Lionel 773 Hudson - 1964 Version

Williams also offered a separate sale 2426 tender lettered for New York Central but the lettering could be redone to match Lionel's font.

Pete

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?

I stand corrected! That IS the tender that came with the 773! I looked at the video again I guess I forgot I switched it out to the correct tender. Yes, it appears to just be one of the usual plastic streamlined tenders lettered for NYC. From what I can tell this is the tender that came with the engine.

I'm not sure which tender is the correct one for the 1950 773?

Thanks! - AL

fisherdoc posted:

I'm not sure which tender is the correct one for the 1950 773?

Thanks! - AL

The 2426W:

Note, Lionel reissued this tender many times since the 80s, so be cautious if you care about originality.

"One sweet dream - came true - today" (Lyric from the 2nd side of the Beatles' Abbey Road album):

Lionel Postwar 773 with NY Central tender, 1964 model.

Here it is in action:

Arnold

So Arnold, based upon your lyrical choice is this a new member for your fleet? If so.....congratulations and enjoy.

@Rich Wiemann posted:

So Arnold, based upon your lyrical choice is this a new member for your fleet? If so.....congratulations and enjoy.

Yes, Rich, I've dreamed of getting a 773 for many years.

By the way, Rich, I just visited your Forum profile, and love the picture of your daughter or granddaughter running your or her trains.

Hey Arnold,  Fendermain here...longtime sir.  That engine is top notch...top notch.  I am delighted that you were able to acquire a fine example.

@Fendermain posted:

Hey Arnold,  Fendermain here...longtime sir.  That engine is top notch...top notch.  I am delighted that you were able to acquire a fine example.

I just re-visited your profile, Fendermain. In addition to trains and guitars, we now have something else in common: hiking, a brand new passion of mine. After getting outfitted at REI with 2 pairs of hiking boots and a back pack this week, I was going to go on my first hike this morning with a hiking group at Anthony's Nose along the Hudson near the Bear Mountain Bridge, but the leader says that hike is too strenuous for a 1st time hiker.

Back to trains, the 773 is marvelous mechanically, such a smooth as silk runner. I'm thrilled with it and wish all Forum members who like Postwar can have one.

After doing O Gauge for 67 years, I have a fair amount of Postwar and modern Lionel and modern MTH, K Line, and Williams. Comparisons can be odious and there is something I find appealing about each locomotive I have, but this 773 is definitely my #1 Postwar engine, and may be my #1 over all. Certainly, it is for today. Its between the 773, an MTH Proto 3 RS3 smoking diesel, and an LC+ Jersey Central Pacific. Arnold

.

There was a poster in a hobby shop I frequented before it came out for $565 I think and me being new to the hobby figured I'll never spend that much on a engine. A few years later I paid $750 for mine and that was a good deal back then.

My 1964 773 next to the Williams 1980's brass version.  While I am not a die-hard postwar collector, the 773 does a good job of holding it's own on details.  I won mine through my TCA Desert Division annual raffle and I'm proud to have it.

Congratulations Arnold. Enjoy the 773.

MELGAR

Arnold!
your 773 dream come true!
awesome video, thx for sharing.

now  want one! Lol.

@Leroof posted:

Arnold!
your 773 dream come true!
awesome video, thx for sharing.

now  want one! Lol.

Leroof, I would love for you to one day get one, especially because I know you love quality Postwar.

Another gorgeous Postwar locomotive, which tends to be substantially less expensive, is the 736 Berkshire.  Arnold

@Ted S posted:

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!!

Does anyone have a copy of the document linked to the above post as the justtrains website seems to not be working likely due to the recent passing of Dennis Waldron?

Thanks,

Bill T

the motors on the 64-65 773s were considered the least well made of the series of Hudson motors.  Compared, for example, with the 1950s.   I have read that they were made in Japan and not especially well.

The original 773 (1950) motor was an application of the 622 switcher motor, which means it was never really designed for the situation.  Toss in weight and mediocre manufacturing and you get - - - slow.

For $50 and a rectifier, a Timko motor will make your 773 into a ton of fun!

John

Different spacing on the NYC lettering on some '60s versions.

fisherdoc - Further to harmonyards comment about perhaps pairing a different tender with this engine, another alternative would be Lionel's die-cast 2046 long streamlined 'unmarked' tender (6-19820) equipped with RailSounds II which was released in 1995-96.

@WftTrains posted:

Does anyone have a copy of the document linked to the above post as the justtrains website seems to not be working likely due to the recent passing of Dennis Waldron?

Thanks,

Bill T

I also had saved that website link  but it is no longer available.  Maybe start a new topic for a link to the hudson upgrades?  I'd be interested in a follow up also.

@Dan65train posted:

I also had saved that website link  but it is no longer available.  Maybe start a new topic for a link to the hudson upgrades?  I'd be interested in a follow up also.

Dan:

THanks for the good suggestion, so I just did it.  Hopefully we'll get some responses.

Bill T

@Dan65train posted:

I also had saved that website link  but it is no longer available.

@WftTrains posted:

Does anyone have a copy of the document linked to the above post as the justtrains website seems to not be working likely due to the recent passing of Dennis Waldron?

The front page is archived HERE but it appears the rest of the article has not been imaged in the Wayback Machine. Too bad.