Appropriate NYC HW passenger cars for use with Hudson J3 4-6-4?

It depends a little of what period and type of train you want to model. The J3a's were built in 1937, about the same time the NYC was adding its first streamlined/light-weight trains. J3a's would still be used on some of the premier trains that had not yet been upgraded (i.e. trains with several Pullman sleepers). After WWII by the late 40's most of the principal trains were upgraded to streamlined equipment, and the older heavyweight cars were relegated to secondary services (local trains, connecting runs, rider cars on mail trains, etc. - i.e. trains with lots of heavyweight head end cars and heavyweight coaches, and less often a diner or sleeper, and almost never an observation)

The Bachmann heavyweight cars are mostly based on Pennsy prototypes, so it would be anathema to use them behind a Hudson. The recent Walthers series of heavy weights include a Pullman plan 3410A 12-1 sleeper, a plan 3958A 14 section sleeper, and a plan 3979A 8-1-2 sleeper, all of which were used on the NYC and some of each type were sold to the NYC when Pullman sold off it's cars. The recent Branchline kits also include a plan 3410 12-1 and a plan 3979 8-1-2 cars which would be correct for NYC. Several years ago JC Silversides made a series of kits with pressed aluminum sides, pot metal ends, and wood roofs and floors; these included a baggage, RPO, combine, coach, diner, and (I believe) obs all based on NYC prototypes. I still see these cars at reasonable prices at train shows.

All the photos in a quick scan of a couple Staufer and a couple Doughty books seem to show the NYC heavyweight cars both before and after WWII in Pullman green. Geezer

Many thanks, Geezer.

- Bob

Geezer wrote: