K-Line Hudson

Though it was cataloged, I've heard conflicting reports on whether or not they ever actually came from the factory with cruise. The standard option was to buy it from them separately for user installation.

As far as values go, the TMCC models are currently going for between $400 and $600, depending on how badly someone wants it. There was a recent surge in values with all the attention the K-Line vs. Lionel Hudsons debate got on this forum a while back, but I think they've gone back to the normal range. I acquired my TMCC 5343 for $400 a few months ago, and an extremely tempting TMCC 5344 sat on eBay for a surprising amount of time at $500 "Buy it Now" before someone pulled the trigger.

Nick, John Thanks.

Doug

I have 5343 I'll let go for 475$ plus shipping.

The "W" conventional and "S" TMCC models come up for sale fairly equally, with 5343 being more common than 5344, as people seem to be holding on to the more famous road number. I have never seen a genuine "CC" model, though I recall one member here, can't remember who, claiming he had one. Would be nice to see a picture of the item number on the box.

I've never done it myself, but I have heard many people say installing the ERR kit is pretty straightforward.

A side note, the ERR kit is what the majority here seem to advise over the factory K-Line kit. Many have claimed the factory kit is merely a copy of Lionel's obsolete Odyssey I and some have even claimed it ruined their motors.

The factory K-Line cruise is jerky and rough. A cruise "M" from Electric railroad works great. I have done many of them.

I got the K-Line  Hudson with conventional control #5344. I don't recommend ERR for conversion but upgrade it to proto 2. Much smoother, better smoke and better sound.

Just my opinions,

Dave

It's a mixed bag really.  Some of the K-Line factory cruise locomotives run well, others not so well.  I've never been able to figure out why.  I have a couple that run quite smoothly, and I have two that I have put the Cruise Commander M into for proper operation.

Piece of cake to install the Cruise Commander M, BTW.

There were at least three versions of the K-Line cruise boards, and they improved a lot from version to version. The last one is the one to get, but the second to last is said not to be too bad. I have a couple of the kits for that version, haven't gotten around to trying one out yet. I may just resell them since they are nominally for the Hudson and I have a bunch of Mikados and Berkshires, but no Hudson. 

The hudson cruise board fits in the Mikado as well. I have a ver 3 in a Mikado and it works fine. I would think it would fit in a scale berk as well but I thought all the scale berks came with cruise from the factory.

Pete

I have the Hudson and only ran it once around the Christmas tree. I bought it just because it's so great looking. Don't care how it runs. I paid $400 for it a few years ago. I also have two cruise kits for Mikado's but their still in the box. If anyone wants to buy them I'll let them go. Don

I have the K-Line Mikado converted to PS/2 with the MTH smoke unit, it is indeed a nice locomotive.  OTOH, I have no problem with the TMCC versions as long as they have fan driven smoke units.