I just inherited my Uncle’s and Father’s old post war sets (1951 and 1956 from what I can tell). They will be used primarily on an oval or circle under the tree for my kids. Since I do not have enough space to dedicate and area for a table they will see limited use. Because of this I wanted to look at an engine that can pull the longest line (I have quite a few cars). My Uncle’s old locomotive is, from what I am told, a Hudson 4-6-4. While it is in very good shape it appears to be straining pulling 8 cars behind it. I would like something to pull at least a dozen. Any thoughts or suggestions for a stronger pulling engine or is this about the most I can hope for?
On a flat surface the hudson should pull 10 cars, maybe depending on how sharp of curves you have. Mine easily pulls 8 with no problems. What is the cab number on your engine? The 2056 does NOT have magnetraction. The FM train master is known for pulling lots of cars, like 22 cars the books says. Mine will pull anything. Your Hudson likely needs a thorough overhaul. If you haven’t done it, I would not run it until you do. Lionel has many engines with magnetraction that pull very well. There are newer ones with traction tires that will pull much more.
Roger
Postwar rolling stock needs to be lubricated. If you haven’t lubricated them, you may find that your engines will pull a lot better once you do.
I think you have to remember that when you are talking about how much “payload”–how many cars-- a loco will pull, to compare a 2046 Hudson, for example (or any other steamer) to a a dual motored diesel is tough. The steamer frequently has a tender with a whistle, and that is heavy, maybe equaling 3-4 post war era freight cars. I don’t have a GG! but I had heard they gave the most tractive effort–maybe not the 2332 from 1947-1949 which were single motored and lack magnetraction, but the later ones reintroduced in 1954 or so; they were heavy which produced great tracttion, did have magnetraction and could pull a ton!
Stuart
ditto… a light push on a coach should send it at least a few feet down a level track… any less distance traveled and you must do some cleaning/ lubrication.
Robert,
I have a “Stable” of Hudsons. (my favorite). I would clean all of the old grease off of the gears, lube it sparingly and oil sparingly everywhere else there is friction. Do all of the cars also. They all have magnatraction except for the 2056 from 1952. Also clean and oil sparingly the axels on all of the cars. Be shure to clean the track, especially after runnig it for a while after the lue and oil. You will see a diference.
John
BTW. There is a lot of factors including weight/length of cars, length of staightway, radius of curves.
Good Luck and Happy New Year!
Thank you. The locomotive I am using is the 2065. I am not sure of the year but I know my Uncle was born in the mid 50’s. I took it to a hobby store who does overhauls and he seemed to think it was in very good condition. He oiled it up and ran it on his tracks for a few minutes without a tender or cars. I am not sure how many times it was run but I do know it has been at least 45-50 years in storage. Thanks for any info you can provide.
Thank you for the advice! It is running much better. I bought a new flat an was amazed at how much easier it was to glide. I lubed the truck inside and outside on the axles. I am now running 10 but I might have another problem with oil that did not work in hitting the tracks as I am now beginning to “spin my wheels” on the engine.
Stuart,
Thank you for the insight here. I am running a 2065 Hudson. I have just started and wanted to have something classy and powerful to haul at least 15 cars. While I do like the steamers I happened to spot a Bluebird/Wabush that had an amazing looking Vista Dome car. I am not sure when they were produced or if they were reproduced. Would this set have a more powerful engine like you mentioned here? Any info you could provide would be greatly appreciated!
You’ll want to use the oil sparingly. Over-lubing usually causes more problems than it solves. To remove oil from the rails (I’m in HO but I don’t think it makes a difference) I wipe it down with 91% isopropyl alcohol.
Robert,
The 2065 was produced 1954-56. It is a very durable, powerful Engine. I would definitely clean the track like Jeffrey said. Also clean the suface of the wheels where they come in contact and the sides if it is dripping down. What is the other engine?
John
You get 10 people here and you will get 10 answers. My 681 pulls 10 heavy post war cars around my table like nothing to it. [;)]
John,
Thank you. The other is my Dad’s old 2028. It is smaller and I have not yet run it on my track. It did run at the hobby store but I have not yet tested it with any cars. Because it is smaller I was thinking it would have less power and weight for traction. I am running the trains with the original 90 watt transformer. Is this powerful enough to provide the juice needed for the engine? I have one lighted passenger car and one caboose that is also lit.
Thanks Kev. While I am a novice still that engine looks like a real beast! How powerful is your transformer?
I had a RW and that was fine but I replaced it with a ZW because I am running 2 loops and a trolley track
The FM Trainmaster is favored by some but I think the real stump puller would be the dual motor GG1s with their diecast bodies for weight.
I would vote for the post war FM:
Your 2028 is a Pennsylvania geep, an engine that I am quite fond of.
Odds are, the lettering is either faded, or completely gone. The material that Lionel selected for the lettering (paint or ink) just did not hold up well.
If your lettering is nice (and original), then you have a somewhat unusual piece.
Avoid handling the engine by the lettering.
Replacement lettering is available, but as more of a collector than operator, I prefer to leave mine alone. You certainly should do whatever you prefer.
There shold be a working headlight on one end. No lenses.
Cleaned and lubricated, your 2028 should pull quite a few cars. The motor and power truck on the postwar geeps were very well designed.
When I accidently apply too much oil on the trucks, I wipe the excess off with a dry Q-Tip or rag. Just hold the Q-tip against the front (or back) of the wheel and turn it. You may wish to pick up a needlepoint oiler if you have not done so already. I like Labelle lubricants.
Thank you all for this very interesting thread. Dual motors, engine weight, magnetraction, proper conservative lubrication, squeaky-clean track/wheels/pickups, a milder curve radius, individual car weight, and transformer output. Lots of variables here.
Under ideal conditions I have to agree with Sir James and Frank. For pure pulling (number of cars), you can’t beat dual motors with their weight distribution and the transformer output to meet the challenge.
Even my single-motor Postwar Alcos (2031 and 2013) can handle a dozen cars once I get the consist rolling with judicious use of the throttle. Traction is the problem/challenge. In my mind the Postwar motors by and large were certainly far more motor than required for modest use. Some like Chief add weight in the appropriate spots over or near the drive wheels for added traction
Like Jeffrey recommended, I clean my track with the non-metallic Scotchbright pads and then “de-lubricate” the track with isopropyl alcohol and a cotton cloth. Then do the same with the drive wheels.
Jack