If you had a choice, based on your experience with the engine’s performance, which would you select and why? 736 Berkshire or 2046 Hudson As always, many thanks.
traindaddy1,
I have the 2046,1950 version and I find it to be a work horse. I would imagine that the 736 with its finer, beefed up, engine would be a little stronger and smoother, than the 2046.
Ralph
They are both good but I’d pick the 736 for it’s wheel looks and easy to work on motor.
Don’t sell yourself short… buy both! 
I love a problem solver who always has the best interest of the rest of us at heart. [:D] Having both the Husdson and the Berk in the stable would be my first choice.
Someone may want to jump in here, but I have to ask: why would a 736 have any more pulling power than a MagnaTraction 2046? Both have 4 of the drive wheels actually driving. In my experience, the only pulling limitations on my 2046 (3 window 1950) have been tractive and curve- diameter-related, not a lack of motor power.
Jack
My guess is the 736 would have a little more pulling power than the 2046. I have both and they are both good engines. I have a slight preference for the 736 because I have ridden behind both NKP 765 and PM 1225 and had a lot of fun doing it. Seeing the 736 run reminds me of those good times.
George
They are both great engines, but I am biased to Hudsons and I have a 2046.
John
RockIsland52, Both the 736 and 2046, made in 1950, have Magne-Traction and are great work horses, but compared to the 2046, the 736 has a motor that is designed to be stronger, smoother operating and requires less voltage for it to function. Ralph
I agree with Ralph. I have three 736s and a 2046. The 736s definitely run smoother and require less voltage than the 2046. Bruce Baker
I will defer to those more knowledgeable than I that the 736 will run on less voltage, but when is the last time that ever became a factor when running your trains?
What do you mean when you say the 736 runs smoother than the 2046?
I’m not trying to defend or support one or the other. But the original question was one of “performance.”
I like smooth, consistent low speed operation, the ability to haul the heavier postwar cars, negotiate O27 without the wheels binding on the rails around the bends when operating on someone’s O27, minimal driver slippage when starting up with a heavier load in tow, and the ability to haul a longer consist if I want. I never came close to running out of transformer voltage on my ZW with my 2046.
So I too am interested in the performance aspect between the two engines.
Thanks,
Jack
Thanks Bruce, RockIsland52, The 736 motor is a different designed motor, not only stronger, but requires less voltage and creates greater torque, which causes a more smoother operation, quicker movement and more tractive effort, which helps to run the engine at a slower speed. The motor used in 736 costs more and requires less maintenance, than that of the motor used in 2046. That’s the best that I can explain. Other forum members may explain it better, than I. Ralph
Thanks for your responses so far. I’ll keep reading. (I’m at a crossroads. [%-)] Both would be great but the budget says: “Just pick one” ) [:(]
if you only have budget for one, and you have access to both, my recommendation would be to buy the one that is in the best condition. You won’t be disappointed with either.
I’d really like a 736 for my next steamer, early 50s version. The better ones cosmetically on auction seem to be fetching $300+ with tender on Ebay. But if I had neither the 736 or the 2046, i agree with Brent…condition would be my first consideration…and either one floats my boat.
My 2046 is 60 years old and runs as good as the day I got it. So forgive me if I sounded biased. It is just so bulletproof, and the Berk boiler and multiple drive rod assembly sets it apart from so many other postwar steamers in my opinion. I don’t have any multiple engined locos, so the 2046 is my strongest puller.
Jack
My experience has been that my 736 starts smoother than my 2046 which is important for starting long trains. It also runs better at low speed. However, when I tried it on 1122 O-27 switches, it didn’t like them at all. Other guys have said that they have a 726 (should be the same as a 736) which negotiates 1122 switches without a problem. The 736 will negotiate 022 switches without a problem. Bruce Baker
To All, I hope that I did not offend anyone, but I am only telling the differences between both of the engine’s motors and I say again that the 2046 is a dependable workhorse. My wife bought me the 2046, second hand, years ago and that baby is still running strong and I love it. I don’t have the 736, but reading about it and looking at schematic illustrations, of it, shows the type of motor it has and Lionel used that motor, or close to it, in their premium engines. The 736 is the 1950 Magne-Traction, updated version of the 726. The 736 has both an ornamental bell and whistle, amongst other detailing and the 2046 only has the ornamental bell. I added a whistle, to my 2046, to give it a more realistic prototype appearance. Ralph
There both good engines, get the one that appeals to you, or even better get both, one now one later. Also consider the MPC engines Lionel made copys of the originals in real RR names.
**Ralph…**no offense taken. As Hudson John said, some of us are partial to Hudsons. Others to what they had as kids. And others to what they have acquired and run over a greater period. To me your choice to me is win-win between the two. My experience and opinion is just that of 1 and is of no material consequence. But the 2046 for me has filled all of my wants and needs. I like it’s side rod configuration and Berk boiler detail over the other semi-scale Hudsons (685, 2055, 2056, and 2065) I’d like to get a 773 scale Hudson, but it is a little too pricey for my tastes.
My wife thinks I am a nutcase, but I don’t share her opinion and think her experience with me proves otherwise…almost. [:D]
Happy hunting! Listen to these guys about what they like about each, functionally and in appearance. Be patient, listen to 88 Brent, and wait for the best sample you can find.
I like Bruce’s take on operating over switches and the start -up and smooth slow operation. And I think Train-O is right about the 736 motor being the premier at the time.
And as SJ said, once one bird is in the hand, you can continue to shop around for the other, for down the road. Both the 2046 and the 736 are plentiful and I can’t see it changing; so there
A quite July 3rd, just as well look at Lionel History.
Both the 2046 and 726/736 owe there start to the Pre-war 226E. The 226E was a “Baby Hudson” to sell into the “O Gauge” market of 1938 and had the 2226 die-cast tender. The scale hudson, 700E -5344, was for “O-72 Gauge” only. The 226E had only a two wheel pilot truck but was otherwise a great model. Power for it, like most Lionel engines, used the proven Parallel Plate AC/DC motor driving the wheels through a group of cut steel gears. Only the top end Hudson and 8976 Switcher got the horizontal motor with worm/gear drive. The Worm Drive uses “ball bearing” thrust bearings on the motor shaft which has the steel worm mounted. One of the drivers has a bronze gear mounted on its axle that “meshes” with the worm. This is a very smooth drive used in industry to this day.
The 226 reappeared as the 726 in 1946, this time with an 8 wheel – worm/gear drive under the hansom castings and with a smoke unit added. The die-cast tender became 2426. Later, with the adding of Magne-Traction in 1950, the number changed to 736. ( For one year, 1952, Magne- Traction was removed and it became a 726-RR) The tender was now the 2671 twelve wheel plastic model. In later years it would get the 2046 eight wheel tender.
The coming of the 2046 in 1950 was a re-birth of the 226E. With a cheeper smoke box front and the 2046 plastic tender it did have lots of improvments. Magne-Traction, Smoke, and the proper 4 wheel pilot truck made this a great looking locomotive. With basically the same motor as the pre-war, it became a great runner.
It’s your choice, get a good one checking it for gear wear, E Unit, and Whistle operation. The 726/736 is
I have both a 736 and the 2046. I like them both. be hard to chose. so get both!