Beautiful HO Scale Model of a New York Central J3a Hudson, It’s a shame that none of them or the rest of the New York Central 4-6-4 “Hudson” Steam Locomotives were preserved to this day. At least we have a tender from one of these steam locomotives preserved at Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton, Pennsylvania. We also have a Miniature Steam Locomotive at the Sonoma Traintown Railroad in Sonoma, California based on the NYC Hudson’s. Which is Sonoma Traintown Railroad No. 5212. And we also have a lot of media honoring them too.
They've been making fine locos for some 20+ years now..Their small 10 wheeler and 'Modernized' 4-4-0 are gems in every respect.. I've them and their L&N RS3, very smooth runner and good livery as well, all DCC/Sound....+ their decent Mogul...
Very impressive and attractive looking NYC Hudson type locomotive, I have heard many positive remarks about these Bachmann j3a Hudsons and there is a need for NYC ho scale Hudson engines on the market. Sometimes I really wish that I modeled the steam era as I am really tempted to purchase one of these J3 class Hudson engines, Bachmann has really improved their locomotives over the past 5-10 years and this j3a Hudson model is a quality example of Bachmann's product quality progress- Tom.
The die-cast boiler construction of this Hudson is so good, it looks like the level of detail you get out of plastic body shells. Bachmann looks like they have created a new winning loco to their lineup!
Thanks for the review! I am pretty impressed that Bachmann did this model and looking forward to future releases by them. I’m tempted lol. TCS is a game changer for sound these days.
I like the white wall on the American Flyer J3a Hudson 326 which had the realistic airchime whistle. This sound is on one of my VHS cassette tapes so it proves the sound was accurate.
I bought one of these about 10 days ago from Charles Ro in MA. It is beautiful, runs great and the TCS WOW decoder is perfect (and no traction tires). Price $249 + S&H.
Nice thanks to your review i bought the last one from train world... Today😮...but to be honest i bought one of the berkshires and i was impressed when i changed the decoder and added more weight in the boiler and some added some detail.
I recently got one of these, and it’s an absolutely beautiful model! Although I would really love to know where you got that rolling stock, because I for the life of me cannot find any NYC heavyweights anywhere!
13:56 soulds like WM 734's whistle 14:02 and 14:06 sounds like a Hancock 3 chime 14:09 sounds like a southern ps4 whistle 16:19 I like the berkshire whistle 16:23 I love that southern longbell 3 chime 16:53 i love that 5 chime on the bachmann J3a
The default whistle sounds like a Reading Six Chime. Makes sense since the Hudson’s wore Six Chimes. I was looking to toss a PT tender on one but I might reletter it to the B&A.
@@UmoadoGaming I found that out when I picked mine up. The default actually was listed as NYC Hudson 6-chime but yes after checking it against my other Wowsound engine it’s the B&M 6 chime. I use the B&M 5 chime on my BLI Hudson with Tsunami2.
This is a beautiful locomotive, the "fine technology " worked well, but please don't do that too much.😅 can't wait to see the running video! Just sayin? You need an engineer hanging out the window
Fairly good review! As a Central fan I have a Westside J-3a that I compared to my friends Bachmann loco. For what it is it’s a very good representation for a Bachmann loco. One of the biggest gripes I had when I saw these locos was the Railroad Roman versions have lettering that’s extremely oversized, they very much appear to have copied Rivarossi on that and it was a massive oversight. Overall I commend Bachmann on capturing the Hudson’s essence and creating a loco that no one but brass manufacturers made
Thanks for watching! Review game is rusty, which is why I reccomended more people check out the running overview I did. But it's been a good engine post filming, very happy with the shift they've made on these.
I have a few questions. How do you change the decoder address? What CV do you use to change the whistle? I have the 5438 J3a, but I’m not very familiar with TCS decoders.
Address can be changed on any normal DCC program track, whistle swaps are done via function 18, but you have to blow the whistle to get it in swap mode. Same goes for bell or chuff, it swaps whatever is active or was hit last. TCS has a wiki for the engine decoder, it's useful in learning full functionality.
