NYC Classics

Here are a couple of my Dreyfuss Hudsons. First off is an MTH PS3 from the last run a few years ago. Great paint and detail. Close to 3rd Rails but loses minor points in valve gear detail.

Next is my 3rd Rail Dreyfuss. This was purchased previously owned. When it arrived it was very a disappointing runner. Drivers were obviously out of quarter. I purchased it to match the GGD 1940 20th Century Cars. It seems no manufacturers engines match others cars and vice versa. You can see how different the color of this engine is from the MTH engine.
I finally got around to purchasing a quartering tool and today quartered the drivers and shimmed the gearbox. No complaints now. The odd chuff is due to cam anomalies.

This engine has TAS EOB. Runs fairly smooth but with the odd built in momentum “feature”.

The NYC purchased these engines in two batches. The first were delivered with boxpok drivers and plain bearing rods. The second group came with Scullin Disks and roller bearing rods. MTH does the early release while 3rd Rail, Lionel, and Williams Masterpiece have done the later group.

Pete

The last steam locomotives made for the New York Central. The A2a Berkshire. Happy Front End Friday NYC fans!!!

Skip, I really like the A2a Berk and I’m hoping to add one to my collection some day.
I’m visiting my brother this weekend and we set up a ‘carpet central’.  He collects Standard Gauge and I’m into modern O.  We had a great time running our ‘999’s.  Like everyone else, we sure are going to miss MTH.  These wouldn’t exist without them.

Have a great weekend everyone!

@rjsmithindy posted:

Skip, I really like the A2a Berk and I’m hoping to add one to my collection some day.
I’m visiting my brother this weekend and we set up a ‘carpet central’.  He collects Standard Gauge and I’m into modern O.  We had a great time running our ‘999’s.  Like everyone else, we sure are going to miss MTH.  These wouldn’t exist without them.

Have a great weekend everyone!

The A2a was a very interesting P&LE engine that the parent NYC forced them to order 10 of after the P&LE management was already pursuing dieselization. Only 7 were built when the contract was canceled.

Here is my model with it's replacement sneaking up on it.

If You will note the tender is lettered "New York Central System" not "New York Central."  At the top of the coal bin you will see"P&LE."

Ron

@Oscale_Trains_Lover_ posted:

Skip,

That can be attributed to the MTH/Lionel lawsuit, sadly you wont see a Lionel Dreyfuss Hudson for a long time....

Bruk did upgrade a TMCC Dreyfuss to Legacy:
Lionel NYC Dreyfus 6-28084 LEGACY Upgrade-video 8-23-20 | O Gauge Railroading On Line Forum (ogaugerr.com)

As an aside, this is a fantastic thread!

Bryce

Not on topic but related to the lawsuit. I have the Lionel Hudson Mike/MTH used in the lawsuit as an Exhibit for the Plaintiff complete with the Exhibit hang tags. I bought it from him at the MTH parts booth at York a few years back. I even tried to get a copy of the Exhibits list from the court case but the Court documents were sent off to storage long before I made my request and it was virtually impossible to have the file pulled and the documents copied. According to the Court, if the documents were still in the courthouse storage facility, for a small fee it would have been easy.

Mike

Since we’re on the subject of the Dreyfuss Hudsons.....here’s a tough one to find,........#5453 with PT tender, sits alongside ESE # 5426, also equipped with PT tender,....note the roller rods, as this is the only MTH Premier NYC Hudson to receive this treatment,....which is correct for #5453 still in Dreyfuss clothing,...

Pat

Ah, the Dreyfuss Hudson, the one that continues to get away. Yesterday evening I happen to see one on eBay(was late evening yesterday). I took a better look much later and the seller had it on bid, hardly used, former TCA member. Even had the cars that went with it on separate auction. Well, I wanted to read more today which I did at breakfast, but had stuff to do. I pop in just after 1, gone. Argh! The one that still gets away. I think I may lose my mind, lol.

@Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:

Ah, the Dreyfuss Hudson, the one that continues to get away. Yesterday evening I happen to see one on eBay(was late evening yesterday). I took a better look much later and the seller had it on bid, hardly used, former TCA member. Even had the cars that went with it on separate auction. Well, I wanted to read more today which I did at breakfast, but had stuff to do. I pop in just after 1, gone. Argh! The one that still gets away. I think I may lose my mind, lol.

