Any experience with K-line MP-15 ? Other Cheap Diesels to consider?

I have one, I haven't run it in a long time. Not because I don't like it, I just have been running other trains. It runs OK, it has a small can motor in each truck.

Don't you hate it when someone doesn't have a answer to your question but replies anyway.

I have one and it's not a great puller. For a bit more, you can pick up a postwar NW-2 style switcher......623, 624 etc. Great engines

Roger

I have a k-line mp15  I added err tmcc to it, did a repaint to csx colors.  runs well  and needs weight to pull better.

Marty

I had one in the LIRR Scoot set. It pulled the 3 13" cars +the non powered alco unit with no problem. It is a very basic switcher though

Thanks folks. I'll give this one a bit more thought before deciding whether to pull the trigger.  I'd probably only be pulling 5 O-27'ish cars, but they might be heavier than normal if I end up doing alot of conversion.    I've been rather inspired by this train with all the extra slabs and chunks of other train cars glued on to each car.

Also, would the  MP-15 handle the O-36 curves that I have?

You can get Williams engines pretty inexpensivly sometimes and they are quite powerful. 

When I was doing more Sci Fi /fantasy stuff I had the idea of powering B units to push unpowered engines around. The B unit could be made to look like a car. It could save you some money and effort. 

B Units!  Now there's a good idea.  Especially if I ended up doing alot of conversion anyway...

I'll look into Williams engines.

would handle 36 curves with ease

My K-Line MP15 looks cool but runs pretty bad, but I only paid like $40 for it so I guess I can't complain!

It has no issues with tight curves for me.  

This RMT S-4 would be one I'd consider hacking away at, runs great but I just don't use it very often, might be something you consider searching for as it was pretty cheap NIB.  
RMT 92315 PRR/Pennsynanaia (yes, they spelled it wrong on the box) #8433 BANG ALCO S-4 Diesel Locomotive

Or along the lines of RMT, get a  beep engine, those are pretty inexpensive and from my experience pretty good pullers. I picked up a used one at a show haggled down to 40. Can even get extra shells for them here and there.

There's Plenty of room to add weight to the MP15 - No single axle drive Lionel NW2 634 is going to be able to out pull it.

I would go with a Williams NW2. Has dual flywheel motors.

RMT bEEP is my choice. They run well and with just 4 wheels are very stable.  The MP-15 runs very fast and I find it noisy. Sits very high too. Get a bEEP or BEEF!!! 

A sci-fy train you say.  A few years ago, I played the computer game, "Siberia".   Great game.  There is a train in it that is futuristic.  Heres a link to a Youtube game walkthrough.  At about 5:10 into the video, you can get an idea of what the train looks like.  There are most likely better images if you search more, but this one was the best I could find just now.

https://youtu.be/szm1rPZa1OI

Recently bought a MP-15. Nice engine for the price. Takes off like a shot with minimal voltage from my KW transformer. Consider putting a string of resistors in it to slow it down. 

I little light over the front truck. It tends to jump the track on a couple of my 5122 switches.

A post war NW-2 from Lionel would probably be better.

I just tested my MP-15 vs one of my PW NW-2s pulling a heavy 14 car consist. They were both able to do it, but.......the MP was at it's limit to start the pull. Wheel slip. One more car and no go. And that's with lead weights glued into the shell and frame.  So, don't write off the Lionel switchers.  I would also agree about the Williams NW-2s. They are beasts, but tend to be way out of that price limit.

Roger

Hello guys and gals.........

Have you guys forgotten about the Railking SW-8, SW-9 , NW-2 and MP1500 models ?   I have a Railking NW-2 and this is the best made switcher I ever had and the worse one made was the postwar lionel # 634 from 1965.   It has a thick die-cast frame little more than 1/8 inch , trucks , sideframes, double motors and well detailed ABS body and the horn ,bell is painted brass lost wax casting.  It is scale in size too.  This engine weighes 4.04 pounds on the electronic scale and is heavier than the postwar NW-2's and the Williams too.   I paid 149 dollars NOS plus shipping, model # 30-2157-1, road # 1039.  It is made in 1999 era. so quality is good those days from Korea.  There is a few in Ebay.   I like the Williams for their postwar "looks" but the Railking takes the cake all the way !!!

"Christ had no sin, but God made him become sin so that in Christ we could be made right with God." 2 Corinthians 5:21 ERV (Easy-to-Read version)

Tiffany