MPC Hudson or LTI Hiawatha set?

[FEClionel]

I recieved a nice tax return and I wanted to add a classic lionel set to my small collection. I was thinking of the MPC NTC Hudson and the Red Streamline Prewar cars from the late 80's (Lionel Classics Set-forgot the item number) or the 6-51000 Hiawatha O gauge passenger set. Both are roughly the same price and equaly hard to find. Which would you think is a better choice?

[1688torpedo]

Hello FEC! Check with Fred Sipple in Erie,Pa; I think he still has both Trains you're looking for and I believe that the Hiawatha is the least expensive of the Two.If you do get a Hiawatha let Fred check it out as it has been reported on different forums that some of the castings have a tendency to decay. So,buyer beware! Take Care.

[FEClionel]

Does anyone have the 6-8406 783 Hudson and if so what do you think of it?

[ADCX Rob]

QUOTE: Originally posted by FEClionel

Does anyone have the 6-8406 783 Hudson and if so what do you think of it?

Mine is just getting broken in and is now a superb runner. I have torn it down twice in the last 20+ years to completely lube it properly as it only gets run on the Christmas layout or on our O-72 "carpet central" which changes configuration every few years.

The sounds are well below 2006 standards, but were good for the day. The liquid smoke unit is fairly prolific.

I ran this on the 036 Fastrack with the CW-80 transformer doing current draw tests, and it was about 1-1.5 amps at full throttle w/ the Polar Express consist, and the speed was great.

Rob