NYC Streamlined Hudson
The 4-6-4 "Hudson" designed by Henry Dreyfuss for the 20th Century Limited is perhaps the most iconic American steam locomotive. It is somewhat less well-known that he designed another, for the Empire State Express. Two J3a Hudsons, 5426 and 5429, were streamlined and given stainless steel sheeting to match their new Budd consists. Unfortunately, none of the NYC Hudsons, including the streamliners, survive today.
My model was intended as an experiment in hybrid Power Functions power for a locomotive. It is powered via the drivers (Big Ben XLs routed to accept rubber traction tires) via the same gearing as Emerald Night, but it can get its electricity from two possible sources. It can accept a PF battery like my other locomotives, but it can also be track powered. I gutted a nonworking 9v train motor (thanks, Cale) for the axles and metal wheels, and built some custom pickups to connect to a standard 9v electric wire. Once the bottom is removed, the 9v train motor may be disassembled without any modifications. The axles just happen to be a hair under 3mm in diameter, and can fit through a technic pin or headlight brick and still move freely. The motor may be plugged directly into this. Initial tests at Brickworld this year proved it can run in both modes pretty well, and I may try this arrangement again in the future.
The valve gear is entirely Cale's design from his K4s with only a few slight modifications
NYC Streamlined Hudson
The 4-6-4 "Hudson" designed by Henry Dreyfuss for the 20th Century Limited is perhaps the most iconic American steam locomotive. It is somewhat less well-known that he designed another, for the Empire State Express. Two J3a Hudsons, 5426 and 5429, were streamlined and given stainless steel sheeting to match their new Budd consists. Unfortunately, none of the NYC Hudsons, including the streamliners, survive today.
My model was intended as an experiment in hybrid Power Functions power for a locomotive. It is powered via the drivers (Big Ben XLs routed to accept rubber traction tires) via the same gearing as Emerald Night, but it can get its electricity from two possible sources. It can accept a PF battery like my other locomotives, but it can also be track powered. I gutted a nonworking 9v train motor (thanks, Cale) for the axles and metal wheels, and built some custom pickups to connect to a standard 9v electric wire. Once the bottom is removed, the 9v train motor may be disassembled without any modifications. The axles just happen to be a hair under 3mm in diameter, and can fit through a technic pin or headlight brick and still move freely. The motor may be plugged directly into this. Initial tests at Brickworld this year proved it can run in both modes pretty well, and I may try this arrangement again in the future.
The valve gear is entirely Cale's design from his K4s with only a few slight modifications