UPGRADED LIONEL DREYFUS HUDSON

Alex,

I have the same engine and is one of my favorites. Never did any upgrades to it. Do like the puff chuff action on yours.

Nice Alex. Who needs Legacy? 

Pete

Norton posted:

Nice Alex. Who needs Legacy? 

 

Pete

Hey Pete, I suspect you’re being rhetorical, but I would love to have one in Legacy!  I been hoping for one at each catalog release for quite some time. Maybe I’ll have to find an older one and send it to Alex after seeing his video. I always get caught up in the cost comparison trap of debating what it would take to find one and then upgrade it versus waiting for one to show up in the catalog. 

Back to the subject, great job Alex and I always appreciate the videos you share of your work. 

You can take my comment quite literally. To me the only thing Legacy adds to what Alex has produced is the ability to double head engines.

Pre Legacy TMCC engines were well made and are easily repaired. They work for me. I don't need the added smoke effects though I understand why many do.

Pete

Pete, I have to admit that I chose Legacy over DCS because of whistle steam. Having said that, I’m convinced there will never be a Legacy Dreyfus, so maybe I should get an older one and have it converted. Which one would you recommend and what all would you do to it?

The only MTH engine I own is a PS-2 Dreyfus. I bought it years ago and used to run it conventionally before I installed Legacy command on my layout.  Now it just sits on the shelf. I thought about having it converted with ERR, but I would still be stuck with a tether (right?) and wouldn’t it kill the sounds?

You can straighten the tether and add a deck plate to make it almost disappear. I do that to all my older MTH engines. I would cost a bit more because you would have to get a full blown Cruise Commander and Railsounds but still a fraction of the cost of a Legacy engine and MTH Premier steam is every bit as rugged as this Dreyfuss and will smoke even better.

I don't want to hijack Alex's thread but you can see examples here.

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...ting-older-mth-steam

Pete

Thanks, Pete. I appreciate your time and thoughts. 

Awesome stuff! Lots of reliable Pittman powered  2 chuffer hudsons are just waiting for this upgrade.

Nice upgrade Alex!!!

Nice engine nice upgrade. Sounds like maybe it could use a better speaker.

Looks good Alex, must be great electronics in that one.

Rider Sandman posted:

Norton posted:

Nice Alex. Who needs Legacy? 

 

Pete

Hey Pete, I suspect you’re being rhetorical, but I would love to have one in Legacy!  I been hoping for one at each catalog release for quite some time. Maybe I’ll have to find an older one and send it to Alex after seeing his video. I always get caught up in the cost comparison trap of debating what it would take to find one and then upgrade it versus waiting for one to show up in the catalog. 

Back to the subject, great job Alex and I always appreciate the videos you share of your work. 

Rule #1, if you can't get something great from the manufacturers, get something that is going to be way better. I know I am one of those guys holding my breath for a Legacy version, but if things continue not showing up over the next year, this will be my option and solution to that problem.

We can all wait till the end of time, but it is far better to get something that we know won't have a boiler leak halfway down the tracks.

Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:

Rider Sandman posted:

Norton posted:

Nice Alex. Who needs Legacy? 

 

Pete

Hey Pete, I suspect you’re being rhetorical, but I would love to have one in Legacy!  I been hoping for one at each catalog release for quite some time. Maybe I’ll have to find an older one and send it to Alex after seeing his video. I always get caught up in the cost comparison trap of debating what it would take to find one and then upgrade it versus waiting for one to show up in the catalog. 

Back to the subject, great job Alex and I always appreciate the videos you share of your work. 

Rule #1, if you can't get something great from the manufacturers, get something that is going to be way better. I know I am one of those guys holding my breath for a Legacy version, but if things continue not showing up over the next year, this will be my option and solution to that problem.

We can all wait till the end of time, but it is far better to get something that we know won't have a boiler leak halfway down the tracks.

You’d probably be happier in the long run with the Korean built Dreyfus and some goodies installed.....this particular family of Hudsons from Korea are beasts ....as others have mentioned, Pittman powered and robust drive lines....hard to beat!....they can keep whistle smoke to themselves, I’ll take longevity and brute strength any day and twice on Sunday....😉......Pat

BTW....great work Alex.....way to go to bring that thing up to snuff.....

Thanks everyone for the nice comment's !!

GRJ , yes ! those electronics are pretty good. I know the guy who sells them LOL 

Thanks again, Alex

harmonyards posted:

Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:

Rider Sandman posted:

Norton posted:

Nice Alex. Who needs Legacy? 

 

Pete

Hey Pete, I suspect you’re being rhetorical, but I would love to have one in Legacy!  I been hoping for one at each catalog release for quite some time. Maybe I’ll have to find an older one and send it to Alex after seeing his video. I always get caught up in the cost comparison trap of debating what it would take to find one and then upgrade it versus waiting for one to show up in the catalog. 

Back to the subject, great job Alex and I always appreciate the videos you share of your work. 

Rule #1, if you can't get something great from the manufacturers, get something that is going to be way better. I know I am one of those guys holding my breath for a Legacy version, but if things continue not showing up over the next year, this will be my option and solution to that problem.

We can all wait till the end of time, but it is far better to get something that we know won't have a boiler leak halfway down the tracks.

You’d probably be happier in the long run with the Korean built Dreyfus and some goodies installed.....this particular family of Hudsons from Korea are beasts ....as others have mentioned, Pittman powered and robust drive lines....hard to beat!....they can keep whistle smoke to themselves, I’ll take longevity and brute strength any day and twice on Sunday....😉......Pat

BTW....great work Alex.....way to go to bring that thing up to snuff.....

Whistle smoke isn't everything. Some of the engines I really enjoy don't have it.

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...4#136852482232577634

I would settle for a LionChief Plus or Lionmaster version.  I am limited in radius.  

Very nice Alex!!

@Norton posted:

You can take my comment quite literally. To me the only thing Legacy adds to what Alex has produced is the ability to double head engines.

Pre Legacy TMCC engines were well made and are easily repaired. They work for me. I don't need the added smoke effects though I understand why many do.

Pete

Yes.

I have maybe 3 Legacy locos out of, oh, way-too-many locos. TMCC and a CAB-1 will do any function that this boy wants a loco to do. When the CAB-2 came out, a friend handed me his and I looked at it and all I said was "way too many buttons", and I handed it back.

One of my Legacy locos -  a steamer -  has a sound drop-out problem that only a power-down will reset. I have heard about this. My TMCC/RS locos do not have this problem.

@D500 posted:

One of my Legacy locos -  a steamer -  has a sound drop-out problem that only a power-down will reset. I have heard about this. My TMCC/RS locos do not have this problem.

Here's your solution, this is a common issue: YLB - RailSounds Battery Replacement (RS-Lite)

Great work!!!

When your done with my diesel showcase it here as well:-)

very nice upgrade and as usual very impressive you definitely very talented in doing any upgrade you do the best ones I have ever seen love all the detail and supper duper sound effects and supper chuffer effects make them outstanding!

Alan

way to go Alex M 

Magnificent.

Thanks everyone!

This was actually done almost a year ago LOL. Great engine , one oF my favorites.

Thanks again , Alex

Looks and sounds great, Alex. Marty is smiling over this one!

John

Did you make sure to properly secure the smoke unit brackets this time? Bought one of these you worked on second hand from another forum member and thanks to the smoke unit coming off in the locomotive, I now have a very expensive paper weight.

Do you offer warranties for your work?

Why do you assume Alex did it wrong? You bought it second hand. Could be rough handling, messing around by the prior owner, a bunch of things. I've had Alex do work for me, and it's all been top notch.

Gerry

@Jedderbob posted:

Did you make sure to properly secure the smoke unit brackets this time? Bought one of these you worked on second hand from another forum member and thanks to the smoke unit coming off in the locomotive, I now have a very expensive paper weight.

Do you offer warranties for your work?

So you bought it second hand, and expect a warranty??.....it doesn’t work that way!...any number of things could have happened to it before you owned it!!....including being dropped.........Lionel themselves don’t offer a lifetime warranty,......you need to get a grip!..

Pat

Awesome upgrade, great sounds, smooth running, very nice workmanship. Thanks for posting. That’s a beautiful Locomotive. Happy Railroading Everyone

Talk about a bad approach. Whether or not it was Alex's mistake is questionable for reasons already mentioned.

