Older TMCC Lionel Hudsons, like the 763e (6-18056), does anyone still run them?

OKHIKER posted:

I have the 18056 with the Vandy tender and of all the engines that I own which were manufactured by Lionel during the mid 1990s era it pulls and runs the best.  The Vanderbilt tender doesn't bother me in the least.  I have a Lionel 18064 Mohawk which has one of the great whistles of all time but its not much of a puller. Likewise, the original silver Commodore Vanderbilt falls into the same category as the Mohawk, great whistle but truly a lousy puller.  Nevertheless, I run and enjoy them anyway.

Do you own an 18005? If so, how does it compare with your 18056?

bob2 posted:

Darn.  I keep hoping that the 6-18005s will become greatly disfavored, due to lack of whistle smoke or something, and I will be able to snag one for cheap.  Apparently these 1990s beauties are still favored by a large segment of the Lionel crowd.

They remain popular because they look so great. Something about them, their design and execution, they are a beautiful rendition of this classic engine. Many feel they just look better than almost any other model of the Hudson. 

I have the 18056 Hudson. Several years ago there was a post here on OGR that provided instructions on how to use the #38097 NYC PT Tender in order work with the 18056 Hudson. The PT tender was a separate sale item that was issued to go with one of the streamlined Hudson.

I still have the instructions some where. It involved resetting the board on the engine , or simply doing a factory reset with the PT tender connected to the engine (I can't remember which) so it would communicate with the Railsounds 5 PT Tender. It worked, so now my NYC Vandy tender sits next to the round house. I have plans to place a magnetic strip on the PT tender with the correct number to match the 18056 Hudson.

The fellow who wrote the post took his Vandy tender and lettered it to match Lionel Erie scale Pacific. If I recall he was able to get the Vandy tender to work with the Erie Pacific also.   

I am sorry to say that the 18056 Hudson spends most of it's time parked in the engine service tracks. like many  of us, I just have too many engines. Here is a picture of her gathering dust next to the coaling tower.

Thanks,

Richard

breezinup posted:

bob2 posted:

Darn.  I keep hoping that the 6-18005s will become greatly disfavored, due to lack of whistle smoke or something, and I will be able to snag one for cheap.  Apparently these 1990s beauties are still favored by a large segment of the Lionel crowd.

They remain popular because they look so great. Something about them, their design and execution, they are a beautiful rendition of this classic engine. Many feel they just look better than almost any other model of the Hudson. 

I can vouch for that. It's also as an important part of Lionel's history as the original. The casting on this engine is arguably the best and smoothest of all the Lionel modern Hudsons, at least the ones I own.

As for the 18056, I purchased mine from knowledgeable Lionel collector Bob Karas at York in April this year. I run mine and it's just as good a runner as the other Hudsons. It doesn't get too much time now - mostly since I sold off the Vandy tender - but it will likely get more time when I purchase the CC2 PT Centipede tender.

I have a first generation Boston & Albany TMCC. Runs fine, just basic early technology 

Add me to the list.  I have that loco, as well as the Century Club II Hudson.  Both still run perfectly under TMCC.   I did rehab the smoke unit last year on the 773.   Other than that, they both have been trouble free since purchased new.

Yes, I do run my Vandy tender Hudson, the CCII Hudson, the ATSF Warhorse (great sounding whistle), but still not any run time on the Gold Edition Anniversary Hudson (or the GOLD MTH, as well).  Just cant bring myself to run the shiny ones.. for now, anyway.  Also, have the Red Commodore Vanderbilt, but again, no run time.... yet.  I would like to hear back from anyone who has run the Vanderbilt(s) and make comment.  Of the ones I do/have run... they all perform well for me and I like the earlier TMCC system just fine.  Good examples of Lionel products, everyone.

Jesse    TCA   12-68275 

You guys may cringe at this...  I run my Century Club Hudson from time to time, it's actually very reliable in TMCC mode and the sound is acceptable. Years ago there was an issue in that the rear coupler would open randomly. The dealer tried to fix it, nothing worked. A drop of ACC on the coupler worked... It's an old soldier, but as the saying goes, it soldiers on...

Jan

I have, and love, the Lionel 6-38096 PWC 773 Hudson from 2005. It has a Pullmor motor, TMCC, RS 4e, smoke, wireless tether, coil coupler, and both Magne-Traction and traction tires. Like the prototype, it looks brawny and powerful, and it runs well. The 6-38096 has to be one of Lionel's best Hudsons with a Pullmor motor.

Cheers!

Keith

Keith L posted:

I have, and love, the Lionel 6-38096 PWC 773 Hudson from 2005. It has a Pullmor motor, TMCC, RS 4e, smoke, wireless tether, coil coupler, and both Magne-Traction and traction tires. Like the prototype, it looks brawny and powerful, and it runs well. The 6-38096 has to be one of Lionel's best Hudsons with a Pullmor motor.

Cheers!

Keith

Sounds like a great loco! I have never run one.

Though not prototypical for NYC, I like the look of the Vandy tender, and of the Scullin tires; this engine has them both, so it is one of my favorites.

I still have this locomotive,I paired with the separate sale Lionel Century Club ESE Centipede Tender. Nice runner.

Way back in 2014 I posted on this topic and at that time I said I had the 18056 with the Vandy tender and that it ran very well.  Since that time I paired the 18056 with a Lionel PT tender and I love the looks of the combination.  Still runs great and now it looks even better with the PT tender.  For whatever its worth I still have the Vandy tender. 

Can motors and cruise are better than the old technology BUT - that old technology, properly broken in and lubed, and not asked to do things beyond its capabilities, is just fine on the right layout (072 curves; no meaningful grades - i.e. - my layout). And, these 700E DNA locos are built like household appliances. The gearing is good. The design is almost bullet-proof. Stick with 4-5 car passenger trains or 12-car freights - I can't run more comfortably anyway - and they will serve you well. The 1-chuff/rev can be fixed.

I have a Century Club Hudson too. I absolutely love mine. If you enjoy running the engine, go ahead and run it.

John Meyncke posted:

I have and run the 6-18056 as well. I have never had an issue or problem with it, and it is one of my favorite Hudsons.

I know some gripe about the unrealistic Vandy tender, but to me it is one of the most striking features about this engine. Also, the "dyna-chuff" feature that comes on when the engine is loafing along is beyond cool! I really like this era of Lionel production(1996 etc.) and I collect and operate these often.

The "Warhorse"  ATSF Hudson is also, in my opinion, a must have engine.

Gee...this guy really sounds like he knows what he's talking about...lol...

In all seriousness, after all these years,I still run this engine on a regular basis and I now consider this era of Lionel production one of the best, if not THE best ever.

John

I also have a 6-18056 Hudson. I'm the original owner. It ran great when new, but noisy compared to current engines mostly because of the Pulmore. I love the looks of the Vandy tender even though it's not proto. It's been in storage for over 10 years and I want to start running it again.

I have a question about lubrication. Do I have to take the engine apart to grease the gears, or can I just turn it over and get to the gears that way. Of course, I'll oil the wheels and rods. Also, do you think it'll run on 036 or do I need at least 042? Thanks!

This is the best thing to do to a 18056......but this is just my opinion, of course.......Pat

I'd LOVE to install a Pittman motor in it. There's no way I can do that.

Although spoiled by today's technological advances, I still get a kick running my 18056.  No cruise but the gearing makes up for it. Acceptable slow starting for an AC motor, bell and whistle are top notch, good smoke unit and an overall great looking loco tender combo.  Flip side: one chuff per rev and the tender is very heavy.  It's a keeper.  RICH