Stop resisting Dave, .....the locomotive anonymous group lied to you about showing restraint. It is indeed a sign of weakness TO resist. So take one Dreyfuss, and call me in the morning,....you’ll feel a lot better,....promise,....

Pat

@harmonyards posted:

Stop resisting Dave, .....the locomotive anonymous group lied to you about showing restraint. It is indeed a sign of weakness TO resist. So take one Dreyfuss, and call me in the morning,....you’ll feel a lot better,....promise,....

Pat

What is really funny, and ironic is if I wasn't so darn tired I was going to message you for your opinion on it, and other such things. Since my buddy showed up, I had a message in my voicemail, and other things to get taken care of(which I still have banking to look at, lol), I didn't get a chance. Was so tired, figured I'd have time today. Well, that went out the window. I'll get there some time soon. Maybe I'll talk to Tony my LTS guy as he always finds stuff. He had gotten an original 1937(I think) Hudson that was posted on here somewhere a few years ago. I do know he has the original B6 model as well as the late 80's or early 90's version in his store. I'll hop the train sometime, just got to get my ticket punched, lol.

@Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:

What is really funny, and ironic is if I wasn't so darn tired I was going to message you for your opinion on it, and other such things. Since my buddy showed up, I had a message in my voicemail, and other things to get taken care of(which I still have banking to look at, lol), I didn't get a chance. Was so tired, figured I'd have time today. Well, that went out the window. I'll get there some time soon. Maybe I'll talk to Tony my LTS guy as he always finds stuff. He had gotten an original 1937(I think) Hudson that was posted on here somewhere a few years ago. I do know he has the original B6 model as well as the late 80's or early 90's version in his store. I'll hop the train sometime, just got to get my ticket punched, lol.

The Lionel 28084 Dreyfuss is another one of those “ diamonds in the rough” ....sometimes the Oddesy can go flaky, but they’re bulletproof drivetrains.......even if you do happen to land one of those, a smoke upgrade, Cruise M and it’s up to snuff in short order,.....also, master builders Bruk & Sid do some amazing Legacy upgrades on those as well,.....every once in a while, one will pop up on the popular sites for 5-600 bucks,.....the 28084 Dreyfuss is mechanically identical to the 28072 J3 & the 38041 J3 ,....that whole family of Hudsons are the best of the best IMO as far as mechanics go,.....

Pat

Happy Grand Central Sunday!!!

@NYC Fan posted:

Happy Grand Central Sunday!!!

Magnificent!

Seems the subject of geeps has come up recently. While I like my steam I do have a few diesels. Lionel from 2008, I believe it may be their first diesel with Legacy.

Pete

Just added one of the late Williams Classic NYC Mikado to the roster.  Runs great!  Lots of added detail on these late engines which come in the silver and red stripe boxes.

Rolland

@Norton posted:

Seems the subject of geeps has come up recently. While I like my steam I do have a few diesels. Lionel from 2008, I believe it may be their first diesel with Legacy.

Pete

My Favorite NYC diesel!

RS11.

Skip, I am a fan of the RS11s as well.

Pete

Happy Tail End Tuesday to all New York Central enthusiasts from Grand Central Terminal on my railroad.

The Lionel CupolaCam NYC Caboose!!! Great looking piece of equipment.

You know, one of the best Cabooses(cabeeses) I've ever bought was one of the mid to late 90's NYC ones. I can remember going to one of the other train stores by me that had mostly other sizes, but managed to carry a good variety of O rolling stock. I would pop in and browse the shelves a while and would eventually find something that tickled my fancy, such was my first purchase there, that NYC caboose.

Unfortunately like all small shops that cater to us train nuts(lovers or what have you), they were pushed out of business. There used to be about 5 around me within 10-25 minutes drive, now only one remains. I miss all those other folks just for who they were. I'll have to see about finding that particular caboose, might take me a while.

@Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:

You know, one of the best Cabooses(cabeeses) I've ever bought was one of the mid to late 90's NYC ones. I can remember going to one of the other train stores by me that had mostly other sizes, but managed to carry a good variety of O rolling stock. I would pop in and browse the shelves a while and would eventually find something that tickled my fancy, such was my first purchase there, that NYC caboose.

Unfortunately like all small shops that cater to us train nuts(lovers or what have you), they were pushed out of business. There used to be about 5 around me within 10-25 minutes drive, now only one remains. I miss all those other folks just for who they were. I'll have to see about finding that particular caboose, might take me a while.

Dave, What type of caboose was it? What color? Logo? Which one?

@NYC Fan posted:

Dave, What type of caboose was it? What color? Logo? Which one?

I'll have to look Skip. I think it is similar to your cam one.

Well, I looked, took not to long, I had thought I found it right away but the other two were more recent purchases. So here it is, the old bugger. I think it says built in 86? I forgot to look closely and remember. It's been a rough work day. At least I got though to the insurance company about my cracked windshield.

Aside from that, I bet you have this same caboose somewhere Skip.

Sorry for the backdrop, this is the back bedroom/storage which is supposed to be emptied to become the layout room. Lots of boxes, they've traveled from room to room over the past 15 years or so.

@Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:

Well, I looked, took not to long, I had thought I found it right away but the other two were more recent purchases. So here it is, the old bugger. I think it says built in 86? I forgot to look closely and remember. It's been a rough work day. At least I got though to the insurance company about my cracked windshield.

Aside from that, I bet you have this same caboose somewhere Skip.

Sorry for the backdrop, this is the back bedroom/storage which is supposed to be emptied to become the layout room. Lots of boxes, they've traveled from room to room over the past 15 years or so.

Dave is this a die cat or plastic body?

Ron

@PRRronbh posted:

Dave is this a die cat or plastic body?

Ron

Plastic.

That was an uncataloged piece. Might have been part of the flyer with the 785 Hudson.

@NYC Fan posted:

That was an uncataloged piece. Might have been part of the flyer with the 785 Hudson.

Well, it's my first O-Scale NYC caboose, and I love it. I guess that may be why I paid what I paid, plus it not being a regular O-Scale dealer at the time.

Happy Thirsty Thursday NYC fans!!!

While we're on a NYC caboose sub-theme, here's a K-Line NYC smoking caboose I've been slowly working on lately, replacing the original incandescent bulbs with some LEDs (from forum sponsor Evan Designs), an LED strip and using GRJ's LED lighting board.

These are / were great when K-Line was around. Wish I bought more.

The interior of the caboose with all new LED's & wiring installed.

Here is where I replaced the marker light bulbs with Evan Designs' all around pico-sized LED's. They fit right into the same hole with no modifications needed to the caboose body.

Testing the lights before buttoning up the caboose.

While in there, I free-hand painted a bit of the one desk & chair visible through the window. And I had a guy that fit well in that chair, that would be the conductor. GRJ's LED driver is tucked into the closet behind the guy. Fits in there perfectly.

Now to put this mess all back together.

Tom

Wow!!! Nice!!!! I was just thinking about doing that to all my cabooses, but didn't know were to start or even how to start.

Here’s one of my favorites, the K-Line J1e NYC Hudson, Pat at “Harmon Yards” re-built this beautiful styled steamer for a renewed service for New Yorkers. This is a really neat thread. Happy Railroading Everyone

Here is a really bad photo of a couple Lionel NYC cabooses in my accumulation.

@GregM posted:

Here is a really bad photo of a couple Lionel NYC cabooses in my accumulation.

How could it be a bad photo? It's New York Central! They are always photogenic.

@GregM posted:

Here is a really bad photo of a couple Lionel NYC cabooses in my accumulation.

I used to think that the Lionel plastic NYC caboose was wrong to have the grabs circle the cupola roof and the ladder rails above the roof but have since come across photos of the B&A and Michigan Central cabeese that in fact look like that. The B&A more so as the Michigan Centrals varied in other ways including Cupola height and window arrangement. The NYC 19000 cabeese did not have the ladders extend above the roof and only corner grabs on the cupola. Lionels 717 and modern die cast cabeese are correct.

