20th Century Niagara

[PJB]

I didn't see any threads on this so thought I'd ask: the announced Vision Niagara locomotive will be offered in a few road numbers and the 20th Century version. I'm a novice and trying to find out what if any differences in detail and paint scheme there might be - so I looked them all up on google last night (Lionel hasn't yet published photos yet). But I can't seem to find the 20th century version. Does anyone have a feel for what the differences in detail or paint schemes might be between the road numbers and what the 20th Century version might look like? Thanks.

[Roy]

There was an accident involving one of the streamlined Hudsons in 1945, and New York Central then started removing the streamlining shrouds. I don't think NYC messed with them again, so I expect the 20th Century engines were conventional. I don't think they were specially marked or painted, either.

[chuck]

Niagara's wore plain black. The new Lionel scheme is a "what if".

They started stripping Hudson shrouds for maintenance purposes. This probably accelerated during WW2 for the war effort.

The Niagara's weren't in service that long. They didn't start work until the war was over and were compared to diesel replacements. The figures were very close as most of the improvements possible for a steam engine were applied to the design. Maintenance was still a heavy factor and the units were retired and scrapped after only 10 years of service.

[PJB]

Timing really is everything, and the Niagaras came along too late. From what I've read, they were very well engineered and I think would have had a longer run if they had come along sooner.

I doubt Lionel would put the shrouding on the 20th Century version, but then not sure what would distinguish it from the others without any little details or the paint scheme being different? Thinking I'm getting ahead of myself - I'll just wait till they issue the catalogue in a couple months. Thanks all.

[chuck]

No shrouding. Cigar band paint scheme that was used on the Dreyfus styled Hudson instead of plain black.

[Roy]

Chuck, when did NYC start streamlining the Hudsons? Did they streamline both J-1s and J-3s?

[chuck]

Mostly J-3's (last 10 manufactured) starting in 1938 for the "new" 20th Century limited. The J-1e Commodore Vanderbilt was re-shrouded to match and two earlier J-3's were streamlined for the Empire State Express. Five of the last ten had Scullin drivers and five had Boxbox. The ES unit and the CV had Scullin's.

[Roy]

Thanks, Chuck.

[rogruth]

Chuck,
Please don't take offense but do you mean Boxpok drivers?

[jlong]

Most badass NYC engine ever

[chuck]

No offense taken Roger. Auto guess strikes again!

[J. S. Bach]

Most badass NYC engine ever

Looks powerful just sitting there.

[LarryK]

[quote="jlong"]Most badass NYC engine ever/quote]

Kickin' butt and takin' names.

Larry

[E7]

Most badass NYC engine ever

They pretty much reek POWER and look good either with or without smoke lifters. A bloody shame none were saved!

[Jim K]

Most badass NYC engine ever

They pretty much reek POWER and look good either with or without smoke lifters. A bloody shame none were saved!

For sure it was/is a shame. On the Top 15 Extinct American Locomotives it is rated #3. And that opinion and two
bucks will get you a coffee somewhere. I found the linked You Tube video to be very interesting and educational.
That C&O steam turbine was a dang scary looking beast to me.

https://youtu.be/MdD3LOnv1TY

Train ON,

Jim K