K Line Scale 1/48 Berkshire #7050 thoughts?

I acquired the St Fe Berk in Command version, and really like it.  The detailing is great, it pulls like a draft horse, and one of my favorites.  Do not know about the conventional Berks, but mine did have it's problems after a couple years of running, but that was in the electronics for Command and Cruise.  A purchase from ERR and new can motor update, now have run with no problem for over four years.  But, cannot say enough how I like the way it looks, and performs.

Jesse       TCA

Your not going to find a nicer detailed engine for that price. I have 2 of the command versions with TMCC. Very smooth runners. One driver board went bad but you can drop an ERR board right in. I'm assuming this engine doesn't have command at that price. The command versions fetch between 4 and 450.  The Lionel Legacy versions go for around a grand. Nicer but not that much nicer for the price difference. Can't say for sure. But chances are if you need parts. Many are probably the same. You may be limited to 12 to 14 car trains. Still sounds like a good deal.

I was impressed enough to two-rail one, including putting the motor in the firebox and creating a round boiler belly.  Not at all sure it is full scale; all my other locomotives look larger in comparison.  It does match Cyclopedia drawings.  It is a well-detailed model.

"Not at all sure it is full scale; all my other locomotives look larger in comparison.  It does match Cyclopedia drawings.  It is a well-detailed model."

Well, then it is 1:48, as the Cyclopedia drawings aren't wrong.

They are full scale, criso detailing. The prototypes were not as large as some later Berks. The small motor is fine if you don't run exceptionally heavy/long trains. I ran one of mine on a former club layout for an hour+ with a 12-15 car train and the motor was a bit warm, but that's all.

Great locos (the B&A prototype version is, too). These must have come from the same tool-and-die source as the K-line J1 NYC Hudson, generally considered the best-looking 3-rail J1 around. 

Well I went ahead and bought it. It does say 1/48 scale on the box. Found out it does have an ERR installed command system but the smoke doesn't work, he only runs conventional. So maybe I'll try resets when it comes or I'll probable replace that. Since smoke didn't work, he said he would drop the price to 175.00.

What a steal. Wow. Either the smoke unit works or it does not. Check the resistor  in it fisrt it may be bad. Or you may have it not hooked up to the err board by the previous installer. Should be an easy fix either way. I have the kline cruise version and it looks great. Glad I got it. 

Not all Cyclopedia drawings are correct.  USH copied a Cyclopedia drawing and the result was the most inaccurate scale K4 ever.

Some manufacturer drawings are inaccurate as well - many Alco PA models have been produced that match the drawings but do not match existing photos.

Coincidentally, I have been admiring the scale berks with the elesco feed water heaters. The otherwise handsome proportions and design elements are even more so with the placement of the heater atop the front of the boiler.  I will keep looking but the price would have to really be sweet to buy one. I have all the locos I need, but not all the locos I want. Nice catch Josef.

I have three of them and love them. All are TMCC engines. There is a switch under the engine for the smoke unit. Maybe it's in the off position. All K-line steamers have little smoke anyway. Take a look at mine, they really run slow and can pull a lot of cars. It's the last train on the video. Don

Seriously??? You need reassuring on why to buy at this price point??? If I were you I'd leave the hobby. I mean "C'mon man!!".......it's  $200 we're talking about.

-Greg