Does the Bachmann HO Hudson has brass bearings on the wheel sets? (The brass bushing on the wheel set axles that sits on the grooves of the chassis frame)
I've been trying to confirm something, when you say it's all die-cast does that include the shell? I've been looking around and could only find information that said the chassis was die-cast, but did not mention the shell.
One thing I couldn't find is actually how to scroll through the whistles. I can't find it in your video or in the instructions, but I'm sure it's somewhere out there.
F9 is the usual tcs function switch, you just have to blow whistle/bell before you hit it to start cycling though. Haven't had the engine in front of me since filming, so it's either F9 or one in the second function page for sure.
@michaelmitchell6476 It's been a little bit since I've had it out, otherwise function may be 13/14. Double check the manual to be safe, either way it requires a sound activation to cycle. Ditto for bell, chuff, etc.
Chuff is supposed to dial back when you slow down, that's why you hear the rod knock and chuff phase out. Sounds resume when you get back on the throttle or increase speed
The layout and my test section use Digitrax. Club layout has withrottle running through JMRI, so I don't have to blow cash on a physical throttle and can use an old phone for free.
Being a sort of rivet counter in the hobby, i just don't like having sound files that do not belong to the locomotive in particular. Can individual sound files be deleted/replaced if an owner doesn't want them? (Note: i DO love the model, just the sound files for other type locomotives kinda bug me,lol)
These decoders do the inverse- it opens up the model to countless sound options instead of being stuck with the same sounds forever. TCS boards come as they are, something like ESU would allow a file reprogramming. It would be far less of a value with only 1 chuff set or whistle.
It's gonna get even worse with inflation.... I remember the days when a simple Bachmann Thomas loco would cost like 45 - 55 bucks, but now they cost 70 - 80 bucks.....
Main issue with that is locking the engine into a sole decoder brand that could support smoke unit function, along with extra cost on the components. Absolutely fine with them skipping smoke, Bachmann doesn't even have fan driven smoke units in the current HO fleet.
@@SCL3618 I get it, a lot of guys can take or leave smoke...I like it, especially how good it can be if done right. This locomotive looks great for the money but for me I would gladly pay $100 more to have dynamic smoke. One of the "leaders" here in the states is BLI and even on their higher end locomotives they charge a good penny and deliver sub-par smoke. I just don't get it, it's not like once a company has it down to a science like Roco, KM1. MTH that it can't be copied. This looks great and because of your review it's on my wish list, I would just prefer the option.
Though she IS NICE, what's with the grab irons at cab rear being attached to a down-hanging deck plate ?!! Deck plate should have been able to be raised up to the tender floor..This is a bit dippy and unexpected of Bmann when their other steamers have 'em !..No smoke unit either ? Hmm..At this price front coupler should have been hinged to fold down into pilot...
I can live with no smoke, currently none of the decoders that would slot in support a fan driven smoke unit- something driving up the cost anyway. Engine performance across the board makes up for a detail part or two being off. From experience- deck plates get in the way and can cause tender derailments if pushed the wrong way during normal running. The streamlined K4 was notoriously bad for derailing due to it.
Not true about deck plates..Go to "Santa Fe Steam and Coal Trains 1946" Publisher: Paulschannel. Droves of highly detailed gorgeous steam locos all with deck plates.. I like this Hudson here and Bachmann in general, but some things on this one at this price could have had it ALL done correctly; front coupler, grab irons at cab rear, smoke. J3a is my No.1 fav non-articulated.. Y6b fav mallet...is why I'm being picky here..
Compared with a EU designed loco & produced by any EU manufacturer Bachmann is still 10 year behind. Quality is not top either. Middle driver looks egg shape. Toy truck under the cap. For 300$ ? hmmmm no deal. To much whistle anyway...