Alex is a good guy. If you contacted him personally . I imagine he'd at least be willing to "help" you get your engine back on the rails.

But after that statement. Maybe not so much.

Alex does excellent work. He did my Niagara and my 3005 Mohawk. No complaints here. There's other factors to consider that happened to the locomotive in question. Maybe the prior owner did some maintenance and accidentally fudged something? Don't go blaming Alex. When he works on something he makes dang(and I mean the other D-word) that everything is in tip top shape. Runs it through a series of test before closing everything back up and calling it a job well done. UGH!

Very nice.  Soon as I find one its coming your way.   As i had the MTH CNW E4 upgraded by Alex which gets a lot of compliments and seems to be a fan favorite of the kids when i am running it.

Jedderbob,

I find it odd that you would comment on a thread that was last responded to over three months ago just to attack Alex and complain about his work.  Alex has been a friend of mine for several years, and he has done many repairs for me. I have never had an issue with his work as it s top notch, and if I did, am confident that Alex would make it right, because thats the kind of guy he is.

You state you bought the engine second hand from another forum member. How do you know that Alex had worked on it previously? You don't state how you know this, so I doubt the if your information/statement is correct. Moreover, you don't state that you have attempted to contact Alex to see if the issue could be resolved before criticizing his work  on this forum. Assuming Alex did not repair your engine corrrectly (which I doubt), don't you think that you owe him the opportunity to first  potentially resolve the issue and make you happy, rather than criticize him here?

Repair guys like Alex and GunRunner John (who has also done many repairs and upgrades for me) are top notch repair people AND are assets to our hobby, in that they both provide free information to many of us on this forum.

Next time, please thhink before you leap.

Erol

A few of us collect paper weights. Contact me if you would like to dispose of yours. Email in profile.

Pete

@Alex M posted:

Thanks everyone!

This was actually done almost a year ago LOL. Great engine , one oF my favorites.

Thanks again , Alex

Alex, what is a custom fan driven smoke unit. Is it a complete custom unit sold by someone?

First ,i would like to thank the guys who backed me up! Thank you all.

Second, what's odd to me is why Jeederbob would call me out like this in public forum !  wouldn't it  have been much easier to email me privately,  everyone who knows me understands that i will always come to their aid. No matter what the situation is. The way  he's gone about it , it will now STAY as a paper weight. For my future upgrades and repairs, maybe i'll start installing GPS devices so i can keep track on ALL of my work LMAO !!!!

Third, This upgraded engine has been in other hands for who knows how long, and who with,  and also where it's been. Why he would  only hold me liable is odd to me, maybe it's something personal. Who's knows !!

Jeederbob, since it's all public now , would like to hear your response to my questions !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ALEX !!!

@romiller49 posted:

Alex, what is a custom fan driven smoke unit. Is it a complete custom unit sold by someone?

It's "custom" to that locomotive, I'm sure that Alex uses either Lionel or MTH smoke units for such upgrades.   I use a lot of MTH smoke units in upgrades, thought that may change if I can no longer get them.

No further comment required on the bashing of Alex's work.

Hey guys,

I’ve had Alex upgrade over a dozen TMCC loco’s over at least 4 or 5 years.  I can personally say he does a great job.  Alex puts his heart into all his work and always backs it up.  He also gets back to you quickly if you have any questions.

I’ve never been disappointed with any of his work!

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

It's "custom" to that locomotive, I'm sure that Alex uses either Lionel or MTH smoke units for such upgrades.   I use a lot of MTH smoke units in upgrades, thought that may change if I can no longer get them.

Yes exactly what John said above. I used a newer style Lionel 1 by 1 16 ohm smoke unit, which is then customized with the proper size resistor and wiring.

Alex

Alex has given so much to this forum and it's membership.  His work has always been boasted about by his customers.  I have yet to use his services but he is one of the few I'd trust with my trains.  I've met and talked with Alex at York whenever we bump into each other and he is always great to talk with.  That post has me shaking my head.

The way this forum’s members have responded in Alex’s defense should say it all. I have known Alex for years and he has upgraded, repaired, maintained more locomotives for me than I can remember. Not once have I had an issue with his work, Not once! As long as I have known him he still says when picking up one of my babies if there’s anything wrong just call me or bring it back. Of course I haven’t had to do so but it’s comforting to know he’s confident in his work that he can continue to say that because it ain’t coming back. I know I am being long winded but it just ****es me off because Alex is not just a resource to me and my collection, he is a good person and a great friend and the least I can do is defend his reputation.

