 100% identical to the postwar 2426W tender. It was made much later and features a very descent sound system. It has a nice diecast shell just like it’s grandpa has.............Pat