This is a step up for Bachmann US, obviously it isn't going to be something like Trix/Marklin, but it's progress nonetheless. Yeah I believe in blowing the whistle, compared to videos that waste your time by not showing off the sounds in full. Might as well film how most people will run it!
Club layout + test track uses a DCC system for control. Running wise, we have it set up where trains can be run from an app thanks to wifi and a PC program talking to the control system.
Amazing work Bachmann you finally earn my respect for a diecast and decent running locomotive for once
Beautiful HO Scale Model of a New York Central J3a Hudson, It’s a shame that none of them or the rest of the New York Central 4-6-4 “Hudson” Steam Locomotives were preserved to this day. At least we have a tender from one of these steam locomotives preserved at Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton, Pennsylvania. We also have a Miniature Steam Locomotive at the Sonoma Traintown Railroad in Sonoma, California based on the NYC Hudson’s. Which is Sonoma Traintown Railroad No. 5212. And we also have a lot of media honoring them too.
Bachmann knocked it out of the park with this Hudson didn’t they?
Very much so.
A lot better than locos from the past few years!
Bachmann may have finally made an actually good model and i love it.
They’ve made a few good ones the last few years. The quality has really come up.
@@PereMarquette1223 indeed
@@fennectherailfanfurry7511 hey man I’m surprised I found your channel
They've been making fine locos for some 20+ years now..Their small 10 wheeler and 'Modernized' 4-4-0 are gems in every respect.. I've them and their L&N RS3, very smooth runner and good livery as well, all DCC/Sound....+ their decent Mogul...
Very impressive and attractive looking NYC Hudson type locomotive, I have heard many positive remarks about these Bachmann j3a Hudsons and there is a need for NYC ho scale Hudson engines on the market. Sometimes I really wish that I modeled the steam era as I am really tempted to purchase one of these J3 class Hudson engines, Bachmann has really improved their locomotives over the past 5-10 years and this j3a Hudson model is a quality example of Bachmann's product quality progress- Tom.
It's worth checking out if you ever get the chance!
The die-cast boiler construction of this Hudson is so good, it looks like the level of detail you get out of plastic body shells. Bachmann looks like they have created a new winning loco to their lineup!
Bachmann's really started to rebuild its reputation ever since they began using TCS for sound
Moving beyond Soundtraxx was a step for the better.
Thanks for the review! I am pretty impressed that Bachmann did this model and looking forward to future releases by them. I’m tempted lol.
TCS is a game changer for sound these days.
I like the white wall on the American Flyer J3a Hudson 326 which had the realistic airchime whistle. This sound is on one of my VHS cassette tapes so it proves the sound was accurate.
This video is great! I have a video suggestion you should recreate your old trainz videos. I watched them all the time when I was little.
I bought one of these about 10 days ago from Charles Ro in MA. It is beautiful, runs great and the TCS WOW decoder is perfect (and no traction tires). Price $249 + S&H.
I wish I had money to buy this fabulous loco. Love everything NYC.
Bachmann will likely make more runs, plenty of time to save up for one or find it used for less.
Nice thanks to your review i bought the last one from train world... Today😮...but to be honest i bought one of the berkshires and i was impressed when i changed the decoder and added more weight in the boiler and some added some detail.
I recently got one of these, and it’s an absolutely beautiful model! Although I would really love to know where you got that rolling stock, because I for the life of me cannot find any NYC heavyweights anywhere!
Took some digging around- the Bachmann cars are the easiest to find. 2x Rivarossis + Athearn observation were found at a show.
Ok,ok! Let's see it run!
That's why a full running video was uploaded before this review went live.
Great video! TCS would love to be able to embed and share this video on our website and social media with your permission.
Thanks for watching! Feel free to use this one or the running overview video if you prefer one with less narration.
13:56 soulds like WM 734's whistle
14:02 and 14:06 sounds like a Hancock 3 chime
14:09 sounds like a southern ps4 whistle
16:19 I like the berkshire whistle
16:23 I love that southern longbell 3 chime
16:53 i love that 5 chime on the bachmann J3a
Not to be a rivet counter, but 16:23 is actually a Lehigh & New England 3 chime. I have the decoder myself.
16:19 Kingsly 4 chime*
@@victoriaking4570 oh nice. I also thought it could be a virginia, & southwestern 3 chime as well lol
@@victoriaking4570 I've never heard a 4 chime before
The default whistle sounds like a Reading Six Chime. Makes sense since the Hudson’s wore Six Chimes.
I was looking to toss a PT tender on one but I might reletter it to the B&A.
The default whistle is a Boston & Maine 6 chime not a Reading 6(I have the decoder).
@@UmoadoGaming I found that out when I picked mine up. The default actually was listed as NYC Hudson 6-chime but yes after checking it against my other Wowsound engine it’s the B&M 6 chime. I use the B&M 5 chime on my BLI Hudson with Tsunami2.
Ok so they changed it. I understand 👍🏾
This is a beautiful locomotive, the "fine technology " worked well, but please don't do that too much.😅 can't wait to see the running video!
Just sayin? You need an engineer hanging out the window
It's been a good engine so far. The running video was posted a few days before review, feel free to check it out if you'd like!
Fairly good review! As a Central fan I have a Westside J-3a that I compared to my friends Bachmann loco. For what it is it’s a very good representation for a Bachmann loco. One of the biggest gripes I had when I saw these locos was the Railroad Roman versions have lettering that’s extremely oversized, they very much appear to have copied Rivarossi on that and it was a massive oversight. Overall I commend Bachmann on capturing the Hudson’s essence and creating a loco that no one but brass manufacturers made
Thanks for watching! Review game is rusty, which is why I reccomended more people check out the running overview I did. But it's been a good engine post filming, very happy with the shift they've made on these.
I have a few questions. How do you change the decoder address? What CV do you use to change the whistle? I have the 5438 J3a, but I’m not very familiar with TCS decoders.
Address can be changed on any normal DCC program track, whistle swaps are done via function 18, but you have to blow the whistle to get it in swap mode. Same goes for bell or chuff, it swaps whatever is active or was hit last. TCS has a wiki for the engine decoder, it's useful in learning full functionality.
Does the Bachmann HO Hudson has brass bearings on the wheel sets? (The brass bushing on the wheel set axles that sits on the grooves of the chassis frame)
I don't think so.
Damn I really want one of these.
They're out to retailers now, just take pick of preferred shop!
Superb !!
I've been trying to confirm something, when you say it's all die-cast does that include the shell? I've been looking around and could only find information that said the chassis was die-cast, but did not mention the shell.
Yep, engine shell is diecast
One thing I couldn't find is actually how to scroll through the whistles. I can't find it in your video or in the instructions, but I'm sure it's somewhere out there.
F9 is the usual tcs function switch, you just have to blow whistle/bell before you hit it to start cycling though. Haven't had the engine in front of me since filming, so it's either F9 or one in the second function page for sure.
I just got my j3a it’s making a small clicking noise new straight out of the box does it need maintenance or just needs to be broken in
Break it in. If it persists, send back for a new one or get up with Bachmann
There's a Hudson Next is Hudson 5449.
What controller do you use for this train
You can use any DCC controller, for this video I'm running it off my phone via JMRI Withrottle linked in to the club's Digitrax system.
Okay I’ve got to ask how’d you change the whistles to be different?
Pressing F9 cycles through the sets, but you have to blow it first to let decoder know what sound to change
@@SCL3618 oh cool thanks
@michaelmitchell6476 It's been a little bit since I've had it out, otherwise function may be 13/14. Double check the manual to be safe, either way it requires a sound activation to cycle. Ditto for bell, chuff, etc.
@@SCL3618 thank you
What's the tightest curve for the bachmann Hudson? Would be 18' curve?
22 is reccomended, but it may be able to handle 18 in some cases.
