Question on Kline finish

They offered it in a shinny version and then a matte finish. I don't have any of the matte finish cars, but here is a photo of the shinny version. The matte finish from the photos I have seen is definitely duller. Personally, I don't care for it.

Brian, is spot on here. There is a high shine finish and more matte finish which is painted rather than plated. If we can get some sun here tomorrow I will update this post with photos. 

I personally like having the matte finish cars, am fortunate enough to own both, the matte finish is that not new from factory look, as if they have been in service a couple years. Either way these cars are lovely and either finish is much better in my view than most of most of what else is available, even the "matte" finish has a shine to it. 

I believe the matte finish came first in terms of production, and it appears to be slightly more common than the plated high shine finish, although more common is relative as either can be difficult to track down.

Best,

Jason

I have both versions and Jason is correct....the ATSF single level cars were available first in the silver painted version.  In my opinion, there is a difference of night and day between the two finishes.  The bright finish is highly reflective and is actually a plated polished almost mirror-like finish.  The silver painted cars finish are more like what you would expect if you sprayed the cars with a satin bright aluminum paint.  I personally like the plated finish the best because it reminds me of the way I remember the prototype as far as walking up to it and seeing images being reflected in the stainless steel.

Alan

The above images, shot in bright full sun, are of the two finishes on the same car #1349.

Thanks Jason for the excellent comparison shots. This is the best presentation of the two different finishes I have seen.

Personally, I will take the bright, polished finish any day. As Alan said, this is how I remember these cars as a kid.

Thanks Brian.

It is the first time I've had both finishes together outside in full sun, the difference is much less dramatic with in door lighting than in the light of day.

While I still don't mind the matte finish, you and Alan are correct the bright finish is much closer to the prototype, as they arrived from the factory or during the prime post war passenger service years. I was watching historic film of the early days of Amtrak with mixed railroad units still in service, neither of these finishes are dirty enough to represent those years -- thankfully!

Best,

Jason

Jason - Thank you for taking and posting these pictures.  A picture is definitely worth a thousand words in this case.

Art

Jason....very good comparison.  Like they say...a picture is worth a thousand words!  I am with Brian on this one...

Thanks so much Jason for doing this....hopefully the OP will notice since he was asking for pictures.

Alan

I did notice. Just been busy working so I haven't had a chance to respond. Thank you both for the information and pictures. Looks like i'll have to collect both. 

I've amassed quite a good k line Santa Fe collection. (Their late era stuff). I have the black bonnet F3 ABA unit, which I'm hoping to get in the mail this week to GGG for a PS2 upgrade. I also have the regular warbonnet F3 ABA all powered unit which will be next up for an upgrade. I just acquired the F3 Blue and Silver ABA unit as well as the 3462 Hudson and the 4198 Berk. All also eventually planned for upgrades. 

Let me state for the record these are some super sweet looking and well detailed engines. I'll post pics as the upgrades are finished.

i was working on completing my black bonnet train set (I finally acquirall the last items, now I have all four of each: boxcar, coal hopper, grain hopper, tank car, and the caboose. 

They are really sweet. I also finally finished getting all the Kline 15 inch passenger cars and 16 inch business car. the matte finish looks to be the same as what's on the 15 inchers, so now i know I'm familiar with that one.

left for collecting are the 18 inch and 21 inch cars as well as the 18 inch and 21 inch bilevels. @_@

Do you know if the finishes are different on those?

Last items for me to collect are the Kline F7 ABA, and the black bonnet 18 inch streamline cars. Looks like I have my work cut out for me......

Adam

Adam,

Sounds like you have a great start on a wonderful Santa Fe set! Congratulations! 

The good news is that the ultra rare hi-levels are only in the bright finish, also on the good news side, since Golden Gate Depot is coming out with a set of hi-levels the K-lines have been more available, although the prices have not fallen much, if at all.

if you need any help with the sets or car numbers let me know I have good records on all these as I first put these together car by car and it was a challenge when sometime sellers listed them by car number and sometimes by set.

Best,

Jason