K-Line Berkshire

For 300 bucks I'd say grab it and run, assuming it's in good operating order. The K-Line Lima A-1 demo Berk is a fantastically detailed model. The body casting and detail are basically the same as on the much more expensive Lionel Legacy version. The only major differences are the electronics, the smoke unit, and the motor.

The K-Line unit does have a couple of minor drawbacks. The smoke unit is an old-fashioned "puffer" rather than fan-driven. It still smokes OK for what it is. The motors in the K-Line scale steamers are known to be somewhat underpowered - you don't want to run them with long trains for long periods of time as they will overheat. Again, no big deal if you don't plan to run all day with 40 cars. Keep it down to 15 or so cars and let it rest a while every hour or so and you're fine. 

The sound is good but not outstanding. It's generic big steam, as Lionel only allowed licensees to use generic sound boards. As I recall it's got a pretty nice whistle. 

I have one of those and I plan to keep it. I forget what I paid for it but it was a good deal more than 300 bucks. I'd say it's a huge bargain at 300 and you should jump all over it, assuming it is operationally OK. 

That is a very nice engine at a super price. Grab it.  If you pass on it I would buy it instantly if I knew where.  Seriously, for 300 you can't go wrong. If you buy it the only thing I would recommend is adding a Cruise Commander M. You can get it from Boxcar Bill at a good price.  Easy install and Bill will help you if you get stuck. 

I have 3 k-line scale steam and this is by far the most detailed of them all. The detail on this, to me, is outstanding. It also looks great pulling Polar Express cars. The price is very good for this you won't be sorry. If you decide later you don't like it you would have no problem getting your money back on a resale.

Not sure but believe these came with K-Line Cruise. I think its a great deal as well.

Pete

I will put my money where my mouth is.  Buy the engine, and if you don't like it, I will buy it from you for the $300.  I wanted this one and the green one K-line made before going out of business. Email in profile.

Thanks everyone for the replies. Moed321, the seller at the train show had downloaded the green Boston and Albany scale Berkshire info and had taped it to the box. That is what caught my eye, When we opened the outer cardboard shipping box and then the K-Line box, it was the Lima Demonstrator that was inside. He had two other Legacy K-line engines from that catalog too, one for $325.00 and one for $350.00. I do not remember which they were though. I am meeting him tomorrow to complete the transaction (I did not take $300.00 with me to this particular train show). I could pass on the to him that some may be interested on the forum.

Rick

One person's drawback is what another person likes. It smokes like a postwar American Flyer. I think it's really kind of neat.

I would go for it.

300 bucks!? Grab it. my K-line Berks (both B&A and B&M/ATSF prototypes) are great,

and are just beautiful. I re-lettered two B&A prototype locos (one for a friend and one for me) for the Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia, as that road bought 2 from the B&A(NYC) and used them in the mountains of NE Alabama. There are only a handful of photos of

them lettered for their second owner.

The K-Line smoke is just fine, the sound is just fine, the cruise is just fine, and the "small" motor is totally not a problem - you'll never know it - so long as you stick to a reasonable train length (12-20 plastic cars) such as is common on a home layout.

Funny - the K-line J1 Hudson, which is a well-renowned loco (I love it) has the same

motor, but few complain about it. I guess the 4-6-4's are not asked to pull 50 die-cast

hoppers for 3 hours at a train show. 

The motor should have been bigger, and the chassis/motor layout is odd, but I love

them.

I thought I would give an update and a bit of show and tell on the K-Line Berkshire that started this thread. It appears to be a virgin engine, never run. Even the harness has not been pulled out of the tender and the foam wheel protectors were in place. The box does say that this engine has K-line Cruise Control and surprisingly can run on O-31. It does come with that extra coupler that can be placed in the front.

A bit odd is that the box catalog number is K3699-0001CC, but the only number that I can find on-line is K3699-0001TC. I am assuming that the difference between CC and TC is as insignificant as it seems. 

Here is a picture fresh out of the box and onto my kitchen table:

It was interesting reading up on the history of this engine and a great deal for $300.00??

Rick

Congratulations Rick!

It looks great! A good deal on an excellent find! I think you will enjoy it. A lot!