The New York Central introduced the 4-6-4 or Hudson type in 1927. It quickly became the railroad's "trademark" locomotive, heading the best and fastest trains throughout the system. The Central's Hudsons were the prototype for countless model trains that delighted boys — and men — across the continent. These engines regularly handled heavy main line limiteds at speeds of more than 90 miles per hour on level track. It was a sad sight, then to see these fine locomotives consigned to the scrap yard in steam's final years. Here, Hudson No. 5314 of class J1d rests in the dead line at the Detroit engine terminal in my photo taken in March 1954. Of the 275 Hudsons owned by the New York Central System, not one example was spared the salvager's torch.