Pennsy K-4's?

Jim, the one you have is the Legacy model made using the old K-Line molds.  It is a really good scale model of a K4s.  The #38044 is a TMCC model that Lionel made about 10 or 12 years ago from their own molds.  It is NOT a good scale model.  The worst problems are that the firebox is 3/8" (a scale foot and a half) too long and the trailing truck is too small.  The locomotive really looks funny with a too big firebox sitting above a too small trailing truck.

Since your Legacy locomotive has 200 speed steps and the 38044 has 32 speed steps, you wouldn't be able to double-head them.

Cowcatcher is different the 38044 has the prewar k4 look. The other big difference is price you'll be able to get your hands on a tmcc 38044 or 38025 for around the $400-500 range. I doubt you'd want the 38025 as it also has the 1361 cab number. I have both cab number tmcc k4's and both have been very dependable runners. They are also a lot easier to find than the legacy versions you will probably run across a half dozen original prewar 700e's before you run into a prr legacy k4 for sale.  There was a bunch of the polar railroad and Tuscan red legacy k4's being offered for blowout prices but the black prr ones are very very scarce, I know I am on the hunt for one myself. 

"There was a bunch of the polar railroad and Tuscan red legacy k4's being offered for blowout prices but the black prr ones are very very scarce"

If I could find the garishly painted K4 at a blowout price, I'd buy, strip, and repaint!

BTW: how much is a blowout price?

$509 from Charles Ro: Polar RR K4

Lionel could make these again, along with the 2-10-4's in PRR and probably sell quite a few. I would be in for both.

A Legacy K4 just sold on the bay for an even grand.

Jim,

    I left a reply on your "wanted to buy" post about my hunt for a Post War Legacy K4. After about 6 months of searching the Internet Alex M. recommended buying the Polar RR K4 and painting it to PRR colors. I did, had Harry Hieke paint it for me. Turned out great. Ran it at our open house (BDSME in Bethlehem Pa) pulling a ten car train of express refers, express boxcars and PRR coaches. Ten cars in total. This year I purchased a #1330 K4 on the forum and will be running them both beginning the weekend of 1/9 & 10. Plus added two more Weaver Baggage cars and another MTH express refer. I will post a video after that weekend.

JohnB

I also can recommend forum sponsor Harry Hieke.  I purchased a Legacy Polar K4 on clearance and Harry detailed it for me.  His work was top notch and now I have a super detailed and weathered Pennsy K4 and my total cost was less than what I would have paid for a new one.

Bob posted:

Jim, the one you have is the Legacy model made using the old K-Line molds.  It is a really good scale model of a K4s.  The #38044 is a TMCC model that Lionel made about 10 or 12 years ago from their own molds.  It is NOT a good scale model.  The worst problems are that the firebox is 3/8" (a scale foot and a half) too long and the trailing truck is too small.  The locomotive really looks funny with a too big firebox sitting above a too small trailing truck.

Since your Legacy locomotive has 200 speed steps and the 38044 has 32 speed steps, you wouldn't be able to double-head them.

In addition to what Bob noted: it also was criticized  for two chuffs per revolution, though some corrected this.   Others corrected the way-too-big hinges on the smoke box door.  One of the first with Odyssey speed control, that I dubbed, "select-a-jerk", you could get used to this with a Cab 1 control.  Also a poor smoker, but that was corrected by some.  Unique feature was may be the first optical tether. There were two models at the time, the other was ??5385??, I think. There was a claw coupler for the front, the two could be double headed.  1361 was significant, on display at Horseshoe Curve,  Altoona,  and then spent time at Steamtown being rebuilt to operational condition, that never happened.  Weaver had also done a K4, brass.