Broadway Limited 2841 HO Scale, Commodore Vanderbilt Hudson, New York Central #5344, Disk Drivers & Smoke (Paragon4 Sound/DC/DCC)

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 outwei