My intention is not to rain on anyone's parade. I have stated time and time again that Lionel's Vision Line Hudson blows the competition away when it comes to features and operation. However, there are still people that are under the impression that this model is the best out there in scale detailing. It is my goal to inform these people that this is not the case. One of these people happens to be in this thread, so I would like to present the case here. Again, not to rain on anyone's parade, but just to present facts and inform.
The following is a better photo comparison. Marty Fitzhenry just posted some great shots of his grey VL Hudson which I'll use here. Yes it is a fantasy color, but the details are still the same.
The first thing that jumps out at me are the lines and edges, so to speak, on both models. On the Lionel Hudson, everything just seems more rounded and dull. The rivet detail, rear truck, cab, and cylinders especially suffer from this. Again, just the result of outdated tooling and design. Now on the K-Line model, fresh, modern casting and tooling is evident. All details are sharp, crisp, and finely defined. The wheels and rods on the K-Line model are also a tad smaller and finer, thus much more prototypical in appearance. As for paint, Lionel's is just too glossy IMO. The more subdued satin of the K-Line is more realistic.
Now for specific details. In each photo, anywhere you see a circle is a detail that the OTHER model lacks.
(The two circles at the edges of the pilot are to show that K-Line correctly has them tapering back, whereas Lionel has them simply square).
As can be clearly seen, the K-Line model has several more additional details than the Lionel. There is probably a lot I missed due to photo quality and not actually having them in front of me, but from what I can see with just my eyes in the photos, the K-Line includes more detail. Period. I really wish Steve (smd4) would chime in on this, he had the whole list. Unfortunately, his observations were met with such irrational scorn by Lionel fans that he has been forced to keep that great knowledge to himself.
Now for the Lionel, I found a sum total of 2 things the K-Line lacked. Both of which were already correctly pointed out by Poppet.
The Lionel also has the advantage of more working linkage and a round boiler bottom, but that's pretty much it. Obviously the multitude of small details the K-Line includes and the far better overall fit and finish sort of wins out over the Lionel model in the scale realism contest.
The tender match up is pretty much no contest in K-Line's favor. Lionel seems to still be using the ole' 2426W style.
Poppet, I've already spent a long time assembling and editing these photos. Please don't force me to point out the differences in the tenders. We're comparing a newly tooled model to a toy. If you refuse to acknowledge it, then you are truly ignorant.
I will also back up what many others have said. The Lionel Vision Line Hudson is NOT meant to be a fine scale model by today's standards, and really shouldn't be compared as such. It is meant to be enjoyed for what it is - a tribute to the legendary 700E with all the latest and greatest features. I actually wish I had one, but for $1000+ I need scale realism before cool features. And there's absolutely nothing wrong with preferring cool features over scale realism either. Everyone has their different tastes of course.
However, what is very wrong is to proclaim the Lionel Vision Line Hudson a better, more detailed model than the K-Line scale Hudson. It's untrue and misleading, and I WILL correct someone when they make that statement. For the third time, it's not to rain on anyone's parade. It's just to set the facts straight and help everyone to avoid being misled.
Is THAT enough for you Poppet?
