I'm just guessing, but they did have 4 traction tires.

Steve

Truck mounted horizontal can motors .  At power up, they start at flank speed.  If you can live with that, they are ok. 

Marty:  We're talking about trains, not boats, right?  Really, no low speed operation achievable?

It'll go slow, just makes a lot of "noise" when it does. It possibly has the series/parallel switch to the motors, also.

If it has the series/parallel switch, it will slow down reasonably well. And if not, it's easy enough to rewire the motors in series, with or without a switch.

Note that these are very cheaply made, they were the low-ball entry level locomotive.  K-Line's Quadra-Grip was their idea of putting two traction tires on one side of a truck, then the other two on the other side of the other truck.  IMO it was a lousy arrangement.  If you're paying more than $50 or so for this, think twice.

Thanks John.  Great advice, just what I needed to make my decision.  I'll start looking for another Southern diesel.  

Actually, they only put the Quadra-grip on one side. There was only one truck, used twice, one faced forward, one backwards.

I bought an f3 this winter with this arrangement and finally wired in a series. It still is an awful running engine. Pretty shell but that is all. I got an education that day. Never will buy another one.

It all depends on what you are looking for in a loco and what you are used to running. No, these do not compare to some of the newer locomotives in the market. But you also pay more.

These engines ABSOLUTELY will run SLOW and will also start slow. It all depends on the power you are putting to the track. Most postwar Lionel transformers with the 6-7 volt minimum to the track will cause these to start fast. The Lionel 1033 with the B-U setting will start these locos off slowly as will most modern transformers.

You can also get these locos to run a little more quietly (the "growl" noise) but removing two of the traction tires.

As far as reliabilty, I've got some that are 20+ years old with orignal parts. I've only had to replace one motor in all my K-Line locos of this type. And never had to return not even one for being defective.

For the money, (depending on your demands) these are fine locos. You can certainly do better feature-wise, but you will certainly pay more too.

Since they end up on opposite sides, the effect is as I stated.

Actually they were alternated.  Each axle had one traction tire wheel per side at opposite corners.  So Each truck had 2 traction tires one per side.  Both trucks where motor driven.

Given that these were Starter set engine that should factor in, but they are great runners and had more features than Lionel's equivalent (some which only still use one motor).

The K-Line AEC switcher is an example.   G

And if I might add another way besides two tires on the same side of the truck.

  Two tires are mounted diagonally on each truck. I have two MP 15's, they run good for entry level engines. The better runner will have diecast truck frames.

Bill

Bill, Not only are the diagonally on each truck, but they are "opposite corners" too... I imagine a picture will be required soon.  G

You only got what you paid for.  Today we have so many great choices available, why buy something like that. I purchased one back in the day and the only positive thing I can say about operation is that they were very fast. 

I have had one for several years and am very happy with it.  These were designed as a traditional size locomotive.  I pull mostly MPC and modern plastic truck cars with fast angle wheels without any problems in trains 10-12 cars long.  So as long as you don't ask them to pull stumps, I think they run fine and can be a good value.  Like everything in this hobby, they have their place.

I seem to remember it would pull well.  I could not live with the instant speed.

Those K-Line MP-15s have never been my cup of tea.  Just not worth the effort or money to buy them.  IMO.  

Bob,

There is a train shop, in NY, that was selling matching sets of Kline, MP-15, and

Passenger sets, ( 6) cars, called streamliners. He was selling the M-15 for 80$,

and the cars for 80 as well.  The colors are pretty,  but I pulled it from the box,

whooaa Nellie.  Thank gosh, When I got it gone finally on the auction site,  I made up my money, the way I shipped it >>>>>>>>>  OUT OF HERE !!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh, it was a Santa Fe, set.   --   **  I just read your opening statement , USED, ugh