2840 NYC Commodore Vanderbilt Hudson, #5344, Spoked Drivers, Paragon4 Sound/DC/DCC, Smoke, HO

Broadway Limited Imports is pleased to bring to HO the most accurate and desirable Commodore Vanderbilt Hudson ever produced. In the summer of 1934, J-1e Hudson 5344 was pulled from service and sent to West Albany to be fitted with the first sheet metal shroud in America. Painted gun-metal gray with aluminum trim, the locomotive was named “Commodore Vanderbilt”, after the successful US businessman who previously owned the NYC railroad.

Developed by the Case School of Applied Science, the shroud covered the locomotive and tender. The shroud was not just for looks, but rather was well-planned and functional. Hinged panels made maintenance points accessible, and a grilled recess on top of the cowling aided the updraft of smoke. Two major benefits of streamlining were improved air flow and improved insulation. Engineers estimate a 2% aid to air flow and the shell certainly minimizes heat loss. Unfortunately the disadvantages of increased weight and exta maintenance tended to outweigh the benefits.

The Commodore Vanderbilt had her inaugural trip on February 19, 1935. After working for about 8 months, she was sent to West Albany Shops for further improvements. Boiler pressure was increased to 250 lbs, roller bearings were applied to the side rods, and disc drivers replaced the original spoked drivers. 5344 maintainted this appearance until July 1939, when she was returned to the shops again and given a shroud similar to the “Dreyfuss Hudsons”.

In this production, we are offering models of the Vandy Hudson in her original appearance with spoked drivers, and also in her later and longer-lasting appearance with roller-bearing siderods and disc drivers. We will deliver the models ready to run on 18″ curves. To accomplish this, we have removed two small pieces of shrouding at the front, and the locomotives will have a modified rear trailing truck. The two shroud pieces and a prototypically accurate trailing truck are included in the box, and can be easily installed as desired. Each of our Vandy Hudson models has a die cast boiler and tender body, and all models come with our Paragon4 DC/DCC Sound System with synchronized puffing smoke and integral GoPack capacitor.

Broadway Limited Imports is proud to introduce Paragon4: The new benchmark for premium HO sound-equipped locomotives. These DC and DCC-Sound equipped locomotives feature the ALL-NEW Paragon4 sound and control system. Each Paragon4 locomotive comes with BLI’s own integral DCC Decoder factory installed. Paragon4 locomotives offer Dual Mode DC and DCC operation with superb back EMF motor control, improved DC motor control, built-in capacitor pack for more reliable electrical pick-up, industry best on-board sound with Rolling Thunder functionality, Pro Lighting Mode for prototypical light control, Switcher model for precise low speed control, recordable DCC operation for automated playback, and the same excellent detail level as Broadway Limited’s Paragon3 Series models.

Paragon4 Sound & Control System Features:

• Operates in DC & DCC with improved DC speed control (use DCMaster for DC Sound)

• Built-In capacitor pack to navigate imperfect track

• Capacitor Pack automatically disabled on program track for full compatibility with JMRI Decoder Pro

• Pro Lighting Mode offers individual control of all lights on model

• Switcher Mode for precise low speed control.

• Record & Play Operation – Records and plays back sounds and movements once or repeatedly for automatic operation

• High Resolution Audio

• Quillable Whistle for various whistle lengths and patterns

• Choice of 3 selectable Horns

• Alternate Whistle / Horn where applicable for locomotive with air horn and steam whistle – both the main whistle and alternate can be easily played

• Adjustable bell ringing interval for faster or slower bell

• Numerous user-mappable functions with available keys

• Johnson Bar Sound at Direction Change

• Multiple realistic passenger and crew sounds play on command

• Grade Crossing Automatic Signal

• Automatic Forward / Reverse Signal – When activated, stopping triggers and stop whistle toot. When moving forward from a stopped position, toots twice. When moving in reverse. toots three times.

• Chuff sound intensity varies with load

• Individually adjustable sound volumes for each effect

• EZ Reset Button for quick return to factory default settings

**Specifications on this page subject to change.