Alex, I’ll see you Saturday with the next few upgrades.

To me, no one should ever say unfavorable remarks about someone well known here on the OGR Forum, or any of the other social media threads. Alex M, is a super repair man as is Gunrunner John, Pete Norton, my buddy Pat at Harmon Yards, Bruk, Mike Reagan, and remembering our former friend Marty Fitzhenry, and our former friend Jim  Barrett. Each one has email addresses and would always love creative feedback in a non confrontational manner. I learned many years ago to watch what I say, I never want to hurt anyone’s feelings. Ok, that being said, I am thankful for everyone here on the forum, We are one happy family. Happy Railroading Everyone

@leapinlarry posted:

To me, no one should ever say unfavorable remarks about someone well known here on the OGR Forum, or any of the other social media threads. Alex M, is a super repair man as is Gunrunner John, Pete Norton, my buddy Pat at Harmon Yards, Bruk, Mike Reagan, and remembering our former friend Marty Fitzhenry, and our former friend Jim  Barrett. Each one has email addresses and would always love creative feedback in a non confrontational manner. I learned many years ago to watch what I say, I never want to hurt anyone’s feelings. Ok, that being said, I am thankful for everyone here on the forum, We are one happy family. Happy Railroading Everyone

Amen to that Larry, ......I learned a long time ago, you’ll catch more flies with honey than you ever can with vinegar,......😉

Pat

Amen fellows. Like I said before, Alex puts things through a series of tests. When he was working on my Niagara he told me what was going on, and even sent an email with two video clips showing what was going on with it. Also he stated that he was going to do a few more tests to make sure everything worked like it was supposed to.

When it came to my Mohawk upgrade, there was a few things Alex needed to know before work began, and he contacted me right away about what upgrades we could do on it. In both instances I am very happy and very grateful for Alex taking on both of these projects. Still have more to get to, but have not had a minute to get my feet moving, but will do soon.

And to solidify what Alex does, ...he proudly posts up his builds on here, so clearly he’s got pride in his work,....I’ve never heard in any conversations anything negative about his works,......for years & years no doubt,.........clearly in changing hands something has happened to that Dreyfuss,.....and in no way shape of form can Alex be held accountable,.......the fella that made that reply MIGHT have gotten somewhere had he contacted Alex privately and explained the problem,.....I don’t blame Alex one bit for slamming the door shut now with those comments, ....I’d do the exact same thing ........kick rocks kid, .....beat it!..😉

Pat

ALEX,

   I have 3 words for you.  YOU DA MAN!!!👍👍. You have done a few upgrades for me too and for that along with meeting you at YORK, there isn’t a better ambassador for our hobby.  Thanks again for all you do.  keep up the good work.  

Great job Alex! She looks and runs awesome! I love your scenery. It looks very realistic with the telephone poles and wires.

Hello everyone,

I just wanted to thank you ALL for your very kind words, it's means a lot to me. If any of you ever need my help I'm always here for you, That's what's so Great about this forum. I always say this forum is my get away to enjoyment! Hoping to post some new videos soon.

Again thanks very much to all of you !!!

Alex

All,

Its now been 4 days since Jedderbob's unsubstantiated attack on Alex, a top notch person with a great reputation  who has helped many on the forum, and repaired many of our trains (in the mold of the legendary Marty Fitzhenry). Do you remember the great well attended summer parties Alex and Dina used to throw?

I for one did not think that Jedderbob would respond to our requests that he substantiate his statements regarding  Alex and the alleged work done to his engine, although I requested that he do so in my post above.  Remember, he claims he bought it second hand after Alex allegedly fixed it. Those of us who know Alex well, and those that do not, but know him from the forum, know he has a great reputation as both a person and repair person.

Jedderbob's criticism of Alex was nothing more than an attempt at character assassination or someone who is jealous and calling out for attention.  

I did not know who Jedderbob was before his post, but now will not take him seriously in the future as he has no credibility with me, unless he apologizes to Alex.

Erol