MTH HO Scale 4-6-4 Hudson Locomotive - Streamlined NYC Empire State

HO RTR 4-6-4 with PS3, NYC/Empire State #1



Written By:
Ken Hulsey
Source: Steamlocomotives


MTH has released, what might be, one of the finest examples of the famed New York Central's 4-6-4 streamlined, 'Hudsons', in HO gauge. This locomotive is painted in the railroad's 'Empire State' paint scheme, and is a must have for all railroad modelers and enthusiasts.



In total 275 of these powerful passenger locomotives were built for the NYC by the American Locomotive Company between 1926 and 1938. Of these engines, 13 were streamlined in the now infamous, "bathtub" casing that was designed by the Case School of Science in Cleveland, OH.

NYC locomotive 5344 was the first to receive the streamline treatment, in fact, it was the first American steamer to ever be streamlined, having its shroud installed in 1934.

In 1935 No. 5344 was assigned to the New York Central's premiere passenger train, the 20th Century Limited, which ran between Toledo and Chicago. This locomotive would remain on the head end of the 'Limited' until 1945, when a collision with a truck at a grade crossing, would cause the engine to have to have it's streamlining removed.

Locomotives 5426 and 5429, were streamlined with a stainless steel cowling to match the "Empire State Express" train. Both locomotives would wear this cowling until 1950.

Ten 'Hudsons' , numbers 5445 through 5454, were graced with the famed streamline design created by Henry Dreyfuss that matched the new cars of the New York to Chicago "Twentieth Century Limited" which was one of America's most famous luxury trains.