Large Scale Central

Questions about USA Hudson Smoke Unit and Maintenance

Problem Solving
#1

I just received a USA Hudson and I am running into some operational questions that perhaps a fellow Hudson owner can help with.

The first and main issue is getting the smoke unit to work. When I first ran it I put about the same amount of smoke fluid I normally put in LGB steam locos (it may have been too much). I am using LGB Smoke Fluid.

After a long time I started to see a little smoke coming out around the drivers but not out the smokestack. Eventually a little smoke started coming out of the stack but not much.

After running it awhile I was concerned the fluid level might be getting low (the instructions warned about letting it run dry) so I added a bit of fluid and all smoking stopped.

A phone call to USAT resulted in a suggestion that I have vapor lock from too much fluid. The suggestion was to use a cotton swab to remove excess fluid. I tried a swab but it came out dry (I did not want to force it too deep).

I am hesitant to turn the loco over to let the fluid drip out as it might flow somewhere inside instead.

I would appreciate hearing from anyone with experience resolving this problem.

The other question is that the instructions call for periodic lubrication but with a loco this large, heavy and with small delicate parts I have no idea how I could safely turn it upside down to lubricate it. Again I would like to hear from other Hudson owners about how they maintain their Hudsons.

The Hudson, when pulling 11 USA Streamliners ran very nicely for the first several hours but lately it seems to run a bit slower after it has run several times around the layout. This may be partially due to the heat (100+ degrees) or more likely it may be the track is loosening up a bit and needs to be tightened for better conductivity. It has been too hot to work on the track but it also made me start thinking about lubricating the loco.

Thanks,

Jerry

#2

the hudson should have a TAS smoke unit. many were installed improperly by USAT, make sure it is insulated from the chassis.

They can take about 3 ml of smoke fluid… there is a picture on my site under smoke units.

if this is brand new, expect some variations until it is broken in. A very nice loco.

Regards, Greg

#3

Jerry, just a wild shot, but I have an MTH Triplex that will not smoke after putting in smoke fluid. They recommend just blowing down the smoke stack, as sometimes at least on that engine when you add fluid it sometimes gets vapor locked, and an indication is the smoke will come out around the tender and such!! You might give that a shot may work, before you go and do something complicated, try the easy peasey one first and see if it works on that one too!!! Long shot but it might just work!! Does on the Triplex Regal

#4

Thanks for the suggestions. I had contacted the dealer and was told the Hudsons have had a history of vapor lock and he too suggested blowing into the stack. I did try that and will again but it may be a little while before I run it again.

I am also going to try to suc*k (it would not let me just type the word) any excess fluid out with an eyedropper and small tubing.

Jerry

#5

Just a good blow or two should do the trick if indeed that is the problem! Works for me, sometimes I have to do it a couple of times though!! Regal

#6

Don’t stick anything down into the smoke unit. You will be sorry. You cannot buy replacement units easily, and they are not cheap.

Greg

#7

Suck, suck, suck!!!

You be darn tooting that will not print.

How childish that we need protecting from such a simple word.
Bob, we be growns ups dontcha know.

#8

Funny part is Tony - The board censors it in the post, but not on the preview! I saw your post in preview and it didn’t make sense, until I opened the post. I think a lot of the built-in censorship came from the software Bob started with, not something he intentionally added.

#9
Jon Radder said:
Funny part is Tony - The board censors it in the post, but not on the preview! I saw your post in preview and it didn't make sense, until I opened the post. I think a lot of the built-in censorship came from the software Bob started with, not something he intentionally added.
It seems I missed something here. If the software is censoring our posts, that sucks........whether intentional or not. Ralph
#10

that

s
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k
s

ha ha!

#11

I have an MTH smoke unit I removed from a loco. It smokes like a house afire, but sure sucks up a lot of fluid.
That worked. Maybe suck doesn’t.
Just add an “s” to all yer curse words. :slight_smile: :slight_smile:

#12

Anyone tried or own an aftermarket smoke unit that effectively works?

#13

I like the Aristo SD-45 smoke units, but some of them have issues as well.

#14

Depending on how you drive it, and how much money you want to spend…

http://www.elmassian.com/trains-mainmenu-27/dcc-battery-rc-electronics-mainmenu-225/smoke-units-mainmenu-208

Greg

#15

Greg-
Wow! The German unit – not clear the brand – was amazing. The reference to parts arriving, was it a reference to your having ordered a unit? It appears in the You-Tube video, accessed through your excellent summary of smoke units, the one engine demonstrating had a sinc unit connected with the drivers.

As to the other units, the Massoth looks promising. Any contact with anyone who has installed one?
Thanks for the effort!

Wendell

#16

Lots of discussion on smoke units here or there… MLS has a long thread on people using the Massoth, and also using DCC decoders to drive the heating element and fan directly. Suggest you read a few of the threads over there. The Massoth has done fine for several people, note that there is a high output version also.

Greg

#17

Jerry McColgan said:
I just received a USA Hudson and I am running into some operational questions that perhaps a fellow Hudson owner can help with.

The other question is that the instructions call for periodic lubrication but with a loco this large, heavy and with small delicate parts I have no idea how I could safely turn it upside down to lubricate it.

Again I would like to hear from other Hudson owners about how they maintain their Hudsons.

The Hudson, when pulling 11 USA Streamliners ran very nicely for the first several hours but lately it seems to run a bit slower after it has run several times around the layout. This may be partially due to the heat (100+ degrees) or more likely it may be the track is loosening up a bit and needs to be tightened for better conductivity. It has been too hot to work on the track but it also made me start thinking about lubricating the loco.

Jerry

Several years have gone by and I finally got around to running the Hudson and 11 Streamliners again.

I did not try the smoke unit and did not notice any problems running the train over several hours.

I have a question specifically directed to other owners of USA Hudson’s who are also pulling USA Streamliners…

Has anyone run their USA Hudson’s with 11 or more USA Streamliners either over many hours or many years? If so have there been any drive train problems?

As I set the train on the track (minimum 15’ diameter curves & perfectly flat) I realized just how much weight the Hudson is actually pulling. I am concerned that while USA offered 11 UP Streamliners, they may not have intended for the Hudson to consistently pull that much weight.

My concern is about the strength of the drive system as I have little experience running metal G Gauge steam locos.

Again, I am only seeking facts from Hudson owners with personal experiences (or from qualified USAT dealers). Reply via PM is OK too.

Thanks,

Jerry

#18

I don’t own a Hudson, but I’ve seen Raymond Manley run his with seven Aristo heavyweights for 10-15 hours at a stretch at train shows. As far as I know he hasn’t had any drivetrain issues.

The only drivetrain issues I’ve read about with the Hudson aren’t gear related, but instead are motor related. The implication from this topic at MLS implies that even six heavyweights may be too much, but there are also accusations of improper modifications to the loco.

http://www.mylargescale.com/Community/Forums/tabid/56/aff/17/aft/117701/afv/topic/Default.aspx

Raymond has a page detailing necessary lubrication of the motor here:

http://www.rayman4449.com/USA_Trains_Hudson_Mods.htm

I believe I recall from a forum post in the distant past that you had been in contact with Raymond about something; in this case, to the best of my knowledge, he either has the best knowledge about USA Hudsons or would know who does. Outside of what I’ve seen, it’s probably worth firing off an email to him to ask.

#19

Hi Robbie,

That MLS link is a good example of why I’ve given up on MLS (again).

I have a lot of respect for Raymond but for unknown reasons I have been unable to contact Raymond for some time now.

I have received reassuring emails from others I highly respect plus I enjoyed running Bubba’s Hudson with Marty’s USA Streamliners year after year. I just don’t remember how many Streamliners were used.

Thanks for your comments and the link.

Jerry

#20

I know this does nothing to answer your questions, but if you want to see a Hudson smoking, you really ought to check this out…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-4l4qIdNjc

This guy has a whole retro-fit system going that is really something.