The Lionel Model No. 773 4-6-4 Hudson locomotive and tender from 1950 significantly reignited the enthusiasm that devoted O gauge modeler Walt Urban Jr. holds for toy trains. This serves as a reminder that enthusiasts who came of age in the '50s often associate the winter holidays with special nostalgia. Similar to his experience, numerous individuals fondly recollect the excitement of discovering what Santa brought on Christmas Day. under the Christmas tree .
Walt says his most cherished memory involves eagerly awaiting a new Lionel train that he'd place right away on the O gauge tubular track set up on a 4x8-foot plywood board designed to accommodate a beautifully adorned tree complete with vibrant decorations. Early on, Walt discovered that tinsel and electric trains do not mix well!
During his developmental years, Walt grew up in a humble row house in Philadelphia. His dad worked in truck repairs, while his mother stayed at home as a conventional homemaker. Although our family had restricted means, every Christmas morning brought joy with something from Lionel making the holiday cheerful and splendid.
In 1950, Walt was just one year old when Lionel released the 773 Hudson model train. He recalls his mother taking him and his younger sister to big department stores in downtown Philadelphia every Black Friday right after Thanksgiving. Places such as Wanamaker’s and Gimbel’s featured impressive Lionel setups during those times. These visits were formative for Walt; he became well-acquainted with the Lionel Hudson and held onto this memory strongly. The experience undoubtedly made an enduring impact on him.
Of course, what makes the year 1950 Notably, this event commemorated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of what would become the Lionel Corporation. To mark the occasion, co-founder Joshua Lionel Cowen aimed to introduce a refined iteration of the prewar No. 700E O scale New York Central Hudson. The most effective method for achieving this was through the release of the intricately designed model 773, complemented by the similarly ornate No. 2426W tender.
Unable to purchase this legendary engine when it initially hit the market through Lionel, Walt had to endure numerous years before he could feasibly consider acquiring a 1950 model 773 for his O gauge collection. It wasn’t until he visited the train exhibition hosted by the Eastern Division of the Train Collectors Association in York, Pennsylvania, that he stumbled upon an exceptional condition Hudson and tender still sealed within their original packaging along with the main box.
Walt mentions that what caught his attention first was the sheer size of the 773. Compared to his other O gauge locomotives from the postwar period—such as the Nos. 726 and 736 Berkshires—it towered over them all. 681 Turbine , among others.” The impressive aspects of the 773 model from Walt’s perspective included the valve gear guides on the steam chest and the intricately detailed boiler front along with the trailing truck. It's not surprising that Cowan viewed this locomotive as his favorite.
Walt took his newest acquisition back home with great excitement and got down to greasing and maintaining the 773. He notes, "Taking apart the Hudson for routine upkeep was quite distinct from servicing my Lionel Berkshires from around the same era. Luckily for me, the Lionel Service Manual offered ample details that made the procedure of disassembling and greasing the 773 quite simple." He considers it to be a masterpiece nonetheless.
This is why viewing his 773 model from 1950 pulling a series of postwar Madison heavy-duty passenger cars on his O gauge setup brings back memories for Walt, reminding him of Christmases long ago when he was young. He commends the Lionel Hudson for capturing an era of grand steam engines and a world that seemed simpler compared to our current times.