Pete

@GregM posted:

Here is a really bad photo of a couple Lionel NYC cabooses in my accumulation.

The B&A Caboose was offered with the 784 B&A Hudson. Was the #6907 offered with the Gray 785 Hudson?

@NYC Fan posted:

The B&A Caboose was offered with the 784 B&A Hudson. Was the #6907 offered with the Gray 785 Hudson?

I haven’t seen the flyer for a long time so I am probably wrong but I think both of those cabooses were offered with the B&A Hudson.  I seem to remember that there was some discussion around whether someone could have the “complete set” if they didn’t have both cabooses.  I only have these cabooses, never got the Hudson or the other cars.

The 17600 NYC caboose is the one that was offered with the 785 Gray Hudson.  I purchased both items from Doug's Train World back in 1988 when they first came out. I still have the receipts that I kept for nostalgia sake. I paid almost $850 for both. Up until then that was the most expensive purchase I ever made in my entire life on trains. That was almost 1/3 of the price that I paid for my first car! A 77 Thunderbird! Boy am I glad mom taught me the value of a dollar or I would have never been able to purchase either.  That price made the Presidential Set I got from Madison Hardware look like nothing!

I wasn't really happy when I unwrapped the new Lionel NYC ten wheeler, because of the funky primer gray boiler front, but it is an incredible locomotive.

The sounds, smoke and whistle steam are great.

Maintenance Of Way Track Cleaning Train. Lionel A5 0-4-0 Switcher pulling, and pushing, 2 North East Trains track cleaning cars (one with track cleaning pads and one with ScotchBrite pads) and a Lionel work caboose.

@NYC Fan posted:

Maintenance Of Way Track Cleaning Train. Lionel A5 0-4-0 Switcher pulling, and pushing, 2 North East Trains track cleaning cars (one with track cleaning pads and one with ScotchBrite pads) and a Lionel work caboose.

I'm more hung up on the Dreyfuss showing off in the corner Skip. Even though both pictures of it are not the iconic face showing itself, you can't help but fall in love with that gray with the New York Central in stripes.

Finished the led lighting conversion on the K-Line caboose I covered earlier, above. I put a light coat of Tamiya Clear Orange X-26 paint on all the leds to give the interior a warmer lighting effect closer to old incandescent lighting. A great trick / tip I learned on this forum. Even though I bought a warm white led roll, it was still too harsh for the look I was going for a 1930's caboose. I'm pleased with the outcome.

The Evan Designs all-around pico sized leds work perfect in the marker lamps on the caboose. No caboose mods are needed and they completely light up the lamps.

Tom

@NYC2UP posted:

Finished the led lighting conversion on the K-Line caboose I covered earlier, above. I put a light coat of Tamiya Clear Orange X-26 paint on all the leds to give the interior a warmer lighting effect closer to old incandescent lighting. A great trick / tip I learned on this forum. Even though I bought a warm white led roll, it was still too harsh for the look I was going for a 1930's caboose. I'm pleased with the outcome.

The Evan Designs all-around pico sized leds work perfect in the marker lamps on the caboose. No caboose mods are needed and they completely light up the lamps.

Tom

K-Line made at least 3 great NYC cabooses all around the same time.

There's a great EV caboose and a Jade Green BW caboose.

Lionel L2a Mohawk 2770

@NYC Fan posted:

Lionel L2a Mohawk 2770

Ah, the magic of steam. Driving past the city, hauling whatever freight the world needs. The New York Central, delivering your everyday needs.

Dang, that almost sounds like a PR ad for them.

Are there more classics out there yet to be posted?

No end of classics to be posted. This arrived yesterday. Everything works and is intact. Awaiting detailing.

Pete

New York Central Steam Switchers.

I love the NYC 7745! I would like to have that one or a modern remake at some point if they ever get it right again. How does it compare to the newer engines and have you upgraded anything on your one?

@Norton posted:

No end of classics to be posted. This arrived yesterday. Everything works and is intact. Awaiting detailing.

Pete

I saw a deleted post yesterday, was curious when. I would see these. I think I ordered the darker ones, can't remember, I'll have to look.

