Lionel Vision Line 700E Hudson

My review of Lionel's wonderful new Vision Line 700E Hudson. Enjoy! More stuff at www.ericstrains.com

[@nathandeal9703]

Beautiful engine, and one that definitely deserves its place in the spot light.

[@qilinprime5615]

Honestly, the 700-E was what made Lionel such a famous company. Came out during a rough time for the economy and train enthusiasts and children were enthralled by it. It worked well, looked more accurate to the real thing than ever before and was just an amazing engine for it's time. 4-6-4 was considered one of the BEST wheel arrangements for trains because of how versatile and strong it was. As always thank you Ericstrains 👍🏾👍🏾🚂🚝🛤️

[@visionarylocomotiveworks9703]

Excellent review Eric. I was lucky enough to acquire my 700E Vision Line Hudson at a fair price, and it is by far my favorite engine in my collection. It's a beautiful runner and puller, and the sounds....it just has the best sounds. Period. I'm really happy your review not only gave a brief, but significant history on the original 700E Hudson, but also gave hobbyists the perspective of the new Vision version. I feel Lionel definitely went in the right direction in using a lot of the American-style tooling to capture the classic "old-Lionel" feel of the Lionel 700E.

[@blakemcnamara9105]

The NYC Hudson has to be one of the most iconic steam locomotives.

[@daniko4447]

ehh no, thomas is probably the most iconic train ever

[@bensommer4529]

When my grandpa was little, he actually had an original 700E. Unfortunately, when he moved out and married my grandma (whose brother had a 700E) my grandpa's mom threw out his 700E and all of his Lionel products. And the same happened to my grandma's brother. I showed my grandpa this video and he was BLOWN AWAY at this. He said it was very different back then.

[@traingirl99]

Different how?

[@bensommer4529]

+traingirl99 That there were no cool sounds, smoking whistle, swinging bell, stuff like that.

[@Ericstrains]

+Ben Sommer Awesome! Thanks for that story!

[@kaseykahang]

j

[@zechariahfrink3707]

Cool story but WHY would she throw away a man's trains???!!! That's just wrong

[@jonnybeck6723]

My mom had the all metal kit in the 40's... cripes, it was beautiful!

[@dadnyfur]

Yes! I can remember my co-worker dropping the Hopper car molding die, from the forks of the Hi-Low, from about 5 or 6 feet up, onto the concrete floor, while trying to load it onto a shelf. I was at the other end of the building, and heard the load crashing sound. I came running over, and saw the die broken on the floor, in two pieces, and a hole in the concrete about 6" deep! He wasn't fired, but admonished, it was just before Christmas. It was always a challenge lifting the dies safely...

[@modernphotographer]

They also offered a stripped down hudson back then... and the originals can still run today!

[@tonyvtc3]

The closest I have gotten too the 700e is the true 1950 50th year anniversary of Lionel I’m the proud owner of the 1950 773 Hudson. Great video. Thanks for sharing.

[@lostsoul3154]

It's amazing how much more realism is added down thru the years -- seems to be no end to how much better these get!!!

[@ILIKEMODELTRAINS]

I really like the 700E locomotive, the J1A is the most beautiful steam engine that was ever made and it's so bad that none of them was ever saved from the scrapper.

[@daniko4447]

at least a tender was saved

[@waynemarquardt5324]

Excellent touch on a historic locomotive, not over or under done. Bravo Lionel!! coming from a former 3 railer turned 2 railer. Perhaps Lionel might consider in the future making their scale proportioned detailed equipment convertable to 2 rail, we would welcome it.

[@dschephigh1]

Your trains are awesome. I would love to have a room like this. Good job, nice to watch...

[@PaulsTrains]

I should have pulled the trigger on this engine a few years ago as they are extremely hard to find getting more than they originally sold for on the secondary market! I'm still hoping they will do another run of the 700E Hudsons (non Vision Line) soon.

[@bradstrains]

Hi Eric, this is a beautiful engine and I'm now in the process of buying my own Hudson, not a 700e as I can't afford it but a Postwar reproduction 2008 4-6-4 passenger set with a Semi scale Hudson with an original type pullmor motor. Thanks for checking out my videos that was much appreciated. Brad

[@bobmartin3]

I mean well wow it's pretty amazing on how they even got the whistle working on this thing and with sweet sounding whistle this engine is so beautiful and my grandson must have a lionel steam engine like this.

[@The20thCenturyLimitedRickyB]

Eric you should make a night time layout operations video so we can see all the lights in the engines and layout

[@The20thCenturyLimitedRickyB]

+Trainbro hai

[@KwabenaL.]

