New York Central's 20th Century Limited Dreyfuss J3a Hudson

This engine is my favourite streamlined locomotive- its a real classic, the epitome of Art Deco industrial design. It has been out of action for a while, since I couldn't find spare parts for it. Here's footage of it on the rails again, after a while in its box. The music is the first movement from Steve Reich's "Different Trains", a piece which meditates on his childhood memories of travelling across America by train with his governess. Since he travelled in the years mentioned by the voices (1939, 1940, 1941), it is likely that he was on this very train. I've always thought it a great evocation of riding on a train. The voices, train bells, and whistle sounds are all part of the music, not added on top. The engine itself was quite fiddly to fix, given the intricate linkages, and gears which all required cleaning out. The accellerated footage of me repairing it gives you an impression of how long it took!

All the usual copyright stuff applies, I do not own the rights to the soundtrack, it is a Nonesuch CD, with the Kronos Quartet and Steve Reich. Owned by WMG

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• New
• York
• Central
• Dreyfuss
• J3a
• Hudson
• 20th
• Century
• Limited
• 464
• 4-6-4
• Streamlined
• Trains
• Models
• Layouts
• Hobbies
• HO
• Scale
• Rivarossi
• Rivarrossi
• Railroads
• NYC
• 5456
• streamlinedtrains

[pipey61]

It's a 4-6-4, not a 4-8-4! 4-8-4s are Northerns! Otherwise, excellent video!

[streamlinedtrains]

@pipey61 Yep, never mind. Ooopsie.

[ryan3571]

Brilliant tribute and background, very enjoyable. What make are the J3a and coaches?

[streamlinedtrains]

@ryan3571 All Rivarossi, an Italian manufacturer. Long since gone out of production!

[ryan3571]

@streamlinedtrains ah...shame, it's a great looking set. Thanks for sharing.

[streamlinedtrains]

@ryan3571 They do turn up on eBay once in a while - worth watching for. However, if you're rolling in the coin, theres a new MTH engine out! Its about $350 though...

[piglood]

Those NYC Hudson looked like they could pop wheelies if they felt like it! LOL!!!

[Fireheart528]

@streamlinedtrains BLI has a brass-hybrid version. I bought an old Rivarossi E8, must've been 40 years old! No DCC or anything and only two axles out of 6 powered.

[Dinosorable]

That's my favorite streamlined locomotive too.

[clintstrel]

I just picked up this train (made in Italy - same as yours?) at a garage sale for $40. I've managed to get it running again but the tender has been replaced with a non-stock issue. You have any extra tenders?? ;) nice to see this video online.

[ryan3571]

@streamlinedtrains much appreciated, I'll keep a lookout. Best,