@NYC Fan posted:

New York Central Steam Switchers.

Now that is a ton load of switchers. Good to see New York Central Classics are alive and well. 😁

A city look for a little switcher.

Here are a couple of photos that I find interesting. The West Side Freight Line in Manhattan began at Spuyten Duyvil at the northern tip of the island and terminated at the St. Johns Park Freight Terminal in lower Manhattan. In the days before the Hi-Line, trains ran on the streets between 33rd Street and the SJP freight terminal which was located south of Canal Street. It was on the block bordered by Laight Street and Beech Street on the north and south and Varick Street and Hudson Street on the east and west.  This photo is looking south on Hudson Street from the building on the north west corner of Laight Street. It seems fascinating the way the tracks entered the building and even more interesting is the shrouded 0-6-0T steam switcher, known as a "Dummy Engine" in the foreground. Ten of these locomotives were shrouded to keep them from scaring horses on the street. There were also ten shrouded 0-4-0Ts in the same kind of service.

This photo is form the NY City Historical Society.

Here is a photo taken from just outside the doorway on the lower left side of the above photo looking to the north on Hudson Street with a little 0-6-0T switcher #1902.

This photo (below) was taken by George Grantham and is looking north on 10th Avenue from 25th Street. It shows a shrouded 0-4-0T steam switcher #11 pulling backwards 4 boxcars about to cross 26th Street.  Note the Cowboy on horseback warning traffic and pedestrians of the approaching train. Although the photo is labled across the top "R.R. on 11th Avenue N.Y.C." I've researched the businesses in the photo and this was definitely 10th Avenue. At the upper right, a train is coming across 30th Street and entering a siding in a building between 30th and 29th Streets and between 10th Avenue and 9th Avenue. The main route curved onto 10th Ave at 30th Street and followed 10th Avenue until 10th Avenue and 11th Avenue merged into West Street at Gansevoort Street. It followed West Street along the Hudson River to Canal Street and turned east onto Canal Street to Hudson Street where it curved south to the St. Johns Park Terminal.    

I'm seriously considering turning one of these Lionel 0-6-0T's into one of these "Dummy Engines."

Skip that 0-6-0T looks great on the Hi-Line.

Classic NYC Woodside Merchants Dispatch Reefer Cars.

Here is a Mechants Dispatch picking up bushels of peaches on the Putnam Division.

From the late Joe Schiavone's book, "More of the Old Put."

@NYC Fan posted:

Classic NYC Woodside Merchants Dispatch Reefer Cars.

Skip;

Sharp looking cars. Now, I am not a rivet counter, but something looks odd - from the catalog pics, all three cars have a red stripe on the bottom of the car and identical graphics. Your shots show a Michigan Central car in the center - is that part of the set or just a car you added???

@Apples55 posted:

Skip;

Sharp looking cars. Now, I am not a rivet counter, but something looks odd - from the catalog pics, all three cars have a red stripe on the bottom of the car and identical graphics. Your shots show a Michigan Central car in the center - is that part of the set or just a car you added???

Hi Paul,

There are a mix of about 10 Atlas O, Lionel, Weaver(Crown) and K-Line Merchants Dispatch cars on that train. The Michigan Central car is a K-Line car, 17180 is Atlas O. BTW, the stripe on the cars that have stripes is red white and blue on the bottom.

Nice looking cars, especially altogether in the same consist.....

Peter

@NYC Fan posted:

Hi Paul,

There are a mix of about 10 Atlas O, Lionel, Weaver(Crown) and K-Line Merchants Dispatch cars on that train. The Michigan Central car is a K-Line car, 17180 is Atlas O. BTW, the stripe on the cars that have stripes is red white and blue on the bottom.

Thanks, Skip. I erroneously thought that they were the new Vision set from Lionel (which I am thinking of picking up!!!)

Some more Merchants Dispatch Woodside Reefers.

Skip, very sharp looking train.  Must be an express to hurry the perishables to their destination.

Also, look at the way that smoke is billowing out of Skip's engine. Almost like the real deal. Perhaps the Spirit of the New York Central paid that engine a visit.......

