Which would perform better, MPC single motor vs. K-line two motor?

On a layout that size, it wouldn't matter. However, in the big picture a 2 motor will do much better.

Probably the dual can motor is better.

However, I wouldn't overlook condition. I just bought a K-Line GP-38 which is a nice running conventional engine. It took me 10 hours to get this one running like it should.

As I recall, the K-Line MP15s have the small DC motors in the trucks.  At least the early ones did.  Did they build a version with vertical can motors? 

Two motors

The AC motor will draw far more current than the K-Line dual motored engine.  It'll have better low speed performance and better speed control.

The K-line MP15 would be a much better choice. Dual AC can motor will pull less current and it will have four traction tires. It will our perform the MPC loco all day.

The K-Line MP15 and similar engines with truck mounted motors  can derail on 027 curves.

As mentioned, if an earlier K-Line with the small truck mounted motors it will be extremely fast and difficult to maintain slower speeds.  We had a couple at our hobby shop years ago and ours would always win a drag race we would set up from time to time on Saturdays or at shpows. Previously the Marx 666 steam loco was the undisputed speed king before the K-Line switchers came along...

Thank you all for the responses.

@ChiTown Steve, what kind of work was required to get that GP38 running right?

@gunrunnerjohn, just to be clear are you saying the K-line will have better low-speed performance and speed control?

@c.sam posted:

As mentioned, if an earlier K-Line with the small truck mounted motors it will be extremely fast and difficult to maintain slower speeds.  We had a couple at our hobby shop years ago and ours would always win a drag race we would set up from time to time on Saturdays or at shpows. Previously the Marx 666 steam loco was the undisputed speed king before the K-Line switchers came along...

I have one of these somewhere and if memory serves me, wiring the 2 can motors in series helps with speed control.

Tony

Joe- I have both, I'd take the K-line MP-15 over a MPC. The  K-lines are jack rabbits- mine are all wired in series.

The other drawback to the MPC is a conventional e-unit over an electronic reverse board in the K-lines.

Bob

Yes, probably by a country mile.  The Pulmore was never known as a slow speed runner, primarily due to the fact that it's a 3-pole motor, and can motors are either 5-pole or 7-pole.  Also, the combination of two motors also smooths things out.

I upgraded my Lionel Phantom from one Pulmore motor to two motors, it made a huge difference in the running characteristics, especially at low speed.