Bachmann Announces N NYC J3a Hudson

[SkipGear]

A while back I think somebody mentioned that the B&O did not have Hudsons.
Well, they had four Class V 4-6-4s which had 74 (V-1), 84 (V-2), 80 (V-3) and 80 inch (V-4) drivers.
https://www.american-rails.com/v.html
Charlie Vlk

They were all experimental designs, V-1 was a converted Pacific, the only one that saw major service was V-2 "Lord Baltimore", renumbered to 5340, built with an experimental high pressure water tube boiler. Unfortunately, none of them come close to the dimensions of a NYC J3a.

[propmeup1]

Just received it today. I can't seem to find the whistle that fits best. Ideas anyone ?    Had to set the chuff rate to 100. From the box it was 1.5 chuffs per rev.. Messed with a bunch of other sounds.   CV 198, I can't get the whistle to go auto with start and stop like i usually get with CV 198 at around V14.

I'm not too please with the pulling power for a pretty good weighted engine. Pulls five smooth sides up my 1.34% and that's all. It slips bad with six cars.    So who will be the first to pull the 3rd set of drivers and turn grooves for tires ?   I'm already considering that.   Could try snot too.
   My old Concor Dreyfuss from 1997 with the Soundtraxx ECO runs better all the way around. She can pull 11 smooth side and is a tad quieter.    Maybe too soon to judge but I'm not too pleased with this loco right now. It does look good, I have to give Bachmann that much.  As of today my four EM-1s run the best of all my Bachmann.

[altohorn25]

Just received it today. I can't seem to find the whistle that fits best. Ideas anyone ?    Had to set the chuff rate to 100. From the box it was 1.5 chuffs per rev.. Messed with a bunch of other sounds.   CV 198, I can't get the whistle to go auto with start and stop like i usually get with CV 198 at around V14.

I'm not too please with the pulling power for a pretty good weighted engine. Pulls five smooth sides up my 1.34% and that's all. It slips bad with six cars.    So who will be the first to pull the 3rd set of drivers and turn grooves for tires ?   I'm already considering that.   Could try snot too.
   My old Concor Dreyfuss from 1997 with the Soundtraxx ECO runs better all the way around. She can pull 11 smooth side and is a tad quieter.    Maybe too soon to judge but I'm not too pleased with this loco right now. It does look good, I have to give Bachmann that much.  As of today my four EM-1s run the best of all my Bachmann.

What's the CV for the chuff rate?

[altohorn25]

Since no one has posted a video yet, here's mine pulling the Kato 13 car 20th Century around my layout.

I did adjust starting, mid, and top end speed CV's (2, 6, and 5)

[propmeup1]

CV 114 for the chuff rate. I set it 100. Looks really good at four per.  Still can't get a good whistle.

[altohorn25]

CV 114 for the chuff rate. I set it 100. Looks really good at four per.  Still can't get a good whistle.

Thank you very much

[propmeup1]

I've tried CV 198 for the auto functions. Still can't get the whistle to work in fwd, rev or stop auto.   Only manually.  All my other Bachmann sound equip. works fine by setting CV 198 to V14  ?

[spookshow]

Had to send mine back - something got jammed up while it was running around and one of the rods popped free from the plastic bracket thingy that it mounts to. Tried to reassemble, but I couldn't get that damned little push stud to stay in place 

-Mark

[peteski]

Had to send mine back - something got jammed up while it was running around and one of the rods popped free from the plastic bracket thingy that it mounts to. Tried to reassemble, but I couldn't get that damned little push stud to stay in place 

Mark, you have to stop using all those highly-technical names for the valve-gear parts. "Thingie?"  "Push stud?" Most average modelers don't understand those complex terms! 

[propmeup1]

Ok, I got the whistle all squared away for fwd, stop and rev.    Fooled around with the eq and reverb sound affects.   I came up with a what is temp fix for the wheel slip.  My frog snot was all dried up hard so what to do next. I remembered I had a spray can of plastic dip for tool handles etc.  I sprayed some in a small mixing cup and with the loco on it's back i used a small brush to apply it to the rear drivers. It turns out black rubber and does not at all affect the pickup. I ran it over all my turn outs without any stalling. Now she pulls 12 smooth sides up my 1.34% grades.  Not sure how long it will last on the wheels but it's working pretty good.  Next idea is probably wait till Bachmann starts selling parts and order an extra set of drivers and then groove a pair. I don't want to risk screwing up what's on there now with no replacements available yet.

KTB

[peteski]

I find it somewhat amusing that Rapido Trains included TTs on they brand new N scale Diesel loco, while Bachmann just produced a brand new N scale steam loco without traction tires. This should be in reverse!  Most N scale steam locos need TTS, while Diesels usually do not.

Could this be considered ironic? 

[propmeup1]

I'd say stupid on Bachmann's part.

[SkipGear]

  - They could be staying true to the prototype, Hudson's were not used on grades. I seem to recall they ran the "water level route". 

[Point353]

- They could be staying true to the prototype, Hudson's were not used on grades. I seem to recall they ran the "water level route". 

Never heard of West Albany hill?
Freight trains usually bypassed it via Selkirk yard.
Westbound passenger trains would get a helping shove from the Albany station switcher.

[PJPickard]

I got mine..no issues with tilting cylinders.

But...

Wow those pilot wheels...I need to fix that eventually, so small in diameter.

Also the front coupler...I want a drop coupler, does anyone make one that will fit? This is perhaps the biggest visual flaw to me.