The 20th Century Limited hense yur name

[@dadnyfur]

Wow! If I were still into O27, I would have to have this beautiful Loc! Lionel has come a long way. I used to work at the Mt Clemens Mich. plant in 1971, injection molding department, when they were owned by General Mills. At that time I felt that the quality was a bit lacking, too much plastic where they used to use metal. I'm glad to see these improvements.

[@jeffjacobson6717]

,

[@toms3978]

I think it has great detail to it. It's an awesome locomotive

[@LycoValleyRRFan]

Beautiful locomotive. It's to bad none were saved. I wish us HO guys had all those goodies like the bell and whistle on our trains.

[@terrysigler9043]

One of my favorite types of locomotives. They are fine and fast engines.

[@spadesofpaintstudios1719]

These engines are always amazing looking in real and model life

[@GfwTrains]

Such a beautiful engine. Thank you for sharing.

[@BearCreekWoodworking]

Eric, this is your best job of reviewing any product to date! Seems very fitting that your skills have peeked for the 700E! Thanks for the history lesson, and for the time it must have taken you to make this long review. Also nice to see this year's club cars behind the 700E. It put a smile on my face, because I have those cars too. Thanks again for a great review! It's a good way for me to relax after a long day of work!

[@FrankGrimaldiRR]

Great looking Engine, like the sequence sounds and the steam with the whistle.

[@105C09]

Wonderful engine. My one criticism is the crew chatter. It would be more appropriate for the time period of the engine to have the dialogue engaged between the engineer and fireman, relating to engine/fire functions and track condition. Also, there should be talk option related to the seasons, such as winter and a snow storm and summer with rains or sunshine. Also, day and night running talk would be a great option.

[@algorithm1193]

I have a Postwar 2-6-4 that looks similar to the 700E, but it's Lionel Lines, and it's not detailed at all. My grandparents passed it down to me.

[@SteamKing2160]

Eric if you get Lionel Legends: The Hudson, part 1 shows how the 1990's Lionel 700E was made. Part 2 shows all Lionel Hudson's from 1937 to 2002. Lionel only made OO gauge trains and the infamous paper train during WW2.

[@bobmartin3]

And the lionel vision line 700e Hudson sure is beautiful so that this engine here she's the New York central Hudson of all New York central Hudsons whoa boy even though they don't make them like that/like her anymore.

[@Blougon]

The Hudson got some cool features.

[@billbarman]

Fantastic video and fantastic train! Just one thing, the reason they did a gray version is to acount for the 763e. The 700e only came in black, but the 763, which was basically a slightly stripped down 700e with a tinplate vanderbilt tender for a smaller price, was usually gray. I have the 1990 700e, it looks very similar to this one seeing as they tried to keep the feel of the original, the only added thing I can find is a back light on the tender.

[@rail-ryder7135]

I wish I have a Lionel Vision Line 700e Hudson. That would be so awesome.

[@otakurailfan]

the 700e is an awesome locomotive, would love to have the vision line version and the original.

[@TobyPasman]

I think it's wonderful that Lionel used the same exact tooling on this as on the original 700E.

[@arrowguy173]

Superb review. The whistle, bell, and cab vents are fantastic details. Heck even the coal load looks better than what most engines come with.

[@MrBnsftrain]

I have the hallmark ornament version of the 700E from 1996! 3:30 I think their M10,000 from 1935 was the first "semi-scale" model, along with the 250E! 10:19 I thought Lionel didn't have smoking whistles until the 2012 items! If I were to build a modern steam loco, It would be of an NYC hudson, with the number 5344! Lionel would help, and will have "built by lionel" builder's plates!

[@GenericRailfan]

I Love looking at the whistle actually blowing out steam! That is amazing how it actually works!

[@SignalLightProductions]

Absolutely fantastic! Couldn't get better.

[@byates59]

Awesome, Awesome, Awesome review Eric!!!!! I love the great history and product information in your presentation! Excellent running session too! I have one of these bad boys in my collection and think it is an outstanding engine with awesome features, super smooth operation, great looks, great sounds and great history! Thanks again for the awesome review my friend! Have a great one!!!

[@TonyLasagna]

Sweet locomotive. New follower, love the content! I’ve got tons of LGB g scale, but do want to get into a bit of O gauge for indoors and their level of detail. The channel has been super helpful getting going.

[@PennRailVideos]

Very awesome review Eric! I love what Lionel did with this.

[@Ericstrains]

Wow, right on. I bet you've got some cool inside stories about working at Lionel back then. Neat!

