The two projects are NOT the same, and shouldn't be made to compete in any sense.

3001 is its own project, and is of course a restoration rather than replication; not only is far less work required, but much of it would directly benefit a subsequent Hudson project, both in terms of replicating components and training a cadre of people with experience for the follow-on effort.

Do not let the 'best' become the enemy of the 'good' here. We should have both, whether or not either actually turns a wheel in excursion service.

Pretty simple, actually:

There no NYC 4-6-4s or 4-8-4s preserved because:

1. All were scrapped.

2. There seem to be no written records of offers to donate one of either type.

3. There seem to be no written records of any formal request for a sale or a donation of either type by any entity that would have been capable of doing that, or that WANTED to do that AT THE TIME. Remember, this was 60+ years ago. The showcase museums of today either did not exist or were in their infancy and just barely getting by at that time.

4. It seems to boil down to anecdotes, "I heard....", wishful thinking, misplaced anger, and Lord only knows what else why, but spitting on Perlman's grave or crying in our beer about it in 2017 or 2018 or agonizing over who did or didn't do what isn't going to bring one back.

Your mileage may vary.

Leave it to a "Realist" to boil it down succinctly for us...

The only other possibility of preservation was in the form of the two that were acquired second hand by the TH&B railroad, becoming their 501 and 502. Alas TH&B never saved any big steam (they had the two Hudsons for passenger power and Canada's only Berkshires #201&202). Although the TH&B saved two engines, both were 2-8-0s.
The Hudsons went for scrap in 1955, but one of the tenders escaped scrapping and was
turned into a steam heating car. The ex-Hudson tender is now at Steamtown if anyone wants to build the engine to go with it.

Going from memory, I seem to recall that the two TH&B Hudson's were ex-New York Central numbers 5211 and 5213. May very well have those numbers wrong and correction welcome.


Les

Hi All
Les, you were just one number off, the correct numbers were 5311 & 5313, instead of 5211 & 5213. Pat

I'm certain this thread is not yet dead, but the purpose was to parse out as much of the stories and lore regarding the complete eradication of NYC Hudson (and Niagara's). I think we've determined that there remains zero - zilch- sip evidence regarding why at least one wasn't preserved. It's quite likely an unknown that will disappear down a rabbit hole and never be conclusively answered.
Some Hudsons were saved, just not the most famous, nor iconic.
Thank you all, for not making this a battle ground over "who knows what".
I, for one, think it has been a productive discussion.

-Dick