K-Line by Lionel

[traindaddy1]

Although I have looked at different manufacturers' track I have, with few exceptions, not 'stepped-out-of-the-box' and have concentrated on Lionel.  Today, I had a chance to look at a K-Line by Lionel 2007 Premier Catalog.  I was not too impressed.

Now, I may be missing something but I was wondering, from your experience, what do the K-Line selections have over the regular Lionel selections?   As always, thanks for your input.

[Jumijo]

I don't see it as one company having something over on another. I see it as more choices for the consumer. Lionel isn't offering any O27 Alcos, MP15s or NW2s. And have you seen that K-Line Hudson?! It looks pretty nice to me. Lionel isn't offering a Hudson.

K-Line's O27 freight cars can be perceived as being a better value than Lionel's because they are less expensive and come with die cast trucks and couplers.

Jim 

[Anonymous]

I agree, each company has something great, but I like collecting Lionel for the history they have. The company is 107 years old...That impresses me.

The record setting O scale train was sold for over $250,000 at an auction.

Way to go Lionel!!

I WANT THEM ALL!!

[cheapclassics]

To all,

I received the K-line catalog yesterday.  It has a lot of nice items, but I do not know if I will be buying anything.  It is good to see the brand is being carried on.  I do like the box cab electrics based on the old 520 shell.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[Anonymous]

Lots of nice stuff in the new K-Line by Lionel catalog, in my opinion. I don't much care if some folks stick solely with one brand or another; that's just not the way I select my trains now, and that's not the way I'll ever select them.  When I see something that appeals to me--the boxcabs, for example--that's where my money goes regardless of who makes the item.

[pbjwilson]

Lots of nice stuff in the new K-Line by Lionel catalog, in my opinion. I don't much care if some folks stick solely with one brand or another; that's just not the way I select my trains now, and that's not the way I'll ever select them.  When I see something that appeals to me--the boxcabs, for example--that's where my money goes regardless of who makes the item.

I looked at both catalogs at my LHS today. At least I can begin to dream about purchasing a K-line engine. The engines and the pricing are very appealing, whereas the prices on the Lionel are appalling. I look at the offerings from Lionel then look down at the price and just sigh. Rich mans hobby at those prices. Thats why I make most of my purchases on e-bay for items that are older or well played with. But the K-lines hit good price points. I think they have 4 engines around or under $100. We will see.

[Joe Hohmann]

The big question for me is...will Lionel continue with some of the K-Line products I thought were great. They ARE offering the animated watchman's shanty...but why, in the new garish colors? This is a great item, and I'm glad I bought one a year ago. The K-Line semi-scale "Streamliners" passenger cars were great...small, but not "stubby" looking, like the Lionel semi-scale cars. I have 2 sets (one set of 4 retail for $125., the other on eBay for $80.), but I'll be surprised if Lionel re-issues them. I agree that the K-Line TMCC scale steam engines were less costly than other brands, but $700. for a K4 still isn't "cheap".

I know 98% of you will disagree with me, but I predict Lionel will regret continuing with "SuperStreets". Many talk about wanting to buy it, but I don't think many of you will, in the long run. If it's still in the '09 catalog, I'll admit that I'm "all wet". Joe

[traindaddy1]

THANKS to all.  I read your views and took another look at the catalog. You had some valid points. I guess it is like everything else (seeing is believing). So next time I'm at the store, I'll take a close look and feel the real thing. I may even take a step further and look at Williams, Atlas, MTH et al.  Thanks again.

[brianel027]

I'm very pleased Lionel has continued production of the K-Line Alco S-2 switcher!

And the $75 price point too. Ironcially I didn't get the new K-Line catalog. K-Line under MDK forgot about their original 027 customers (until the last year or two) and I hadn't been getting their catalogs the past few years, so my name didn't turn over on Lionel's mailing. Ironic too that K-Line under Lionel is now making more K-Line products that interest me than did K-Line for the past 5 years.

There is some speculation that K-Line's founder may be working behing the scenes for RMT. I don't know about that, but I find that thought a real hoot. RMT is one company that recognizes the buying power of the traditional 027 market... the very same market K-Line pretty much forgot about.

The past decade has brought a multitude of choices for the scale high end buyer. It's nice to see a little more focus on the other side of the market. Yes, unfortunately I WILL absolutely have to repaint the K-Lionel S-2, but at least they're making it, so that I can in-turn can make it into Conrail or Norfolk Southern. Nevermind that, I could just use a spare for parts.

I also like the new K-Lionel New Haven A-A Alco FA set with cars... decent price too. I wish they'd offered some new road names for the prior Train-19 re-releases, but the Lionel traditional starter Reading Box Car is a must on my list, providing they don't screw up the color like they did on the Erie Lacakawanna Box Car from a few years ago.

[3railguy]

My catalog came in the mail a few days ago.

They are offering a HAMMERHEAD RS-3!

The Superstreet grade crossing and Y section is good news. It would be nice if they were to offer a seperate sale power chassis that we can power our diecast vehicles made by other companies.

 The swing bridge sparked a lot of intrest too. $99 MSRP is a good deal.

 

[Andrew Falconer]

We all need to come up with lists for new "TRAIN 19", now "TRAIN 25", freight cars and e-mail them to lionel at www.lionel.com  or [e-mail]

 

[Andrew Falconer]

They have to try something new for the K-Line O Gauge Locos and Cars:

Just Post-1980 Railroads and Railroad Graphics.

Andrew

[phillyreading]

K-Line was going in the right direction but trying to move forward too fast with scale offerings and the lawsuit by Lionel didn't help matters either.

Super Streets when it catches on will change how people view O gauge trains in a few years as I feel that Super Streets was a Major innovation by K-Line.  The track system looks like H.O. race car track but runs O gauge street cars and hand car sets as the curves are 16 & 21 inch size.

Lee F.

[alexweiihman]

I like the super streets alot im not trying to be rude but i dont think that runing cars on it loks that good its model railroading not model cars, the only way I would use superstreets would be to run a trolly.

[phillyreading]

Super Streets is a good idea to me and maybe Lionel's passenger cars # 15101 to 15106 may go throw the curves, don't know as I don't have the curve track as yet for Super Streets.  There is a Lionel cable for Fastrac that will hook up to the underside of a 10 inch straight piece, just cut the plastic away with a diagonal cutting pliers or Dremel tool to expose the terminals that are built in.

Lee F.