K-line 4-6-6T

windycitysaint posted:

does anyone have these engines?  I’ve been looking for the Illinois Central. 

I've had two, one NYC and another Boston & Albany, and both were excellent runners. By the way, the correct wheel arrangement of those K-Line models, was 4-6-6T.

I have one. Excellent models and runners and very sure-footed - electrically, too - over switches and the like. Would make a great switcher with the addition of a functioning "front" (it was designed to comfortably run either way) Hi-Rail coupler.

The model is accurate only for the NYC-owned Boston and Albany, though K-Line offered it in a few road names, including the surprising TCI&RRCo (Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad Company), which did have some "similar" commuter tank engines in service between Birmingham (Alabama) and some suburbs.

The B&A 4-6-6 of course looked like a bizarre (in a good way) small NYC Hudson coal-burning "cab-forward" when running bunker-first.

Any pictures?  Is the IC version hard to find?

They were beautiful engines and so is the K-Line model. Good luck finding one.

MELGAR

D500 posted:

The model is accurate only for the NYC-owned Boston and Albany.

B&A #402 became New York Central #1297 in 1951. K-Line's NYC model is #1295.

MELGAR

Question:

Railsounds 4 in these.  I have one and wondered what RAILSOUNDS 5 Board could one use to replace the existing one for better sounds.

Close enough would be fine with me.

Thanks

Dave

I have seen a few Road names come up for sale but no Illinois Central. I am sure they are out there somewhere...

I have the NYC version as I preferred the mostly black paint work with out the white trim...

Tom

Here are the 4-6-6T models that K-line released:

From LegacyKline.com
Bob

I have two, a new Reading one I just got at York, and the CNJ that I've had for a few years.  The reading has just been tested on my bench as I don't have the layout right now, that's coming soon.

The only caveat I have on these is they use the K-Line cruise module, and a number of people have had to replace the cruise with the ERR cruise when it failed.  That also requires you to generate a chuff signal as the chuff is generated by the K-Line cruise module.  To further complicate things, you also have to deal with getting the smoke unit chuffing again as it's fan is also driven by the K-Line cruise module.  My CNJ has the ERR cruise as the original K-Line cruise module failed.

I admired these when they came out, as interesting and different, but got interested when l read some of these commuter engines went to logging and mining roads, when cities chased their smoke out.  However, l have never seen a picture of one in that service?

Cool engines. They seem to go for some decent coin, too.

I got the Reading NIB at York for $400 this fall, I thought that was decent.  I see the same engine NIB for $500 mail-order, but then there's shipping, etc...  Don't remember what I paid for the CNJ.

Any help locating an Illinois Central would be helpful. Thank you. 

windycitysaint posted:

Any help locating an Illinois Central would be helpful. Thank you. 

I suspect the IC ones are like hen's teeth. I would consider getting another road name and some decals and relettering it. Western Deport has a number of new ones in stock. Eastern Depot had a few at April York at blow out prices. You could give them a call but I suspect they are sold out by now.

Pete

I bought the last one they had at York for $400.  She did mention they had more back at the shop, so a call to Eastern Depot may yield a cheaper price than you get at Western Depot.  I actually had asked WD if they'd consider less, and they said no.

I have the TMCC philadelphia and reading 4-6-6-t #381. I bought it at my first york back in 2015. Very to hard to find model as I would never give mine up. 

windycitysaint posted:

Any help locating an Illinois Central would be helpful. Thank you. 

Eastern Depot is showing the IC.

I always wanted one. Then a friend asked me to repair his. Once I opened it up, my interest faded quickly. They look nice, but inside? - oh brother!

Roy, open up the early Legacy Atlantic with whistle smoke, you'll think the K-Line Tank Engine is positively spacious inside!

The Western Depot has been sitting on those at the same price for a long time.  I thought the owners of Eastern Depot were looking to retire so they may have more interest in liquidating stock as opposed to maximizing profit.

Gunrunner, I have the B&A conventional model.  It always starts in cruise, but occasionally "pops out" of cruise.  When that happens,  the sounds shut off and the engine speeds up a lot.  It continues to smoke.

If I turn off the cruise, it runs fine, but doesn't smoke due to the reduced voltage required (I think. Cruise requires an additional 5 volts).  Can I use the ERR cruise module in this engine?  Thanks.

John

Steam Crazy posted:

Gunrunner, I have the B&A conventional model.  It always starts in cruise, but occasionally "pops out" of cruise.  When that happens,  the sounds shut off and the engine speeds up a lot.  It continues to smoke.

If I turn off the cruise, it runs fine, but doesn't smoke due to the reduced voltage required (I think. Cruise requires an additional 5 volts).  Can I use the ERR cruise module in this engine?  Thanks.

John

This is one a few engines with K-Line Cruise that also has its chuff signal generated by the Cruise board. If you install an ERR Cruise M you will also have to install a chuff switch of some sort.

Pete

Like pete says.  You need a chuff switch, and in addition, you will lose the chuffing smoke unless you deal with that.

Just put in my order. Thank you. 

Guys, the smoke unit on my engine runs continuously, it doesn't puff in synch with the chuff.  I'm guessing it runs independently of the cruise unit.  Does that sound right to you?  I'd be satisfied if new cruise and chuff units solved my problem.  I'm a conventional operator, so the expense of a PS3 or TMCC upgrade doesn't make sense for me.

That's a bit odd, the factory wiring used the cruise module.

It might be cheaper to run without cruise and just use some diode pairs to drop the motor voltage.  This will boost the power to the smoke unit and allow you to have smoke.  You can also swap out the 27 ohm resistor for something in the 20-22 ohm range, that will also increase the smoke.

I bought this engine at a very good price from a friend.  I believe he swapped out the smoke unit when he owned it.  That could explain the wiring discrepancy.

Your solution sounds great to me.  The engine runs rather erratic even when the cruise is engaged, so I wouldn't miss it.  Thanks!

John

Just got it today. 

Looks great! Congratulations on your search and acquisition! 

Tom

I have the NYC and the B&A and I love them both! Happy you found the ICRR.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

I have two, a new Reading one I just got at York, and the CNJ that I've had for a few years.  The reading has just been tested on my bench as I don't have the layout right now, that's coming soon.

The only caveat I have on these is they use the K-Line cruise module, and a number of people have had to replace the cruise with the ERR cruise when it failed.  That also requires you to generate a chuff signal as the chuff is generated by the K-Line cruise module.  To further complicate things, you also have to deal with getting the smoke unit chuffing again as it's fan is also driven by the K-Line cruise module.  My CNJ has the ERR cruise as the original K-Line cruise module failed.

If they are selling a 4-6-6T as CNJ of IC, it's wrong.  CNJ ahd a 4-6-4T and IC had a 2-6-4T.

The CNJ and IC engines may not have the exact wheel arrangement of the prototypes, but it's close enough for me if they look good and are fun to run.  I bet lots of Forum members feel the same.

Steam Crazy posted:

The CNJ and IC engines may not have the exact wheel arrangement of the prototypes, but it's close enough for me if they look good and are fun to run.  I bet lots of Forum members feel the same.

Maybe so, but it's not even close to the IC 2-6-4T's:

Rusty

There is a lot of "Artistic License" in O scale. If you are not modeling a scale, prototypical railroad, anything goes. I personally prefer more realistic, historically correct models, or as close as I can get them, but...

The fact that these 4-6-6 locomotives are B&A designs with different railroad names on them really isn't an issue for the buyer. They are in the hobby for enjoyment. The path to that enjoyment is up to each individual. I find that questioning other people's likes isn't my thing. It is just personal preference.

99% of model railroads go in complete circles, when most real railroads do not. 

If we can accept that, then we can live with non-prototype locomotives that are out there...

Tom

Windycitysaint,

    Does the engine run ok and what did they hit you up for shipping?  Thinking of getting one for Xmas,  Missed out on them back in the day, and K-line are some of my best runners from the time frame.

Krieglok posted:

There is a lot of "Artistic License" in O scale. If you are not modeling a scale, prototypical railroad, anything goes. I personally prefer more realistic, historically correct models, or as close as I can get them, but...

The fact that these 4-6-6 locomotives are B&A designs with different railroad names on them really isn't an issue for the buyer. They are in the hobby for enjoyment. The path to that enjoyment is up to each individual. I find that questioning other people's likes isn't my thing. It is just personal preference.

99% of model railroads go in complete circles, when most real railroads do not. 

If we can accept that, then we can live with non-prototype locomotives that are out there...

Tom

Well I'd like to see more basic honesty in this game.  I think a lot of people are unwittingly buying what they think are models of actual ocomotives when they are not.

Of course these motive power variations are not nearly as bad as what goes on with passenger cars.  There's nothing more annoying than a PRR or NYC dome car.

I don't think it has anything to do with honesty, but everything to do with keeping tooling costs down to make the cost of the product reasonable.  That's why we see the same models produced for various roads, even though some may not be prototypical.

I also believe the number of people in our hobby that insist on absolute scale fidelity is low.  Most of us, even hi-railers, make compromises to suit our taste and budget.   It's what you enjoy that counts, whether you're a purist or tinplate fan.  That's why this is such a great hobby!

Reading RR posted:

Windycitysaint,

    Does the engine run ok and what did they hit you up for shipping?  Thinking of getting one for Xmas,  Missed out on them back in the day, and K-line are some of my best runners from the time frame.

I have not ran it yet. I bout it from eastern Depot for $400 plus $23 shipping. It was brand new. They are going out of business. 

mlaughlinnyc posted:

Krieglok posted:

There is a lot of "Artistic License" in O scale. If you are not modeling a scale, prototypical railroad, anything goes. I personally prefer more realistic, historically correct models, or as close as I can get them, but...

The fact that these 4-6-6 locomotives are B&A designs with different railroad names on them really isn't an issue for the buyer. They are in the hobby for enjoyment. The path to that enjoyment is up to each individual. I find that questioning other people's likes isn't my thing. It is just personal preference.

99% of model railroads go in complete circles, when most real railroads do not. 

If we can accept that, then we can live with non-prototype locomotives that are out there...

Tom

Well I'd like to see more basic honesty in this game.  I think a lot of people are unwittingly buying what they think are models of actual ocomotives when they are not.

Of course these motive power variations are not nearly as bad as what goes on with passenger cars.  There's nothing more annoying than a PRR or NYC dome car.

 

I see your point. I know the NYC and PRR didn't have dome cars, so I make sure I don't buy them. We do, however accept the detail differences in, let's say, a PRR baggage car and CNJ baggage car. The Madison cars produced by MTH are close but not exacting to the prototype Road they emulate. But I will buy them because they are a good representation of my interests.

I see it has a hobby with many levels of preference. Some people just like trains. Some like realism. The grey area in between is for each individual to decide upon. 

If one tends to levitate toward the more prototypical side, like you and me, we will find the time to research our interests and make our purchases based on that. 

Some people don't look to go that route. They like what they like. I don't have a problem with that. I don't think it is dishonest to sell a non prototypical train. They sell what people like. If they have the desire to get deeper into the realistic side of trains, it is their choice.

Now, in the spirit of the thread....

Windycitysaint, you got a great deal on your tank engine. I paid a bit more for mine, but I like it just the same. I had some slight issues with the speed settings on the TMCC, but I found that some K-Line products are slow starting out, then get up to speed. Something to do with the speed steps in the software...

Tom