Here is the local collecting a few cars.

Pete

@Norton posted:

Here is the local collecting a few cars.

Pete

Pete,

I''m a big fan of scale sized small locomotives.  I love these moguls. Can you tell me more about them?

I have the Lionel TMCC version.

Hi Skip, the two in the video are TMCC also. Probably the best Lionel made as they are the only ones with Pittmans. 1916 is a former Wabash one relettered. Turns out 1916 was actually a Mogul, not a ten wheeler that Lionel numbered one of those for so I was able to get the 1916 Railsounds board and headlight/taillight and front number plate. The two lobe cam has been replaced with a 4 lobe. That is the only mechanical mod to these engines. Rest of the electronics are original Odyssey. I also have a pair of Legacy ones I relettered for NYC. Both only needed a front rod bushing to operate normally.

The only advantage of the Legacy Moguls is they can be lashed up (avert your eyes Rich) with other Legacy. The TMCC ones only run with other TMCC Moguls.

EDIT the video is of my two Legacy engines.

These are my TMCC pair.

Pete

@Norton posted:

Hi Skip, the two in the video are TMCC also. Probably the best Lionel made as they are the only ones with Pittmans. 1916 is a former Wabash one relettered. Turns out 1916 was actually a Mogul, not a ten wheeler that Lionel numbered one of those for so I was able to get the 1916 Railsounds board and headlight/taillight and front number plate. The two lobe cam has been replaced with a 4 lobe. That is the only mechanical mod to these engines. Rest of the electronics are original Odyssey. I also have a pair of Legacy ones I relettered for NYC. Both only needed a front rod bushing to operate normally.

The only advantage of the Legacy Moguls is they can be lashed up (avert your eyes Rich) with other Legacy. The TMCC ones only run with other TMCC Moguls.

EDIT the video is of my two Legacy engines.

these are my TMCC pair.

Pete

Beautiful Pete!!!! Legacy is a great thing!!!!

I'll be getting 1924 Mogul probably by Friday. I had to Duke it out on eBay with a bid in the last 7 seconds to win it. Got real crazy, but I just got mine in. Be great to see it when it arrives.

@Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:

Also, look at the way that smoke is billowing out of Skip's engine. Almost like the real deal. Perhaps the Spirit of the New York Central paid that engine a visit.......

Dave and Pete, Here is a little video of the new F12e and MDT reefers.

@NYC Fan posted:

Dave and Pete, Here is a little video of the new F12e and MDT reefers.

Looking great Skip.

Those MDT cars are really smart looking... Just couldn’t pass the new Lionel Vision set.

@Apples55 posted:

Those MDT cars are really smart looking... Just couldn’t pass the new Lionel Vision set.

Paul,

The cars look great! I see you also have the #1232 ten wheeler. Those cars are a perfect match. I may have to invest in a set of those cars. They appear to be steel sided, and with my wood sided cars they would make an interesting consist.

Lionel also made these steel sided MDT cars that you might like.

And I've also added these K-Line cars to the consist.

Is that car above built by Lionel - MDT 13036? I'm familiar with the other one.

The cars in the first video above headed by Mogul 565 are a white MDT made by Atlas and yellow woodsided MDTs are Red Caboose. Just about everyone made MDT reefers in wood and steel representing different eras.

Pete

It looks like it might be made by MTH.

@Randy_B posted:

Is that car above built by Lionel - MDT 13036? I'm familiar with the other one.

My mistake Randy, you are correct. The 13036 car is MTH. The 12322 is Lionel.

Lionel New York Central F-12 Ten-Wheeler #1232

MELGAR

2013 marked the 100th anniversary of the opening of Grand Central Terminal. Some very nice commemorative pieces were offered for sale at the terminal during the celebration. This little replica of the statuary on top of Grand Central Terminal was one of the treasures I bought during my visits.

I'll chip these in -

Cheers,

- Mike

Mike, Thanks for posting these again. Its been a while. Your collection was an inspiration for me and my fleet. Now I just need a place to display them.

Pete

Here's my offering for the NYC Classics - Bing ca. mid to late 1920's

@Mike Casatelli posted:

I'll chip these in -

Cheers,

- Mike

Mike those curved glass shelves are fantastic!!!! And that display case isn’t shabby either. Great presentation.

