Your favorite scale sized Hudson to RUN ?

This has been my favorite one lately...

.

It's almost done.

Thanks,

Mario

All the modern, can-motored locomotives, Hudson included, run better than the old AC motor versions. (Yes, I have - in TMCC, to boot - and like both.) The Pullmor has charm, and the gearing of the old 700E descendants is still good, but it's still yesterday's news (if Lionel would only offer a Pittman kit to upgrade these to a DC motor with ERR cruise...they'd be the best around).

They all run well; it would be a tie between the Lionel J3a (all flavors) and the K-Line J1e.

Footnote: the Lionel die-cast Century Hudson has a touchy Odyssey throttle; strangely, my ESE and non-streamlined do not have this issue.  I understand that the touchy-problem is not unique to mine.

I have little experience with running MTH scale PS2/3 Hudsons (I upgraded a dead one to TMCC/Cruise, so it's Lionel inside). They appear to run very well.

I have many Hudsons by many makers.  The best Hudson ever made in my book is the Lionel Vision Line Hudson.   Lionel has made many great lookers over the years.  This guy with it's  can motor, great electronics package, whistle smoke, and much more gets the top nod from me.  That statement is based on the Hudsons I have.  I know guys/gals have some I do not have.

My scale hudsons get run on the club layout and currently we only run TMCC/Legacy so I don't run my MTH Hudsons. My Lionel unstreamlined J3a usually gets the nod coupled to a PT tender meant for the ESE J3. Second would be the Vision J1E. Both fine engines. Heck, they are all good.

Pete

Years ago, Lionel did a Hudson with a Vanderbilt tender and AC motor.  If they came out with that engine again with a can motor and some current electronics, I would buy it.  

Norton, that sure is a looker.  Great engine.

I'll vote for the old 2046

My favorite Hudson to run is the prewar black 763e hooked up to some prewar semi scale cars. I've had about every Lionel Hudson at one time or another but 763's are still my favorite to run. 

My upgraded Williams brass unit. I added detail, pumps and badges, tender got a total rework with skirts, paint and custom decals. I run conventional so it's a great loco now for well under $200. 

The 'Smithsonian' version may be prettier but I do not feel it runs as well.....kinda picky.

I'm with Marty.  The Vision Line Hudson is not only my favorite Hudson, it's my favorite engine.  It's just too cool.

The K-Line scale J1e Hudson is far and away my favorite to look at it, the details are incredible.

My favorite to run is the Century Club 2 Empire State Express J3. Combined with the PT Tender it looks intense and the sound is awesome and the matching StationSounds Diner adds to the experience.

The K-Line upgraded to DCS makes a great engine.   

Given a choice 1:1 scale would be nice.

I too am a big fan of Lionel's 5444 J-3a.  My favorite runner currently.

CentralFan1976 posted:

This has been my favorite one lately...

.

It's almost done.

Thanks,

Mario

Quite an engine with those improvements Mario! I have the original and as much as I enjoy this engine, it's not as controllable or smooth as this.  As D500 notes, the Pullmor does have its own charm though.  Looking good Mario!

My favorite "Scale Hudsons" are the two models of the CB&Q S3 and S4 Hudsons done by Sunset/3rd Rail. I have the #3007 and #4001, both are exquisite!

I really like the 1990 5340 J1e 700e scale Hudson. Very well detailed. A great looking Hudson IMO. 

With a little help it will be a great runner.

Dave

For looks, the MTH Premier J-1a.

For strength, the Williams Hudson.

The Williams pulls mightily - much stronger than any others - because it has traction tires on all but the middle set of drivers.  MTH and Lionel would do good to put traction tires on more than just a single set of drive wheels.

For semi Scale, K Line

I only have three but they get used in this order.  Lionel Empire Express, 3rdrail J1 and a MTH Boston and Albany J2

I too like the NYC Hudsons and my favorite hands down is the Williams Master Series Dreyfus.  I like to double head the K Line scale Hudson with the Lionel 5444.  I also have used the ESE PT tender with the 5444 and it sure looks great!

However, I also like my Weaver Milwaukee Road Hudson.  Right now it is pulling my MTH passenger cars.  Sure is a looker!

Rolland

I recently bought a fifth one to my ever growing Hudson collection. All are a joy to operate.

I think my favorite is either the 18005 scale Hudson #5340 - which I'm currently still upgrading to a can motor, fan smoke and ERR Cruise - because it was the one that screams classic modern Lionel - or the handsome 18043 Chesapeake & Ohio Yellowbelly #490. Both look beautiful. The 5340 has the classic looks akin to the original with its chrome rimmed drive wheels and polished running gear, while the 490 has its unique color and unique whistle sound, and looks good pulling the matching Heavyweight cars.

I really love the variety of answers and can feel the passion you all have for your Hudsons! Thanks!!

Thomas, the Yellowbelly is my number two.  Out of the box it was a super bad runner  but now sports a can motor, MTH DCS, fan driven smoke unit, and LED markers front and rear.  A very beautiful locomotive.

These two are among my favorites.

Custom detailed Williams Masterpiece Hudson

Custom detailed Kline Hudson

The J1c live steam Gauge 1 model Hudson number 5265 I made from an ASTER kit.  This locomotive is now older than the real 5265 has ever been and has run quite a bit but is still in very good condition. It is my favourite NYC Hudson.

Regards

Fred

Fred,

Put a portal in your fence and we could form a club.

Woodshire Bill posted:

Fred,

Put a portal in your fence and we could form a club.

 

Bill,

That is a great video of a great train on a great layout! Looks very good!

Regards

Fred

USA Trains 1:29 Scale Hudson.....

http://usatrains.com/usatrainshudson.html

As Marty said the scale K line converted to PS2 and an MTH smoke unit makes an awesome looking and running engine. Mine sees lots of use and the sound file Marty sent me sounds great. I recall I had to make a custom tach tape to get the speed and chuff synced, but now it runs great. I don't have the VL Hudson to compare with, but it sounds like a great engine too. Heck they are all great!

Rod

I have to give the nod to my 3rd Rail J1e "Super Hudson" with the Selkirk front end. This has been converted to ERR CC and Railsounds.

Love my 3rd Rail S4!

It's been nearly 10 years since Lionel cataloged the VL Hudson.  My guess is there will be another one real soon. 

Joe

My favorite,like many is the VL Hudson. This was the first engine I ordered when I got interested in O .  The  Legacy ESE is a close second, followed by the 11105 Korean Mohawk.

Yes, the Lionel Black VisionLine Hudson, simply a great remake of a historical Locomotive..

leapinlarry posted:

Yes, the Lionel Black VisionLine Hudson, simply a great remake of a historical Locomotive..

Beautiful !!

corsair29 posted:

Love the smoke action !

Hot Water posted:

My favorite "Scale Hudsons" are the two models of the CB&Q S3 and S4 Hudsons done by Sunset/3rd Rail. I have the #3007 and #4001, both are exquisite!

I'm a "Q" fan, just don't have those beauties (yet!)

AMCDave posted:

My upgraded Williams brass unit. I added detail, pumps and badges, tender got a total rework with skirts, paint and custom decals. I run conventional so it's a great loco now for well under $200. 

The 'Smithsonian' version may be prettier but I do not feel it runs as well.....kinda picky.

I have always loved the NYC Dreyfuss Hudsons. Yours is a real looker!