In 1937, Alco built 50 class J-3a 4-6-4 Hudsons for the New York Central RR. These new J-3a locomotives were heavier and more powerful than their predecessors. Half were built with the Boxpok drivers used on the model while the others came with Scullin disk drivers. They were delivered with 12-wheel tenders that were ultimately replaced with larger capacity 14-wheel “centipede” tenders to extend the Hudsons’ range with NYC’s crack passenger trains, including the famous 20th Century Limited. Numbered 5405, the model represents the first of the class.
The model has a long list of special features, many of which are incorporated in the sound system. However, several of these features cannot be activated when running the engine on the DC power most commonly used for large scale. They must be triggered with a three-rail-style AC power pack that has “bell” and “whistle” buttons, or with MTH’s Digital Command System of command control.
A 30-page illustrated instruction manual covers the locomotive’s numerous operating procedures along with lubrication, coupler installation, light bulb and traction-tire replacement, a list of approved power packs, and troubleshooting the sound system. The model is made primarily of high-impact polycarbonate plastic and all of the key details are present, though its piping is simplified. Most details are separate parts. A large motor housed in the boiler drives a gearbox on the center axle. The other axles are driven through the side rods. Ten electrical pickups are provided via four of the drivers, the four trailing-truck wheels, and two sliding shoes between the first and second drivers. These shoes ensure a constant signal from the track for the DCS control system. The rear drivers have traction tires, and two extras are included.
The smokebox door opens and is kept closed by a magnet, a nice touch. Inside the smokebox are two potentiometers which control the volume and the smoke output. Leaving the smoke unit on without fluid risks damage.
A working MTH knuckle coupler is mounted on the rear tender truck. A hook-and-loop coupler is also provided, as are a mounting block and instructions for body-mounting a Kadee magnetic knuckle coupler.
A rigidly mounted dummy coupler is provided on the pilot. On the prototype, this coupler was dropped into a recess in the pilot during normal operation.
The model is a handsome replica of its prototype, but a few things detract from its appearance. One is the wheels: they have flanges deeper than the NMRA standard for 1:32 scale, and that accentuates the bright metal tires.
Another is that the long drawbar has only one hole in it, causing an excessive gap between the locomotive and tender. This gap is necessary for the locomotive to negotiate sharp curves, but a couple extra holes in the drawbar would allow closer coupling for display or use on wider radii.
Sound system The sound system is housed in the tender with its speaker mounted over a grill in the floor. A plug-in cable connects it to the locomotive. Two AA nickel-cadmium batteries, which MTH notes are good for up to five years, are concealed inside the boiler. (A screw under the cylinders and two in the back corners of the firebox secure the boiler.) When the battery charge is low, the sounds become garbled or distorted. You can recharge the batteries by leaving the engine on the track powered up in the “neutral” mode for six to seven hours, or you can open the boiler and remove the batteries to charge them in an external charger (not supplied). When power is first applied to the track, the engine won’t move until its electronics are ready. This is evident in the AC instructions, but less so in those for DC operation. With ordinary DC power the lights come on, the sound system revs up, and only then does the engine start moving.
On DC, the engine makes a variety of sounds besides the bell and whistle. The chuff sound is synchronized to the drivers at user-selectable rates. Exhaust chuffing sounds change pitch as the speed increases. When stopping, there’s a squeal of brakes, followed by a low steam exhaust roar, and the sound of the air pumps recharging the brakes. There’s plenty of sound volume, and the smoke unit is synchronized to deliver a puff of smoke with each chuff.
Many more sound and operating effects are accessed with MTH’s DCS AC command control system, optional handheld controller, and track interface units.
They include:
- Adjustable Doppler effects.
- Adjustable maximum speed and acceleration.
- Audio broadcasting through the locomotive sound system.
- Double-heading controls.
- Individual sound-byte selection.
- Layout emergency stop function.
- Mute control.
- Remote lighting controls.
- Remote volume controls.
- Smoke output (fan-driven).
Operation
It takes a little practice to get comfortable with this model’s somewhat unusual operating characteristics. It takes 10 to 12 volts to get it going as the lights and sound system start first. When a lot of power is suddenly applied, the engine will stay stationary for a few seconds, start out slowly, and then rapidly pick up speed. If the power is cut, the engine coasts for a foot or so.
Stopping and reversing the engine’s direction quickly causes it to continue in its original direction for a few feet before stopping and reversing direction. You must stop the locomotive, let it sit a few seconds, and then reverse it.
A constant-speed feature is built in, which maintains engine speed up and down hills and through curves, similar to the cruise control on your car. Its top speed at 24V comes set at about half of the prototype’s speed capability.
The model J-3a is a powerful hauler capable of pulling about 60 freight cars on straight and level track. However, it uses a prodigious amount of current – around 3 amps at full load. You’ll need a hefty power pack for this one.
All in all, the J-3a is an interesting model that’s a bit of a contradiction. It’s a beautiful, correctly scaled locomotive with an innovative – yet unusual – sound and control system. Likewise, the model’s bright tires and oversize flanges contrast with its powerful performance and overall realism.
Price: $799.95
Manufacturer:
MTH Electric Trains
7020 Columbia Gateway Drive
Columbia, MD 21046
www.mth-railking.com
Description:
Plastic and metal ready-to-run
New York Central 4-6-4 locomotive
Features:
Drawbar pull: 70 ounces (60 cars)
Engine and tender weight:
15.5 pounds
Engineer and fireman in cab
Flange depth is .130″
(NMRA maximum depth is .062″)
Flywheel mechanism
Illuminated cab and glowing firebox;
Minimum radius: 30½”
Synchronized fan-driven smoke unit
Synchronized sound system
White constant-directional headlights
