I found this LM Blum model of a seemlingly custom NYC destreamlined J3a #5446 hudson, and after a bit of photosearching, eventually found a prototype photo. Is there any info on this engine? I assume it was destreamlined for easier maintanence, but it just looks so weird, and was wondering if there was a weird story to go along with it. Did it survive a crash? Did it ever pull top end passenger trains after this refit?
Here’s a look at the other side:
J-3a_5446_6-1938 by Edmund, on Flickr
This is June of 1938 and the Hudson is only a year old, too early for a “de-streamlining” program. I do recall reading about (Al Stauffer, perhaps) a streamlined Hudson involved in a grade crossing incident where it hit a truck loaded with paint!
I’m sure the nose and side panels were replaced in these pre-War days. It’s possible a new shell was being fabricated and/or the repair work was being held off until the engine’s routine 30 day boiler wash.
Here she is in 1939, again in Englewood, all patched up:
https://www.railarchive.net/nyccollection/nyc5446_rdl.htm
Leonard M. Blum (LMB) was the owner of Hobby House here in Cleveland. He was a big NYC fan so he may have had a few of these run for himself and friends.
Regards, Ed
thats some terrific info! thanks!
Its quite a rare sight to see
There was just a discussion about streamlined / destreamlined NYC Hudsons:
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/13/t/288363.aspx
Basically the 1938 20th Century Hudsons (and the 1941 Empire State ones) began being destreamlined during WW2, and were all-destreamlined by 1948. Because the streamlining could make it more difficult to access parts of the engine for maintenance - and since the railroads needed a quick turnaround time in the shops due to the huge boom in wartime traffic - if a part of the streamlining was removed for maintenance, it was just left off and the engine sent out “as is”. Pulling trains was more important than style points.