Reading RR Fans - Crusader

Hi Glen,

I don't think it is from the Crusader. I attached this link for your use:
http://www.readingrailroad.org...humbs.html#passenger This site will get you to see the Reading Technical Historical Society collection. K-line made this train set for Boscov's Department Store. It was a really nice set and it's on my list to find one some day.

Enjoy.

Jim

Thanks for the info Jimmy, it was most likely the Amtrak car that caught my eye - going by at 45-50 mph.

I purchased the Weaver Crusader set when it first came out and run it when Reading fans visit the layout.

I've bookmarked the Reading T&HS site for future reference.

Thanks,

glen.

I was at the Strasburg PRR Museum about 6 weeks ago, and did not see the obs. car in the yard. I assumed it was being fixed up (the interior was in bad shape), but it may have been moved to where you saw it.

quote:

Originally posted by JimmyG:
Hi Glen,

I don't think it is from the Crusader. I attached this link for your use:
http://www.readingrailroad.org...humbs.html#passenger This site will get you to see the Reading Technical Historical Society collection. K-line made this train set for Boscov's Department Store. It was a really nice set and it's on my list to find one some day.

Enjoy.

Jim

Jim, Are you a member of the society. I'm thinking about joining early next year, as I grew up along one of the lines in early 70's and also model the Reading.

Weaver also did a great model of the Crusader. As a brass model it is more expensive and does require larger curves. They also did a great job with the cars. I don't remember, did K-Line model two observation cars in the set?

Jim

I think it was one of the best streamliners made as far as looks go. I would love someone to do a scale one and with a command control system, I actually seen one was I was a pup, very nice train set.

I thought K-Line did a scale Crusader for a department store chain back a few years ago. Or am I just dreaming!!! I have the MTH RK with K-Line 15 inch cars....one of my favs!

The Crusader done for Boscov's was a semi-scale set with a Crusader shrouded pacific. The tender had the correct concave rear to accept the observation car. It included 5 15" extruded aluminum cars with two observations.

At one point the complete sets were available for $249 on clearance at certain stores. I can't remember the actual MSRP but is was significantly more than that which is probably why they didn't sell too well.

It is an extremely nice set for what it is.

Fred

I didn't think the K-Line set ever went that low. The original MSRP was $999.99. Blow-out was $500.00. There was a dealer who was selling the left-over cars for $75/each or complete set for $250.00. Current going price is betwen $500 - $1000.00 for the complete boxed set depending on condition.

quote:

I didn't think the K-Line set ever went that low.

Had something to do with it already being "marked down" to $500 and then there was some other Boscov's promotion or sale that took it down another 50%. There was a fellow that posted here years ago who indicated that is how he got his set for $249.

Fred

Hi Jd-train,

I was a member several years ago, but I have little time. They have a good society and I would tell you to join if you have time. They have a lot of good info to help with your layout too. I only wish they had more for O gage however. They put up a great HO layout. Enjoy.

Jim

It's too bad that no Reading Pacific was saved from the torch. I would like to see MTH come out with the Aerotrain decorated for the Reading Crusader. Green window striping instead of red and Crusader on the front. I know it's not prototypical but if the Reading did have a Aerotrain it probably been for the Crusader. Also I'm planning to have a BL-2 repainted in Reading Green and yellow scheme.

The k-line Crusader is also one of my favorite bought at full price but got a half price refund later . Has anyone upgraded to command control and what would be the best way ?

About 20 of these sets were equipped with Command Control and Railsounds by K-line a a year or two later. They had some in reserve so some indeed were not conventional.

Hey JD-Train I'm a member of most of the pre CONRAIL societies and the Reading Company T&HS has a great publication the "Bee Line" and a frequent flyer called the Crusader. IMHO well worth the price of membership!

 

SAM

I had Eric Hofberg upgrade my Crusader to PS2. It's grreat!

I was on the Crusader, as a child, in 1946.  So, when Weaver marketed one, I had to have it.  It is a superb rendering of the prototype from front to back or back to front, considering the dual observation arrangement.  The exterior design of the cars is extraordinary.  Sure wish the interiors were finished with seating and figures. But remember, the Weaver model is more than a decade old.  Incidentally, a hallmark of the real thing was the very heavily tinted windows, quite unusual for its time and a design element that, for some reason, made an impression on me when so young. The only design inadequacy is the lack of detail on the back of the tender, under the shroud.  Interestingly, the K-Line Crusader highlights that area with superb detail.  The K-line version of the locomotive and tender is very well done, but not as accurate, from a scale standpoint. The cars are way off.  There are a number of books with excellent photos of the real thing, so it is relatively easy to study the model juxtaposed to the prototype.   My Weaver Crusader runs beautifully. I had QSI 3000 installed shortly after I got it and, though it is a conventional system, it operates flawlessly, via my CAB 1. The loco has a BCR and the QSI 3000 system behaves smoothly on startup (no having to go through ponderous re-set), and I can access the many operational features common with the QSI design, ie. uncoupling, coupler slack, braking, passenger announcements, etc. from my CAB 1.  The only negative with the PA feature is that the announcer does not name or call out destinations for the Crusader.  Being very close to scale in every respect, the train needs wide radius track, at least O54 and better yet, O72 to operate effectively. 

Too bad there weren't to many tourist lines in the 50s. Today it would probably gone to St Louis or Scranton since it was the last Pacific built. I have the K-Line and MTH Railking Crusader sets as well as a Premiere Camelback with a set of Railking 60 foot Madisons behind it. I also have a Lionel Reading T-1 pulling a string of 14 Premeire Reading hoppers. I'm watching ebay for a Weaver G-1 or hoping for MTH to come out with one in there Premiere line.