Thank you K-line.

[brianel027]

On a slightly off point, but K-Line related topic: while others are raising prices, it will be interesting to see what comes of the Fall Fair Days this year. Certainly there's no shortage of scale sized/detailed product (this has been the recent direction) BUT of interest to the non-scale tradional operators and new comers are the GP-9's and the steam engines with a $50.00 list price shown on their web site. The steamer looks like the tradional K-Line steamer (with origins from Marx dies, but much revamped) that came with many previous starter sets - hopefully it hasn't been cheapened too much to bring it down in price. And then the GP-9 that strongly appears to be from the battery powered set, only this time with DC motors, die-cast trucks (?) and 3-rail operating couplers - from the picture looks like the same ones on the MP-15. It'd be great if it had a sheet metal frame too - and I've only seen the battery powered version from the catalog picture - but this seems like a good direction for entry level items.

Whether this is a new direction or a temporary promotion relating to the Fall Sale remains to be seen. Lionel may have the recognized name, but if K-Line can offer reasonable quality at this price point, well good job.

Of course, the recent success of the RMT "Beep" should serve as an example to all that not only can decent entry level product be made at a reasonable retail price, BUT the train buying public will also respond in kind. Not only has the "Beep" shown it's popularity with budget operators and beginners, but folks are adding TMCC to the units - showing it has popularity with more "advanced" operators.

I imagine if Lionel were making the "Beep" it'd be double the price, and triple (or more) with TMCC.

[Anonymous]

I love their collectors club. The engines are first class, and I agree with the commenst being said about service.

[brianel027]

I't's inevitable that you can not please everyone all of the time. We've all read posts from folks who have had good service and others who have had bad service from the same company.

But I will say that K-Line's seems to have the best record in this department. Overall, I have heard, and read far more positive things about K-Line's service than bad ones. I remember a few years ago a guy posted a thread over a bad service experience he had with K-Line. Many, including myself posted saying that it seemed hard to believe... K-Line's service had been so good... maybe it was an accident or he somehow just got overlooked. You know, mistakes do happen. It's how they're dealt with that matters most.

A week later the author of that post wrote to say he had receieved his parts and a personal apology from the owner of the K-Line. (The power of the train forums!!)

Years ago, K-Line VP NIck Ladd said the goal at K-Line service was to keep people happy. Looks like years later, that is still the goal. And a worthy one at that.

[MACADO]

K-line seems like a wonderful company, I traveled the longest distance in Feb. to their Feb. Fair Days and I wsa awarded a beautiful die-cast hopper. I also say thank-you K-LIne. Dave MacGregor..........

[Roger Bielen]

I recently purchased a K-line #2322 Switcher for my Burlington collection off of ebay. Though the seller had made a good effort at wrapping the engine the USPS managed to jar it enough to break one of the couplers.

No problem, I called K-line parts for a replacement, the lady that answered was very cordial and helpful, before I could ask the cost I received a "we'll get it out today, have a good day". This was last Thursday, the coupler showed up today, no charge.

All too often we hear the negatives concerning service, I thought I'd give a little positve input. Thanks K-line.