[@Ericstrains]

It can, but you still need the TMCC command base as well as the cable to go from the command base to the TIU. I don't run any Legacy engines with my DCS remote because you just don't get access to all the cool Legacy features that way. You only get basic control over the engine.

[@adventuresofamtrakcascades301]

Every time I think of Lionel, I think of the New York Central, and when I think of the New York Central, I think of the Hudson

[@ogaugefoamertyler2777]

My dream engine

[@DennyDreadBassMan]

Great review, great engine. Way out of my price range, but fun to watch.

[@Andophonic]

Not a fan of the sequence control, but this is probably the most attractive (to me) engine that Lionel's put out in quite a while.

[@christsogaugetrains]

Your channel has inspired me to redo my layout. I dont have space you do but i have to work with what i have avaliable. 90 percent my engine are Lionel pre 1990. Was looking into some newer engines but I don't have legacy command system.

[@Ericstrains]

Nice! Good luck

[@danielwalton4563]

@@Ericstrains You should sometime make that lionel vision line 700e hudson pull the polar express sometime someday

[@SwindellSteamWorks]

Did anyone notice that when Eric did the pan shot from the right of the Hudson, the MTH NYC Mohawk was in the background?

[@TheBestTrainsAreReal]

OMG that is so detailed!!! I only have 2 polar express sets a few frieght cars and some postwar stuff and have enough things to open a train store XD

[@MichaelB450]

Nice Review and nice Hudson.

[@TheViRoCo]

Nice Engine Eric! The Engineer even has a New York Accent! Great videos by the way!

[@mdphotography100]

Awesome engine. Great video Eric.

[@nathandeal9703]

But on another note, which cycle for the smoke coming out is more accurate for steam train, 2 chuffed or 4?

[@Bassfanatic94]

Great video Eric! That engine looks sick! I can't just imagine running it in person! The sequence control is really nice too! What do you think of the diagnostics that are included in the engine? I have heard good and bad things about it. Anyways, thanks for sharing! Be sure to make a video of your MTH Mohawk running right next to your Vision Line 700e! Would be killer! Thanks for sharing!

[@zombiedropper1013]

also my great grandpa worked for the millwaukee road during the streamliner era

[@machia-mw1lm]

Eric , Is the whistle sound accurate ? Sounds a bit high pitched . Magnificent engine . Beautiful .

[@Shipwright1918]

Beg pardon Eric, but might you do a postwar lionel train review, or one of the conventional classic remakes? I got really lucky and got a used postwar lionel, so I'm looking to make a conventional postwar-style layout with the working accessories and so on.

[@NIAGARA3024]

Very nicely done. As usual.

[@ARKWIRGHTIS]

An excellent review, fascinating to watch.

[@harizon8862]

I find it unusual that this engine has a NYC 5 chime whistle, which were used on their freight engines, while this is a passenger engine.

[@FranzFerdinandVIII]

Maybe this was a freight Hudson.

[@1990sRailfan]

Beautiful engine and great review, but when it comes to Lionel trains, I prefer the original trains without sound. The early Lionel trains had a distinctive sound that I associate with certain memories. For myself, that radio chatter and chuffing would be a distraction.

[@Ericstrains]

@roloboy97 Yes, it's called Lionel's Legacy system.

[@Ericstrains]

The price is always mentioned at the very end of all of my review videos. Thanks.

[@roldac]

She is a mighty workhorse. Very informative video.

[@stevenfischer452]

My great grandfather gave that to me. It runs like a champ but only a whistle no chuffs or bells. But it sure does smoke which I like

[@NickG6489]

The audio on this is incredible! And I mean both the engine, and the camera you used to record this video with. What is it?

[@thejdmguru621]

I remember watching back in the day when I was 6

[@mootsym]

beautiful engine. Love it almost as much as the GE hybrid. I've done temporary layouts for years and have always wanted to know how to get that perfect look underneath and around the tracks as pictured here. What exactly are the materials? looks like some green stuff and rocks but is there a specific name? does it come in a bag and you just sprinkle it over a brown table? looks simple enough and looks great.

[@TomedysTrains]

It's a very interesting concept that Lionel made an "updated" version of the scale New York Central 700E Hudson #5344 from 1937. Yeah it would be cool if they could make a Vision Line New York Central Hudson that's made to look just like a real one, but this is a cool compromise and "what if" model in the sense if the TMCC 2 technology existed in the 1930s. One thing that was completely unnecessary is the swinging bell. New York Central Hudsons had stationary bells, so that was a waste for Lionel to implement that, but the smoking whistle is excellent!

[@nostalgiakarlk.f.7386]

love the whistle!

