Are there any Lionel scale Hudsons equipped with Railsounds that will negotiate 031 curves? I would prefer a Lionel unit. However, Williams portrays 2 “scale” 4-6-4s in their catalog. The Golden Memories engine seems to be a 773 copy with whistle and bell only. The “newer” unit also includes chuffing, but is listed with different dimensions. Hard to imagine that they are making 2 scale units.Thanks for your help.
X2000
[#welcome] x2000,
Most scale Hudsons need 042 curves or larger like 054 or 072. Williams makes a great running locomotive for the money but you will need to add TMCC or DCS later if you want to. I have six Williams locomotives and they run great, no problems since buying the Williams locos new, and the Williams loco has metal gears.
My personal reccomendation is to run 042 curves as more stuff can go thru the curves and you can run a little faster thru curves and not derail as easy.
Lee F.
The Lionel 783 Hudson from 1984 will take 031 curves. If you shop around, you can get a good deal on one. I have a 5340 from 1990 and it has a hard time with 031 curves and it derails easily. As others say, 042 track is best for any scale sized Hudson.
The K-Line scale hudson will do O31 curves. They are available on Ebay for around $450 . Most have railsounds and some have cruise control. They are as detailed as anyones. I have on and it runs great.
Dale Hz
I have the Lionel Santa Fe warhorse hudson from the late 90’s, I think. It is TMCC and has railsounds. It negotiates O-31 curves fine, even going through the curved portion of modern-era Lionel O-22 switches. The lastest version released in a postwar celebration set, will also negotiate O-31 curves, from what I have read on the various forums. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy one if you find one you want.
I have a 1964 Hudson, a 783, and a 1990 scale hudson (5340) they all do 31 curves.
Beware of overhang.
My sixties 773 does O27; but, before I modified it, it did O31.
The Post War Celebration 773 is designed to run on 042 curves or larger due to a change in the pilot truck. The pilot truck can be modified to enable the PWC 773 to negotiate 031 curves or you can replace it with a pilot truck from a 783 or an earlier 773. I’ve ran my PWC 773 through the newer 022 switches slowly and sometimes it makes it through, but most of the time the pilot truck derails.
Jim
Any one know were I could get one of the #773s from the 1950s (and no I dont buy from ebay, period)?
X2000,I don’t think there is a scale Lionel Hudson out there. If there was, I would have bought it. I too am looking for one with the works (railsounds, takes 031 curves, etc). I went ahead and send for the Golden Memories Hudson “scale size” for $399.99, but it had no chuffin sound and no TMCC. Then 3 months later I received thier magazine (Williams) and they now offer, like you said, a “scale” size but a little bigger size Hudson with chugging sound. What’s going on? I tried to make an exchange and pay the difference, but they would not go for it. As much as I want a Hudson, I can’t put out another $499.99 for that newer Hudson. If anybody has the latest better Hudson, let me know how it is. Reuben