Lionel K4 Pacifics

[JamesShannon]

Guys,

What is the difference between the lionel 28023 and 38089 Pennsy K4s?  I prefer the semi scale sized locos and might look to add one of these.  Thanks

Are they the same tooling? I know the 28023 was cataloged in 1999 and the 38089 in 2004. I am preparing a christmas list for my wife and could use some help on the 28023.  Thanks,

Jim 

Jim

[JamesShannon]

Guys,

What is the difference between the lionel 28023 and 38089 Pennsy K4s?  I prefer the semi scale sized locos and might look to add one of these.  Thanks

Are they the same tooling? I know the 28023 was cataloged in 1999 and the 38089 in 2004. I am preparing a christmas list for my wife and could use some help on the 28023.  Thanks,

Jim 

Jim

[Joe Hohmann]

I have the newer 38089, which I recently bought at York for $390. There were a few less costly ones, but they showed a lot of use. I'm very happy with this semi-scale version. Looking at the '99 catalog, the other one looks about the same with maybe a little less "hardware" detail. The sound system MAY not be as advanced as the newer one. Your wife may have a difficult time locating them, as good looking semi-scale steamers with TMCC seem to be in demand. Joe

[GregM]

From time-to-time these engines are listed on the OGR Buy/Sell forum.  If you post a "Wanted" thread I am sure you will get responses.

I have the earlier 28023 version.  The road number for it is 3755 and it has striping on the tender reminicent of the prewar engines. 

[Joe Hohmann]

 

I have the earlier 28023 version.  The road number for it is 3755 and it has striping on the tender reminicent of the prewar engines. 

I stand corrected, after checking the box, this is the one I have as well. What threw me was some of the details on the '99 vs the '04 catalog pictures, such as striping around the cab numbers, and 2 metal valve gizmos on top of the boiler top/rear.  Mine looks more like the '04. Joe

[JamesShannon]

They must be the same tooling, just updated details and electronics on the 38089 can any others confirm this?  Thanks guys, I appreciate your checking your stock.

Jim

[Joe Hohmann]

They must be the same tooling, just updated details and electronics on the 38089

I'm not sure if the details and electronics ARE upgraded. Aside from the items I mentioned, mine also has grab rails on the cab...not shown in the '99 vol.3 catalog. Maybe I got the wrong box, or Lionel used a old box? My cab # is 3755...the catalog shows # 1361. It also describes it as "scale-O", yet it's smaller than my 1980's Williams brass scale "O" K4. This would not be the first mystery concerning a catalog. Joe

[Kooljock1]

Hey Joe! I've got both of these on my layout. The early semi-scale K4 is cab #3755. It was shown in the catalog as 1361. The later version from '04 is 3678.

The early version had pre-war style striping on the tender and around the cab numbers. The '04 version is painted much more like a Post War K-4, with smaller PENNSYLVANIA lettering on the tender, and no stripes on engine or tender.

The first version had no crew in the cab, the second one does.

They each have different sound sets, and they both sound equally good.

They each feature one chuff/puff per revolution of the wheels.

They're each easily up-gradeable to TAS cruise.

If I had to sell one, it would probably be the first version, as the later one just looks more "PRR" to me!

Jon

[GregM]

I recently bought at York for $390. 

Not to long ago there was a "wanted" post from someone who was looking for a semi-scale TMCC engine.  I offered my K4 for quite a bit less including shipping, he thought that was too much and turned it down.