[@M0Liv]

Eric, what is the title of the book? I am a new model train repairman for a hobby shop in Dallas, Texas, and I would love to learn more about Lionel. I have always been an HO guy, so the O scale world is new to me.

[@MichaelGsandup]

Michael Livingston ho is nice but there just a traditional experience that dosnt come with other scales

[@jordaneriksson5417]

I LOVE THIS VIDEO

[@zombiedropper1013]

joshua lionel cowens favorite engine was actually the hudson

[@nickdeluna8681]

The owner of Lionel name Joshua Lionel Cowen that the New York Central's Hudsons are his favorite trains in real life. If Joshua Cowen was still living back then, the New York Central Hudson are definitely my favorite steam locomotives ever built. They should at least build a new engine either for excursion or set it in a museum on display. Well, hopefully I'm not the only one, and that's because that class deserves at least a second chance.

[@Ericstrains]

@726berkshire It's just the model number they gave it. I believe the "E" meant that the engine had an mechanical E-unit to reverse the train, but don't quote me on that.

[@jackaljackal6234]

I still have the old one and it still runs, but it breaks down when you run it for too long

[@ianbrown5494]

Ive been lucky enough to have my grandfather pick up a whole lot of postwar track a big ass transformer that could supply power to two different tracks and an aba passanger f3 set for the diesel side, for steam... the 700e hudson with a bunch of freight

[@The20thCenturyLimitedRickyB]

LOL big ass transformer! THANKS FOR POSTING! Made my day!

[@Ericstrains]

Thanks! It's a great engine.

[@Foxtrot_Vet]

How much smoke fluid should you put in

[@chiconian49]

Good job. You know your Lionel history. Chuck

[@Popsdasuss]

Great informative video!

[@ScottiesTrains]

Thats great info. I need to check the Katy engine to see if the aux 1 triggers anything.

[@dadnyfur]

One more story: Can you imagine, having the whole Lionel warehouse to yourself? It was around late November, when my boss told me that someone had left the side door on the warehouse unlocked. I was told to drive over there, go into the unlocked door, lock it, then raise the overhead door, hit the close switch, and run out. When in the warehouse, I could see all of the sets, and products stacked up on the shelves, it was model train heaven, and no one around. I did as I was asked, and left...

[@vidfreak727]

do some of the new steam engines carry that awesome blow down steam effect now? i would love to see that on O and HO scale one day!

[@Ericstrains]

@voldeymort1 The engine only talks if you want it to. This engine runs about $1600, so it's pretty pricey. But there are other steam engines you can get for $500-600. Of course, the less expensive ones are not as fancy.

[@Brendansemmler]

Hello nice review. I hired a libary book and it tells you how much a train is worth. I found the 700E and even a one in okayish condation is worth $700. Too bad i don't model Ho scale. I model british OO gauge instead. Very good review

[@ThatKidIs1Of1]

Eric you should get the Lionel rail chief 4 car set it originally came with the Hudson. they look really sweat they run on eBay from 2 hundred to $300 with out the Hudson.

[@TF47]

would you please make a video about how legacy control works and what you need to get started.

[@themagicbox446]

You should do a video on the new Lionchiefs! No one has posted a video of the Albert hall and it looks like a pretty nice set :P

[@Ericstrains]

The cab chatter is usually not very realistic on most engines, but it's still fun!

[@Ericstrains]

@ussjohnston1 It's a privately held LLC.

[@thehendyimage]

Can you make a video of the MTH New York Central J1e Gold Hudson?

[@METAGALAXIS04]

king rails such train sublime !!!! fabulously beautiful!

[@Ericstrains]

@NickG6489 The camera I'm using right now is a Canon Powershot SX20IS.

[@MMID303]

wow I looked up the inflation calculator online. $75.00 in 1937 has the same buying power as roughly $1,250 in 2016. So really it was the same as today's premier steam engines. Very expensive!

[@scrambler250r]

Yeah wow! That answers a question I've had for awhile, if the old ones were as expensive as the new!

[@Ericstrains]

@bulldogy1 They did not include it with this engine.

[@SwindellSteamWorks]

Okay, I'm glad to see that you do know about the Lionel Paper Train. I understand that you don't count those. To be honest, I wouldn't either.

[@nathanjoerndt8804]

Hello Eric i have a question does the train set include track or do you have to buy the track separately ?????

[@Ericstrains]

I buy the majority of my scenic supplies from Brennan's Model Railroading. I can't paste the URL here, but just do a google search for "Brennan's Model Railroading" and you'll find it. All his materials are excellent.