Lionel Hudsons

[Anonymous]

I am thinking of buying a Lionel Hudson from E-Bay. Currently I have narrowed my choices to the following:
1.Boston and Albany (No. 18042) produced in 1995.
2.Wabash (No. 18046) produced in 1996.
Both of these models are Command equipped with Railsounds II. I will use them on a conventional layout. Any comments, previous experience, etc. would be much appreciated.

[Bob Keller]

I believe both models were in the first generation of RS, but I checked the catagog and RSII was the system. It sounded great I owned the B&A version.

I believe that every time it went through an O-31 left curve, the sound cut off. There was no cab detail, a plastic sheet hid the motor/electronics. The only way I could stop the sound from cutting out was to remove the sheet and let the cord hang free. I also recall some erratic running at lower speeds.

Of course that was just my copy.

[Kooljock1]

The Wabash Hudson is just horrible! Besides...I'm bidding on that one! Go find your own.

Jon [8D]

[csxt30]

I had the NYC Hudson # 18056 & the Mohawk # 18064. Both ran & sounded great at the time. Petty good smoke, but I don't think they were fan driven. Sold them & now both have some problems. Any of those engines are now getting pretty old , so I hope you're bidding on new in the box ones. Just my thoughts, thanks, John

[laz 57]

JOHN,
That Mohawk did ya like that?
What ya pay and what you sold it for?
I've been looking for one for quite some time. I almost had one on ebay for about 450.
What problems did or does it have?
Just picking your brain.
laz57

[1688torpedo]

Hello Laz ! The Village Train Shop in Perry,Oh has a Lionel Mowhawk from 1998 still sealed in the box and the price is $ 1200.00. If you're interested, Let me know and I'll give you their Phone # as I do not have it on hand.

[laz 57]

WOW KIETH,
Lots o money! I'll wait to get one cheaper?
Thanks though.
laz57

[Bob Keller]

Speaking of Mohawks, I have the 18009 from 1990/91. I bought it in 97 I believe, for $675, and though the price has dropped considerably, I don't regret buying in at that price.

My main problem with my engine is that it has an older reverse unit that will, upon occasion, go into neutral before being asked. With a 30 car freight train at a high speed, the results are ... unfortunate. [:O]

The tooling is nice, but the electronics and sound have moved on.

[csxt30]

Laz : I got the Mowhawk at Train America, when they had their retail shop for I believe 1250 back then. They sent it back to Lionel once for smoke problems, then it was ok, & the guy I sold it to didn't run it for 3 or 4 yrs, & the smoke is inconsistant now. The sound & all is working. I think the smoke even comes out the pistons. With the & elephant ear shrouds, it's a beauty of an engine, & my boy just loved the whistle & bell in it. I'm sure though that the only thing wrong is the smoke system, again. Oh, I got the Hudson with the Vanderbuilt tender from the Guy in Perry, that Keith is talking about, I think about a year before the Mowhawk, & I think it is working ok yet. Boy, that had great sound in it too. You would not believe what I sold all that stuff for !

[laz 57]

Thanks BOB and JOHN,
BOB does the18009 have just the bell and whistle? How is the smoke unit. Can this be upgraded to TMCC? I can get a brand new one for about $400. One more question can I get the elephant ears for this Mohawk?

JOHN I can't even guess what you sold it for? Would I be envious?
laz57

[Frank53]

LIonel Hudson?

There's only one:

[GregM]

Interesting to find out that the sound quirk my 18042 B&A Hudson engine has isn't unique. Mine seems to skip one chuff when starting out on a curve. This was the first command control steam engine I bought. I am pretty hooked on speed control now so I tried to sell it on the OGR Buy/Sell board but not even a nibble.

After seeing and hearing the new Lionel Mohawk at York last month I can't see buying an older version for $1200. I hope I can swing getting the new Mohawk next year but with the predicted cost for heat this winter it doesn't look real promising.

[Anonymous]

Beware of the 1998 Mohawk - especially a factory sealed one.

There were many factory related problems that Lionel may not be able to fix any longer. (Nevermind that it may actually have a LIFETIME warranty if it is a Heritage cataloged locomotive.)

Sorry, I can't remember exactly what the problems were, just that they were significant enough to have almost everyone of them recalled to the factory for repair.

Fred

[1688torpedo]

If I remember correctly, The Mohawks had a problem with a certain chip on the circuit board which helped control The speed of the motor and this caused some grief for operators. Lionel did issue a recall and fixed the problem. I do not know if Lionel has any more of the Boards in stock to help fix this problem or not. A aftermarket board from QSI or OTT may be your only solution for this situation. So, be very careful Laz. If you do find one for $ 450.00 or less. It may have defective electronics in it. If I had one I would just take the electronics out and wire in a Mechanical E-Unit to the Pullmor and take care of the situation. Like John said they are a nice running engine. I saw one on a layout a few years ago and it is a sharp looking and running machine. Good Luck.

[Bob Keller]

The 009 has the original RailSounds package. I don't have much of an impression of the smoke unit - but I rarely run them at home.

It was reviewed in the Feb 1991 issue and after re-reading it, the major gripe Jim Bunte had with the locomotive was the price ($1,300). The speed range was 9 to 71 mph I don't believe they were doing drawbar pull back then.

"Everything" can be converted ...

[laz 57]

Thanks BOB.
Laz57

[Warburton]

Bob Keller -- there's a name I haven't heard in a long time -- Jim Bunte. After he left CTT he went back to Cal., as I remember. Didn't he work for Lionel for a brief time, too?Is hr still in trains? How's he doing?