Some words about K-line engines

K line detail is/was first rate, as far as the low price, I'm guessing this played a rather big factor in their demise.

 

The only drawback is the small can motors offered in many of the k line steamers, they  aren't as good as the large Pittman or Canon motors offered by MTH and Lionel.

 

FWIW Lionel has aquired a good deal of the k line tooling and has been reproducing their offerings over the last couple of years. The latest lionel legacy berkshires, k-4 mikados and shays are all from k line tooling. I've also noticed the lionel vision line hudsons have "k line tooled" drivers, I suspect Lionel may have the k line hudson tooling as well.

K-Line had some rather unigue engines during their time. They had a three unit set of powered diesels, an A-B-A and all units had power, so you had a six motor set of diesels with one circuit board that operated all three engines at once, and had an electrical tether between the A & B units.

Don't know for sure who got the K-Line steam engines or diesel engines, but I think that Lionel may have aquired them.

 

Other K-Line products went to RMT and Bachmann/Williams. The switches and snap track went to RMT, the Super Street items went to Bachmann/Williams.

 

Lee Fritz

K-Line only made a few items in my primary road (Chessie), but I have them all and they're great runners--the GP38 is particularly outstanding. Their take on Chessie blue is way off and stands out badly next to my Lionels, but those cosmetic issues aside, they're great!

If I remember correctly,  K-Line got into trouble with Lionel about their cruse control which was too close the Lionel`s speed controlling system, and they were forced out of business.

All of my K-line locomotives have been trouble free and reliable, and they all had great detail. I wish they were still going strong.

The tank engine and semi scale Hudson were the two K-Line locos I always had an interest in.

I love my K-Line tank engine, it's a great looking piece.  I really miss those guys.

Mine is the CNJ model, I bought it in the forum here for $250, which I thought was a good price.  Yes, I believe most of them, had TMCC with cruise.  Of course, they run conventional, so that shouldn't have stopped you from bidding.

I bought my first K-line steam engine when they came out with the scale Hudson. Not to run but just for show. It sits on a self. It's so much better than my old Lionel 773. I started really buying them when they went out of business. $400 for a Berkshire with TMCC and Cruise. I have nine of them now and all run the same as the day I bought them.   

Don

If I am correct the item was a transformer or something to do with a transformer patent or copyrights. Not the speed control stuff.

 

I too wish that K-Line was still around, so they could give the big boys a run for their money. M & L

 

Lee Fritz

I think one thing rings true...we all miss K-Line and can only wonder what they would be making today if still around. They made some really beautiful engines for sure.  I often wonder where the guys who designed / built those great molds ended up working. K-Line had to have a group of very talented people to market and make the things they did. Great stuff indeed. 

I just got my first K-Line a few days ago.  It's the Greenport Scoot set.  The MP-15 diesel is missing its tires.

 

Where can I get tires for this engine ?     Any advise would be appreciated.

 

Doug 

WEAVER TRAINS sell rubber tires for both steam and diesel engines.

I would call them and provide the diameter of the MP 15 wheels.

They may have a tire to fit and usually you get to the right person with one phone call.

 

http://www.weavermodels.com/page24.html

This is the go to guy for K Line parts:

 

http://www.traindoctor.com/service/kline/kline.php

Maury was under tremendous financial stress.  Too many items, not enough dealers and way too low price structure.

 

The patent case gave him an out, but Lionel settled amicably.  Maury had to try something else so he went on-line and spouted off about 'victory'.  Lionel leadership was offended and took the deal off the table.

 

Maury got out from under his debt--and out of the train business.

That would explain why the K-Line locomotives were such a good deal.

Thanks for the info, I'll give them a try.  I'll have to measure the wheels first.

 

Doug

I would prefer that they upped their prices and remained in business. They were my favorite at the time right before the lawsuit. It is really a shame. The O gauge community lost a real Gem in K-Line.

I like my set off K-Line B&O Capitol Limited cars. They're a great looking set.

I miss K-line quite a bit; they had a different take on things.

 

I enjoyed their keeping some Marx and Kusan tooling active.

 

For those unfamiliar with K-line, I must say that K-line, like Lionel, made a wide

variety of product, from the cheesy - like the MP15 - to the sublime - Hudsons,

4-6-6's, Berks...green NYC E8's...good cruise control...to the cute - ex-Marx 3/16"

Pacifics...so one man's view of K-line may not be another's...