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MTH HO scale Dreyfuss Hudson steam locomotive
A very powerful smooth runner (DCC) Looks great and sounds great. You can easily tune this loco with the limited CV’s in DCC. Even better if you have a DCC system that will control all 28 functions.
Jim
Australia
I am very happy to see someone come out with a new one. Can’t wait until I get mine. What’s next the Reading Crusader. That would be fantastic!!!
So I remember that train, on which my dad travel from Chicago to New York City and back many times.
I really liked the loco in every detail except that my loco will only pull 10 Walthers streamlined NYC passenger cars. The very brief manual that comes with the unit mis-labels the smoke off/on switch with the sound volume control. Dissappointed with the pulling power of the loco.
I say this is the best looking steam engine ever made! The MTH version is outstanding in looks, quality of craftsmanship, and with the on-board electronics. In DCS mode, the quillable whistle made me feel like a kid again back in the 50s when I was running Lionel trains on a sheet of plywood!
Hi Richard,
I didn’t have any issues with drawbar pull when I ran the locomotive. It easily pulled 12 passenger cars on our layout, and with a 4.5 ounce drawbar pull it could pull 16. Of course a lot also depends on how well your cars roll and the condition of your track.
Hope this helps.
Dana Kawala
Associate Editor
I have the HO MTH SP Daylight 4-8-4 which is astounding in all respects so I can’t wait to get the Dreyfuss Hudson. MTH is really making a mark in the HO scale world.
My experience with MTH locomotives operating in DC mode is that you need to shift your power pack to the G Scale setting ( if you have one ). That’s the only way I know to get the extra amps all the gagetry requires. If you can do this, the speed and pulling power will be there. If you don’t have a power pack with G Scale capability you might think about investing in one. The performance of BLI engines also improves in G Scale mode.
It’s John D. Butler
thank you
JB
I think that the new Hudson is a fine looking engine, and was happy to purchase it. I am disappointed with the DC mode of operation (which I currently still use) as only the smoke and steam sounds work - no bell and whistle control in DC mode. Also, it seems to run incredibly slow in DC- like a switcher and not the high stepping thorobred the prototype engine was. Still, it is a fine looking engine, probably the best looking, as a model of the prototype.
I own several MTH steamers and all are great runners. I espeacailly like the operating marker lights and interior cab lights. The cast metal body adds weight to improve traction and the drive train is as smooth as they come. Other than the limited DCC feature set, I rank the MTH #1 overall in total quality including consistancy, shipping protection, detail and operation. MTH dose offer their DCS controller that you can put in line with your DCC system to add feature sets to your MTH engines while still operating your other fine DCC engines simultaneously. Simply switch back and forth between controllers. I noticed that MTH is offering some engines as DCC ready now so you can install your preferred decoder for maximum features available if you don’t want their DCS system controller option.
The earlier mention of the Dreyfuss having poor traction is a mystery to me. There must be somthing dragging on the train because the MTH engines will easily haul the passenger train mentioned in the comment. Also, if the non traction driver set is installed on his engine, it will slip much more easily. Hmmmm?
confused! ed. said it would pull 16 and William said it would only pull 10. Any one else have pulling issues?
The Walthers cars don’t roll, I set up a full 18 car 20th Century Limited set and my BLI Niagara nor BLI Mohawk would budge them on straight level track.
I’ve got 60+ Walthers cars and now need to tune every truck.
The loco looks nice, can’t wait to see BLI’s effort which I have ordered.
I recently purchased the MTH EMPIRE STATE EXPRESS loco and have had nothing but trouble with it . The drivers fall off the tracl almost anywhere,and this on a club layout with min. 38 in. curves. The DCC sound system is a total adventure with a mind of its own. I have been in HO for almost 45 years and this is the worst new loco I have ever had. I was warned about problems with MTH and I’m sorry to say they were right.Its now in the service dept. and I’m curious to see what they say. I also wanted to buy the 1938 Dryfuss model but now I’m afraid to do so. Any other negative reports on MTH ?
I’m sorry but it is a great steam engine but is out of my budget.
It is also what I model which is C&O.
Joe
Perfect for my 1930’s and 1950’s model
I have always loved the J3a. I wish I could buy this model as a memorial to them (all scrapped), but I can’t afford it.