Lionel 773 thoughts

[mpzpw3]

I have been reading all the posts on the new Lionel 2005 catalog, and finally had to go see it for myself. The 773 Hudson set peaked my interest. I like the consist, and have always wanted a 773.
Here is the problem. My layout is not huge, and I don't use tmcc, but have becomed hooked on railsounds. The railsounds issue rules out Williams Hudsons, but the tmcc kinda rules out the new Lionel Hudson. I had the same problem with the Rio Grande F-3 set in the 2004 catalog.
I wonder if Lionel will ever produce these types of sets with and without tmcc, as K-line does? They could easily sell me at least two sets if they would offer them without tmcc, as well as with. Anyone else feel the same way?

[3railguy]

Lionel and MTH have offered with or without from time to time. However, the orders for conventional control engines have been so low, it isn't feasible to offer them this way. Additionally, the price the factory pays for the hardware is becoming so cheap, It often costs more to produce it without when they run low production numbers. You would not see much difference in price with a railsounds engine wihout TMCC. You would if it had just their generic horn like they use in the 0-6-0 saddle tanker or like Williams uses.

[Jumijo]

I just noticed that the new Lionel 773 hudsons look like the 1950 version with its slide valve guides and lack of a lamp-holder support, as opposed to the later versions from the 60's that lacked the guides but had a lamp-holder support.

The new Hudson does have some clear plastic wrapping on the hand rails near the front end that make me wonder, should it be there or is it just protective packaging material?

Jim

[johnsgg1]

<<<The new Hudson does have some clear plastic wrapping on the hand rails near the front end that make me wonder, should it be there or is it just protective packaging material?>>>

The clear tubing on the handrail is used as insulation in case the handrail comes close to the front door hinges. On the Command Control Lionel steamers the handrails are the TMCC antennas.

[johnsgg1]

MPZPW3, why not invest around $90 or so and pick up a Lionel Cab1 and Command Base. I say this for a couple reasons.

You are willing to pay big bucks for top of the line PWC sets - the Command set purchase seems rather small in comparison.

You get full Railsounds without dropout only in the Command mode.

You say your layout is not huge, adding TMCC would be most unobtrusive. You could add a Powermaster or TPC at a later time and have complete Command Control over all your trains, conventional and otherwise. I use TMCC for all my train running.

[Anonymous]

MPZPW3

A few years back I sprung for $90 for the CAB-1 and Command Base for my layout and that opened the doors to a whole world for me. I began buying command control engines and I've never look back.

You'll be able to run all the new locomotives with all the railsounds features at your convenience and you'll wonder what took you so long. It doesn't really mater how small your layout is, you'll enjoy running things from the CAB-1 remote.

In fact , I can't wait til August to get my hands on the new 773.