Hi, I see these popping up on Ebay all the time, they seem poorly detailed in comparison to other brass engines. Also heard they ran loud. Are they accurate? Are they any good?
Charles
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Modeling the PRR & NYC in HO
Youtube Channel: www.youtube.com/@trainman440
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I have two Tenshodo steam locomotives in silver boxes.
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They have open frame motors and all metal gear trains, so yes, they are louder than most locomotives. They also are lighter on the detail as you mentioned.
However, they are very heavy and well constructed. They are also very easy to work on.
I like them a lot. Compared to my Korean made USRA steam fleet, the actual construction work looks much more durable.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Well the detail on the detail looks minimal, alot of pipes on the boiler looked molded on, it is still a Brass engine, and the detail looks to be above a lot of lower end plastic at the least!
So I’d say if you like the look of the engine want it, go ahead and get it! You mention the model is often found on EBay, so I would expect the supply to be high. This should mean there is lower demand so I would hope after shopping around you may be able to get a good deal on the loco. I’d say don’t pay too much for the engine though. It doesn’t look like it’s up to the standards of the higher end brass so don’t pay high end prices for it.
About the loud motor, I know little about motor replacement, but I hear a lot about replacing older motors with can motors, so I suspect you could do that. The engine is sizable, so fitting one in their can’t be too hard! From what you’ve said in other thread you seem to be quite capable of fixing engine, so I dought that will be too hard for you.
Good luck whatever choice you make!
Regards, Isaac
I model my railroad and you model yours! I model my way and you model yours!
Hi there. I own a CP Hudson. It was not noisy when I got it but I changed the motor for DCC. It was really easy to do. But it wasn't really necessary. Changing the headlight to LED made a difference for sure. But I would not buy one without a statement from a seller how well it runs...
Simon
Thanks for all the replies!
Yes, I can do remotoring. Regearing is harder, but I'm confident that I can do it!
Is the model accurate? I heard they were a bit too tall and big compared to the prototype.
SPSOT fanWell the detail on the detail looks minimal, alot of pipes on the boiler looked molded on, it is still a Brass engine, and the detail looks to be above a lot of lower end plastic at the least!
I have seen these hudsons and I can assure you there is no molded on details..Those pipes are thin wire..
As you know those old brass steamers was fragile to the touch due to those thin wires and other tiny details.
Back in the 60s just about every modeler had a roster of brass steam engines.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
Tenshodo's early models like these weren't always the best for accuracy (check out the old F-units!), but they were built heavy and made to run forever. The gears might be a little noisy, but usually run smooth enough.
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Acccording to Stephen Redding's guide to Santa Fe brass steam locomotives, Tenshodo produced about 2,500 (which explains the frequency with which they show up on eBay) class 3460 Hudsons between 1960 and 1971, in several batches; they were imported by PFM. The model shown in the OP's pic is one of the older versions; from 1964 on, they had brake shoes. The detail is actually pretty good for that time; the main problem is that loco and tender are both too tall.
BRAKIE SPSOT fan Well the detail on the detail looks minimal, alot of pipes on the boiler looked molded on, it is still a Brass engine, and the detail looks to be above a lot of lower end plastic at the least! I have seen these hudsons and I can assure you there is no molded on details..Those pipes are thin wire.. As you know those old brass steamers was fragile to the touch due to those thin wires and other tiny details. Back in the 60s just about every modeler had a roster of brass steam engines.
SPSOT fan Well the detail on the detail looks minimal, alot of pipes on the boiler looked molded on, it is still a Brass engine, and the detail looks to be above a lot of lower end plastic at the least!
Well in that case the OP can ignore my assumptions about the “molded on” details. Thanks for the confirmation BRAKIE!
SPSOT fanWell the detail on the detail looks minimal, alot of pipes on the boiler looked molded on
Isaac,
The pipes are not molded on to brass engines. That is not how they are made. The pipes and all the other details are all separately applied pieces. That is how the makers of the good brass engines make their models so wonderfully detailed.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!