Railking vs. K-Line Dreyfus Hudson

[NH_Chris]

I purchased a K-Line Dreyfus Hudson from the "numba ladies", model K3270-0001, for $229. This model has full TMCC and generic Lionel Railsounds. It is a very heavy die-cast engine and tender, with respectable pulling power as a result. Although it is traditional, semi-scale-sized, I find the proportions of the model to be quite pleasant. I was pleasantly surprised by the relatively high level of detail on this "blowout" model, e.g., firebox "glow", working backup light, especially when compared to comparably priced Lionel steam locos (which usually do not come with TMCC for a similar price).

See the pics here: http://ogaugerr.infopop.cc/eve/ubb.x?a=tpc&s=63160042&f=453102703&m=114106504

The K-Line has always run well and is a good puller, but its slow speed operation leaves something to be desired. At the lowest TMCC setting, it goes about 10-15 scale MPH, by my rough reckoning. At the high end, the sky's the limit - this unit will run off the tracks if given the chance. It does not have cruise control, and the generic Railsounds left me cold when running other similar-sounding Lionel steamers at the same time. My biggest gripe against this engine was the smoke unit, which dripped smoke fluid onto the tracks regularly. If it was topped off, it would smoke (poorly), but would leak out the bottom (around the plunger). Smoke performance did improve once I replaced the standard wick with some white fiberglass.

I recently purchased a used Railking model of the same locomotive, 30-1231-1, on the auction site for ~$250 (used). My model has about 80 scale miles on the odometer. Because the RK model has Protosounds 2, it has certain built-in advantages over the K-Line model, such as speed control, good slow-speed action, a greater variety of sounds, 20 Century Limited passenger announcements, etc. In addition, as an MTH model, it has copious smoke output. Some of the detailing is a bit short of the K-Line level, such as the size and location of the cylinders. The shape of the boiler front cover seems a bit small in comparison. Most glaringly, the fairing on the front of the engine does not carry over into the body at the top - there is a gap between the two. K Line's model correctly continues the fairing into the top of the body. I haven't had a chance to see how well it pulls, but if it is like my other MTH steamers, the speed control should be of benefit.

In the pictures, you can see the models side-by-side. You will see that the Railking is a bit darker in color. Though you cannot tell, the Railking is slightly shorter in length. The K-Line has almost-solid drivers, while the Railking has more spoked versions. I'm not an expert, but the builder's photo shows the loco with the flat drivers, though I have heard the engine could have had either type later on. The Railking running gear is a bit shinier, which is nice in a toy engine. The Railking tender shows a bit more coal in its load (the cast-in "covers" are "open" more).

I purchased the Railking model as a replacement for the K-Line, not only because of the PS-2 advantages like speed control, but because I could not run the K-Line without cleaning my track afterwards due to the leaking smoke unit. Although the models are quite close in size, detail and features, I will be disposing of the K-line version.

[brianel027]

Thanks for the well written comparison review NH_Chris. This info should be useful to someone considering one of these engines.

A couple weeks ago we had someone here do a very thoughtful review of the Lionel GN Glacier Freight Set with the RS-3. These kinds of posts are very useful for folks. The train magazines can't possibly review everything that is coming out these days, so this info help fills an important void.

I know I enjoy them and sometimes help me in a purchasing decision.

[NH_Chris]

Brianel:

Glad you enjoyed it. I will miss the K-Line once it's gone (it's still an excellent deal, IMHO). It has a wonderfully fast "top-end", which I enjoyed tremedously. 250 smph anyone?

NH_Chris

[brianel027]

Hey, just an idea - but for this and future posts like this NH_Chris and everyone, we should post the subject as "Review: Railking vs. Dreyfus Hudson."

For one, it will make looking up these kinds of posts much easier using a search with the word "Review:"

Secondly, it becomes clear you're not bashing one product over another, but rather comparing it. Unless of course one were to "bash" companies within the review itself. [:D] But even the best of companies can at times make a clinker. And as we all know, it's not the problem itself, but the service afterwards that makes all the difference with customer satisfaction.

But seriously, well written comparisons between products are useful information and one service these Forums can (and already have many times) provide to others.

[Anonymous]

How do the two engines compare in height and width? I ask this because the RailKing engine was obviously designed to look good with RailKing passenger cars. Would the K-Line engine look "right" pulling the RailKing passenger cars? Would it look too small, too big?

Thanks.

Richard Bjorkman

[Anonymous]

The NYC Hudson--probably the most produced locomotive in O-gauge history [:)]. Now that you have remotely brought it up, here is my take on things:

1.) Lionel: Makes a rugged product. It's high end steamers are superbly stupendous--if you can afford them [:)].
2.) RailKing: If you don't care about scale, then they look good, and your non-railfan friends won't care.
3.) Premier: If you can afford it....
4.) K-Line: Makes some nice, high quality steamers which are just as nice as many Lionel locomotives--just cheaper.

It seems that Lionel has become inseperably attached to the NYC 4-6-4--it's their standard-bearer.

See you around the forums,
Daniel

[Anonymous]

ONly bad thing.... Generic sound set in the K-Line model......