MEC702I have been looking for an HO model of a MEC Hudson 4-6-4 loco. I know Mantua made a die cast one in the 50s, and IHC premier had a MEC hudson as well.
The Mantua 4-6-4 came out in the late 1980s when they were trying to recombine boilers and running gear from various engines (such as putting the B&O Pacific boiler on the Mikado running gear, which actually was a neat looking locomotive, but of no real prototype at all). In this case the 4-6-4 was a reworking of the very familiar 1950s vintage 4-6-2 model, including boiler. It had no precise prototype and was available painted Santa Fe and NY Central. I do not recall it being available painted MEC. But it did come undecorated so there may well be MEC ones out there.
The IHC 4-6-4 was also a reworking of boiler and running gear from other offerings - a handsome model to be sure, but no precise prototype, although IHC would swap around tenders and other parts to at least approximate some prototypes, And yes it came painted MEC and a bunch of other railroads. It would be up to you to decide if either of these engines comes close enough to your prototype to please you.
The AHM Rivarossi 4-6-4 (which IHC offered for a brief while) was pure NY Central prototype but even they played around with tenders and boilers and such to offer a streamlined Santa Fe and regular C&O Hudson out of the tooling. The NYC Hudson was a big locomotive, while the MEC Hudsons are sometimes called "pocket Hudsons" and indeed look rather like what both IHC and Mantua were trying to do - squeeze Hudson wheels under a Pacific's size boiler and firebox.
In rough outline both the Mantua and IHC models would provide at least a start to a "stand-in/approximation," and depending on your skills you could come pretty close. Note that the Mantua's details are mostly cast on metal making them a big challenge to change or remove. Also 80 inch drivers which is bigger than the MEC.
IHC's plastic is easier to remove or change. Drivers are smaller too, maybe 73"? If so those are the right size for MEC. Neither of them have the slant-front cab of the MEC. And neither Mantua nor IHC had the interesting little tender that the MEC had, with trucks almost like some Reading tenders. Bachmann used to sell a 2-6-2 Prarie with a somewhat similar tender - a kitbach opportunity? I no longer recall if the IHC model had the MEC prototype's Baker valve gear or not.
Dave Nelson
If I recall correctly, MEC had only 2 Hudsons
This is a link to the Highball Graphics MEC decal page, you would be looking for set #L-217, HO steam speed lettering
http://www.mgdecals.com/maine_central.htm
George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch
Your best bet is to find any Hudson that is close enough, then strip and repaint it. Highball Graphics makes decals for MEC steam engines. I have been modeling MEC for years, and finding a particuar factory painted model is difficult
Hello. I am interested in Modeling the Maine Central Railroad. I have been looking for an HO model of a MEC Hudson 4-6-4 loco. I know Mantua made a die cast one in the 50s, and IHC premier had a MEC hudson as well. The IHC hudson was listed on the Walthers Website, but is not available for purchase. I can't find any on eBay either. Does anyone know where I could find one (preferrably IHC, but Mantua will do)
Thanks!