Thanks for the kind comments guys, especially since I've posted these pix several times before. Pete, @Norton, I have to say I'm flattered. The Depression Modern display is the result of my not having any room for a layout and the fact that I'm not good with clubs. This is about all I could do with my trains. Here are some shots of the seldom seen remainder of the room -

Hudsons

Mohawks, Niagara, Other Steam, and Diseasels

And Rich, @Rich Wiemann, this shot ought to give you a better idea of what the 099 Silica Curve is really like.

That's a GCT bound New Haven train on the lowest level.

Thanks again to you two and to all who added likes to my original post. And by the way, I do give photography lessons on the side. No camera required.

Cheers,

- Mike

@NYC Fan posted:

K-Line made at least 3 great NYC cabooses all around the same time.

There's a great EV caboose and a Jade Green BW caboose.

Did you use a flicker-free power controller or di you simply replace the bulbs?    It looks very nice.

@NYC Fan posted:

2013 marked the 100th anniversary of the opening of Grand Central Terminal. Some very nice commemorative pieces were offered for sale at the terminal during the celebration. This little replica of the statuary on top of Grand Central Terminal was one of the treasures I bought during my visits.

That is beautiful. I know that from listening to the History Channel that the original building Vanderbilt was huge. Thing is I can't remember when the original building was rebuilt to what was refurbished in recent times. Do you know Skip?

Dave,

If I understand your question the current Grand Central Terminal was completed in 1913. Grand Central Depot, which preceded the Terminal was completed in 1871. It was rennovated (enlarged) in 1898 but it did not expand the train capacity and the increase in traffic volume had created a need for more tracks. This need for more tracks, and the requirement to electrify  the tracks coming into Grand Central as a result of the 1902 train crash in the Park Avenue tunnel,  were major factors in the planing and construction of the current Grand Central Terminal. I believe construction began shortly after the city granted the New York Central certain subsurface rights in 1903.

The "Thoroughest of the Thoroughbreds!!!" The J3a 'Super Hudsons' and paraphrasing Al Staufer's book on all of the New York Central Hudsons entitled "Thoroughbreds."

NYC Fan - it looks like you have plenty of switching opportunities on your layout but in the off chance you might want to do something else with all of those M.D.T reefers you could set up a siding for Eastman Kodak.  According to the book The Snowflaker by Kachler, Eastman Kodak loaded  5 to 10 of these cars with film destined for Hollywood every day back in the 1940's and 50's.

@Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:

That is beautiful. I know that from listening to the History Channel that the original building Vanderbilt was huge. Thing is I can't remember when the original building was rebuilt to what was refurbished in recent times. Do you know Skip?

This particular photo could not have been taken before late 1912/early 1913.  A photo taken in September 1911 shows the steelwork.  Completing the façade up to where that photo was taken was another year of work.  The official completion and opening of the station was in 1913.   Various parts of the station were opened between 1906 and 1913.

For an accurate history of GCT, see Grand Central, The Wolrd's Greatest Railway Terminal by William D. Middleton in 1977.

Figured I would take some time after yesterday chopping a branch that was nearly separated from the rest of the cedar tree causing mowing problems. I figured today was a good break day. Only thing I did that required any effort was seasoning up some pork chops, drumsticks, and steak. After that, popped into the living room to run 1924 Mogul. Added some smoke fluid in there to get some nice smoke going(on a white background it is hard to see).

@Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:

Figured I would take some time after yesterday chopping a branch that was nearly separated from the rest of the cedar tree causing mowing problems. I figured today was a good break day. Only thing I did that required any effort was seasoning up some pork chops, drumsticks, and steak. After that, popped into the living room to run 1924 Mogul. Added some smoke fluid in there to get some nice smoke going(on a white background it is hard to see).

Great little engine. If and when they make a Legacy NYC Mogul, I'm in!!!

@NYC Fan posted:

Great little engine. If and when they make a Legacy NYC Mogul, I'm in!!!