@@SCL3618 ok just wondering thanks
I got the train and when I slow down has no chuffing sound and was wondering if the train community can help
Chuff is supposed to dial back when you slow down, that's why you hear the rod knock and chuff phase out. Sounds resume when you get back on the throttle or increase speed
Thank you
13:47 ohcr 1293 whistle
What dcc control are you using
The layout and my test section use Digitrax. Club layout has withrottle running through JMRI, so I don't have to blow cash on a physical throttle and can use an old phone for free.
Awesome 😊
Being a sort of rivet counter in the hobby, i just don't like having sound files that do not belong to the locomotive in particular. Can individual sound files be deleted/replaced if an owner doesn't want them? (Note: i DO love the model, just the sound files for other type locomotives kinda bug me,lol)
These decoders do the inverse- it opens up the model to countless sound options instead of being stuck with the same sounds forever. TCS boards come as they are, something like ESU would allow a file reprogramming. It would be far less of a value with only 1 chuff set or whistle.
280 for a bachman is reducules should be 100 cheeper
Dream on dude, those prices are long gone for nice HO equipment.
It's gonna get even worse with inflation.... I remember the days when a simple Bachmann Thomas loco would cost like 45 - 55 bucks, but now they cost 70 - 80 bucks.....
Wait for a sale or someone fire listing theirs.
Wait this is bachmann!
Yup!
@@SCL3618 wow this engines just made every other bachmann steam engine feel like thier prairie
Looks great but in my opinion they should have added $50-$75 to the price and given us dynamic smoke, I mean this is 2023....
Main issue with that is locking the engine into a sole decoder brand that could support smoke unit function, along with extra cost on the components. Absolutely fine with them skipping smoke, Bachmann doesn't even have fan driven smoke units in the current HO fleet.
@@SCL3618 I get it, a lot of guys can take or leave smoke...I like it, especially how good it can be if done right. This locomotive looks great for the money but for me I would gladly pay $100 more to have dynamic smoke. One of the "leaders" here in the states is BLI and even on their higher end locomotives they charge a good penny and deliver sub-par smoke. I just don't get it, it's not like once a company has it down to a science like Roco, KM1. MTH that it can't be copied. This looks great and because of your review it's on my wish list, I would just prefer the option.
Though she IS NICE, what's with the grab irons at cab rear being attached to a down-hanging deck plate ?!! Deck plate should have been able to be raised up to the tender floor..This is a bit dippy and unexpected of Bmann when their other steamers have 'em !..No smoke unit either ? Hmm..At this price front coupler should have been hinged to fold down into pilot...
I can live with no smoke, currently none of the decoders that would slot in support a fan driven smoke unit- something driving up the cost anyway. Engine performance across the board makes up for a detail part or two being off. From experience- deck plates get in the way and can cause tender derailments if pushed the wrong way during normal running. The streamlined K4 was notoriously bad for derailing due to it.
Not true about deck plates..Go to "Santa Fe Steam and Coal Trains 1946" Publisher: Paulschannel.
Droves of highly detailed gorgeous steam locos all with deck plates.. I like this Hudson here and Bachmann in general, but some things on this one at this price could have had it ALL done correctly; front coupler, grab irons at cab rear, smoke. J3a is my No.1 fav non-articulated.. Y6b fav mallet...is why I'm being picky here..
FIRST YAY
Compared with a EU designed loco & produced by any EU manufacturer Bachmann is still 10 year behind. Quality is not top either. Middle driver looks egg shape. Toy truck under the cap. For 300$ ? hmmmm no deal. To much whistle anyway...
This is a step up for Bachmann US, obviously it isn't going to be something like Trix/Marklin, but it's progress nonetheless.
Yeah I believe in blowing the whistle, compared to videos that waste your time by not showing off the sounds in full. Might as well film how most people will run it!
@@SCL3618 thanks for your reply! Success.
What are you using to control this train? I'm quite new to a lot of this 🥲
Club layout + test track uses a DCC system for control. Running wise, we have it set up where trains can be run from an app thanks to wifi and a PC program talking to the control system.
😍😍😍😍😍