K line scale hudson

I think the amount of detail is a big factor.

Alan

The K-Line scale Hudson possesses the best and most accurate detailing of all the manufacturers' J1e Hudsons. Internally though it is somewhat dated with a puffer unit, no cruise, and wire tether. The other manufacturers have come a long way in these areas, along with better sound. K-Line just still reigns supreme in detail.

I think K-Line is OK, but, in my honest opinion, Lionel Hit A Home Run, With the Visions Hudson's. yes, they are not quite as full of add on details, but with the Swinging Bell, Smoking Whistle, it's a Keeper. The best reason I applaud Lionel is Mike Reagan, Lionel Service. It's simply the best. I feel that being able to have my Lionel Engines fixed is a super advantage.

The problem a lot of scale guys found with the Vision Hudson was while the features were out of this world good, it was still all stuffed under antiquated tooling from 1937. When Lionel releases the K-Line tooling with these features, then that one will truly be the king.

Nick;

You said it for sure!

We can only hope that they do.

I will be lined up to buy at least two if they ever do.

Rod

That will be a wonderful loco for sure.

I have a question guys. 

I start to be very very interested in this K-Line Hudson and I am wondering what is the average price for a used model in good shape?

The vision line hudson had drivers from the K line tooling.........baby steps.....

Funny thing is, the market values seem to actually correlate with how heavily the model is being discussed on this forum. Back when the the Vision Hudson came out and there were many heated discussions on which model was better, the values of the K-Line model were pretty elevated commanding around $550-$650 as people were looking for one after the discussions they read. Then things cooled off and it's back to around $400-$500 but I suspect things will be up again now that there's been a lot of discussion recently.

The cab number also makes a difference. 5344 is generally more scarce and expensive than 5343 since that's the famous number and people are hanging on to it. I got my 5343 from a forum member for $400 like new.

pidjy

Welcome to this wonderful Forum and the world of 3 rail O gauge!

If you put a 'watch' on eBay for a K-Line Hudson you should see one pop up every few weeks or so. They are not at all uncommon.

Most seem to sell for $300 - $500 depending on the model. There are about 4 different K-Line stock numbers which consist of two locomotives numbered 5344 and 5343. Some prefer the 5344 but that number is far more common on everyone's models out there.

The same two locomotives are offered in conventional control w/whistle  and the other with Lionel's TMC and Railsounds. 

Many are picking up the conventional model at a lower price and adding MTH's PS2 system to it. This has the advantage of utilizing the many features that DCS PS2 has including cruise and adjustable chuff rate. Adding a MTH smoke unit will give you the best smoke out there if important.

There is a company called JDS Ltd that does an amazing job with converting these (and other) steamers - they can add extra smoke features that really make a locomotive appear real. They may even have a completed Hudson available for sale from time to time. Not cheap but a good quality piece.

Take your time and you will find a nice one at a good price.

They even look great from the rear.

Another shot of her 'on the fly'

Sam also makes a good point - I forgot that both road numbers came in either conventional or TMCC. My post was only in reference to the TMCC models, the conventional ones will cost less.

There's also a fifth model, 5343 that came with TMCC and K-Line's Cruise control factory-installed. I am not sure if it ever actually got made, because I have never seen one.

The "Vision" J1e is a beautiful loco, but it is still only something of a "model of a model"

(of the 1937 700E), and, even with some flaws, the K-line J1 just feels more like

a J1 than all the others, even though the differences can be small. The K-line tooling

and detailing has a certain "crispness" to it that just makes you want to look at it.

I care little for smoking bells and swinging whistles.

The K-line sound is fair, and I put cruise in mine (kits are still around); the smoke is just fine; the motor is a bit small for some, but has more than enough power for my

RR world. (The front-angled small motor -is- an odd design choice, so far as I can tell.)

Don't mention the "U-shaped boiler casting"; sore point for some (not me).

Thank you very much C.Sam

Indeed it looks fabulous on every angles

Concerning the PS2 upgrade, it's tempting As I run mainly MTH locs... but I have recently discoverd the Sunset Models engines ..  I am new in the O scale hobby so all that appear to be "common" to you all is still Fantastic to me ^^.. like discovering a new Brand... A few weeks ago I only knew Lionel and MTH.

Oh and I have discoverd K-line too as a new and very interesting Brand... and I was really disapointed when I have found out it don't exist no more.

Yes funny thing, one just appear on the "Bay" as this item is discussed here. It's priced 575$  so it's the hi-range price according to you? 

You can have this one for 600$ plus shipping. It has the ERR cruise upgrade

Can ERR do a smoke upgrade as well as a cruise install?

Can ERR also upgrade from 2 chuffs to 4?

Yes 2 or 4 but not sure about the smoke upgrade. Factory smoke works well IMO. 

the coaling tower is golden gate depot

The major dimensions are illustrated in Stauffer's Thorougbreds. Anyone who has the book can check for themselves. I haven't checked any MTH engines yet but the VL Hudson and K-Line Hudson differ from the prototype in a few places by just a few inches. They are all essentially scale size. The perfect Hudson hasn't been made yet. 3rd Rail's are close in detail and some run well also but not all. K-Line's is very fine but any more than 5-6 18" or larger cars will load it down. Lionels and MTHs are the best pullers with the best smoke and sound but you lose some detail. Pick the characteristics that are important to you and go with it.

Pete

MTH take note:  The fact we are discussing older Hudson models means it is about time to come out with a PS3 model.  Here is the MTH Proto 1 version which was ahead of its time then and remains a nice model today!

Thanks for the offer Steve but it seem to be a bit over-priced. As I have to pay a heavy shiping cost and taxes (I live in Europe) I do my best to always find the best price

I can't remember the name of the seller but he is in the Orange Hall at York. I pick up a K-Line engine or two from them each time I go.  I got a NIB PRR Micado with TMCC for $300.00. Last York I got a TMCC Hudson from him for $350.00 NIB. I did buy two other TMCC K-line diesels that day also so that may have helped me get better price. I love K-line die cast cars also.

It amazes me how much new K-line items are for sale everywhere. They have been out of business for 7 years. It's great stuff and sought after. They must have had an incredible amount of inventory when they closed. I just don't understand it.

I bought 2 of the  the K Line 5343 Hudsons. They were both near 600$ the first one was supposed to be new, picture small, from Trainz, but came weathered. I was upset at first, but it grew on me. Excellent weathering job. Then I saw a factory Tank engine, I think, that was  factory weathered on the K Line Legacy site. So...could have been new. Before I got to liking the first one, I bought another new one that was new. Also near 600$

I have a cruise kit, but haven't decided which engine should get it.

There was a discussion a year or so ago where some thought that the K-Line Hudson was smaller than the others as alluded to a post above. I just came across these pics of the MTH Hudson No 5344and the K-Line model No 5343. I could see no discernible difference in size and was surprised at the nice detail on the MTH model - excellent for a 1996 locomotive!

C-Sam, I believe you are correct about it being Vinces's Trains at York.