Which Train engine should I get????

[Anonymous]

Hello all,
New guy here. Was wondering if you all could help me, or give me any suggestions on which engine to buy? The engines in question are:

1st : K-Line K3380-1361CC Pennsylvania 4-6-2 K-4 Steam locomotive
(What does the "CC" stand for; I've tried to find out?)

2nd: Pennsylvania F-3 ABA's Lionel #6-14592 w/TMCC FEATURES

These engines wil be pulling the aluminum trailblazer 18" PRR passenger cars O54 min. curve, seven cars in total.

Thanks for your time and help,
Christian

[dougdagrump]

CC= TMCC
Check the K-Line catalog, but normally that is how they designate with the part number whether it has TMCC.

[tschmidt]

tomuch,

First of all...welcome to the forum!
Which one do you like best? Since they both have TMCC you get the features. One is a diesel and the other a steam loco. Decide which one you would rather have on your track.

Now if you want my opinion...the F3 ABA's.

Tom S

[dwiemer]

[#ditto]On the fact that it is your desire. They are both good engine outfits, but it depends on your taste. Unlike Tom, I am more of a steam guy. Think about what era you would like to design for ie: I am modelling late 40's and mostly steam. That should help you decide a little better. Another point is what plan do you have for your layout future? Passenger, Freight, both? I don't have any F3s yet, but will add at least one set, but I do have about 25 steam engines. You may find that you too will start with one type and then incorporate the other for a mixed bag.
Good Luck and Welcome to the forum. Be sure to check back often as there is plenty of good information here.
Dennis

[Craignor]

Christian,

Be careful with K-Line, they are in bankrupsy, and could be out of business very shortly, this is a very uncertain time for them. If they go out of business the waranty on the K-4 could be gone, service dept closed, and parts could become scarce.

Lionel is in bankrupsy too, and appealing a $40,000,000 judgement to MTH. However for the moment, Lionel's future seems to be more secure than K-Lines.

If I had to choose one or the other I would go with the Lionel. Lionel makes a K-4 too, as well as MTH, who is not in bankrupsy.

I hope I didnt pee on your parade, I didnt know if you were aware of whats going on with these companies, and wanted to let you know before you spent your hard earned money.[:)]

[Anonymous]

Thanks guys for the replies. I narrowed my options to these to engines to buy , by picking the PRR F-3's (which I have always liked, and they fit the era I want), and the K-line steamer b/c it has great detail which includes TMCC and syncronized puffing smoke (which is awesome). The steamer I would love to have is Lionel's PRR T-1 Duplex, but as far as I know Lionel does not offer syncronized puffing smoke[:(]. Or do they? Also, I checked out the local hobby shop's T-1 duplex, and the smoke seemed to be faint. The K-line on the other hand was substantially better and mor define. All in all both the K-Line and the F-3's will fit my future layout but, I just don't know which one I want to buy.

Thanks again,
Christian

[Anonymous]

The choice is--and should be--yours alone, based on which locomotive you like best.

However, I think I would be a bit cautious about buying a K-Line locomotive at this time because their future is kind of uncertain, to say the least. If you need service or repair for a product you buy from them now, you may run into a bit of a problem.

A lot of folks will take their chances and buy K-Line locomotives at blowout prices over the next few weeks or months, but they're doing just that: Taking a chance. It will be only a matter of time before some folks start complaining that the "bargain" they purchased is having a problem and they can't find anyone to repair it or provide parts.

I'm not saying you should avoid K-Line products. Just go into it with both eyes open, recognizing that the future for the firm is uncertain at this point in time.

[Anonymous]

Well, I made the purchase and bought the PRR ABA set with the powered B unit. Does anybody know if Lionel has The syncronized puffing like K-LIne?

Thanks again,
Christian

[Anonymous]

Yes, Lionel has syncronized puffing--but only on the steam locomotives. Diesels (or "dismals" as they are sometimes called) don't puff or chuff!

[mickey4479]

Although you made your choice, I think some dealers may still have sclae Lionel K4s locos with TMCC. I have one and it is sweet.

[Bob Keller]

Causing some great hubub on the web (in the OGR forum and pn the TCA TTML) is an ad in our March issue from Sun Models. They are blowing out the K-Line 2-8-4 Berkshires (B&A - two versions, Santa Fe, SP, Boston & Maine, and Lima Demonstrator) for $449.99 and the K4 (prewar, prewar w/deflectors, and postwar versions) for $349.99.