As long as it isn't like the last batch though some fixes were made to only a few. Rest ended up in the scrap heap(the Legacy Mogul fiasco of a few years ago that is)

@Robert S. Butler posted:

NYC Fan - it looks like you have plenty of switching opportunities on your layout but in the off chance you might want to do something else with all of those M.D.T reefers you could set up a siding for Eastman Kodak.  According to the book The Snowflaker by Kachler, Eastman Kodak loaded  5 to 10 of these cars with film destined for Hollywood every day back in the 1940's and 50's.

Hi Robert!  Would that have happened in Rochester, NY?

NYC Fan - yes, it did.  The cars for loading were always first sent to the M.D.T shops in East Rochester for cleaning and painting.  When the cars were painted they had to use paint approved by Kodak because the fumes from drying paint for some types of paint would fog the film.

  By the way, the book by Kachler is all about his experiences working for the NYC in Rochester.  It's a paperback in the shape of a standard magazine - there are about 85 pages of text and 15 pages of photographs.

@NYC Fan posted:

Hi Robert!  Would that have happened in Rochester, NY?

Movie film was always made in Rochester and may be last type of photographic film still made here. Still camera film is made elsewhere, where ????????

Pete

I do recall that in the 50's and 60's there was a Brand B, but I don't recall the name - wasn't seen much

I received this NYC 5344 (700E) last week as a gift from a good friend. The motor had some problems so I just replaced it with a good used original...here’s the first run !!!

HiYa, Bob @taycotrains-

I didn't comment on your original post about this 700E, but I can't resist commenting now. I was with your very "good friend" in Manhattan when he acquired this true Lionel classic a half-century or so ago. It's great to see it all these years later running as originally intended. Treasure it, and enjoy it. And you know what they say about keeping your friends close  . . .

Cheers,

- Mike

Pete - Kodak made both movie film and still camera film in Rochester.  In the case of 35mm film the only difference between the two is the final packaging. A quick check with Google indicates both are still made there.

@Mike Casatelli posted:

HiYa, Bob @taycotrains-

I didn't comment on your original post about this 700E, but I can't resist commenting now. I was with your very "good friend" in Manhattan when he acquired this true Lionel classic a half-century or so ago. It's great to see it all these years later running as originally intended. Treasure it, and enjoy it. And you know what they say about keeping your friends close  . . .

Cheers,

- Mike

Mike .....all I can say is “WOW” !!!

Our freind mentioned your name several times but I never put it together here on the forum...small world !!!

A NYC Classic for tail end Tuesday. J3a Hudson 5413 with PT Tender backing on to the turntable.

Nice backing on to the turntable Skip. Nice coaling tower in the background too. What one is that(the coaling tower that is)?

@Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:

Nice backing on to the turntable Skip. Nice coaling tower in the background too. What one is that(the coaling tower that is)?

That is two Bachmann coaling towers kitbashed into one, with a few extra detail parts for the chutes and some external lights added.

Awesome Skip. Now that you have said that, I feel like this has been answered once before on another thread. Maybe it was on the "Let's see your coaling towers" thread. Still very cool. This way everyone who hasn't know before does now. Great detailing.

How about this NYC Classic I got delivered on Thursday? It has been years in the hunting for this lovely masterpiece and I managed to get lucky by making an offer to the seller on Ebay instead of going down to the wire on the auction. I am so pleased to finally get one of these that I have long been searching for. I remember seeing one I think in 2015 at my local train dealer on his shelf when I was just getting back into the hobby. I am so happy for everyone who has been pushing me to get after getting this set since it is one of the best Hudson's ever modeled(from what most have said).

Now since this upcoming weekend will be a free weekend, hopefully I can get to dedicate some time working on getting the treadmill tore up in the back bedroom(maybe on Sunday). Saturday I have plans to pop down to my local train store and put in my order for the new catalog. I am still thinking about some things in there and haven't quite decided on everything I want. I usually am a PITA on deciding some things as I like to know exactly what the piece is(mostly when it comes to rollings stock for what time period it is in). I try not to go past what year I want to model on these things(1949) but have probably made an exception or two that might not all be clear.

Anyway, here is my newest acquisition, the Lionel 50th Anniversary Hudson.