Not only were there accessories well done, but K-Line's engines and rolling stock were good quality items as well---at least after the mid-90s.
Previously, K-Line trains weren't very good. Most of the couplers didn't work correctly, and the tooling had ladders and wheels molded-in as part of the body shell. In the mid to late 90s, the company made a serious effort to improve the quality of their entire line. The couplers were redesigned to be much more reliable, while the body shells had been modified to accept separate pieces for the brake wheels & ladders. Undercarriage detail was even added to much of the rolling stock. By the time Lionel took over, K-Line's tooling was on a par with Lionel's.
I've got a number of K-Line billboard reefers, and they ARE well done.
Or WERE well done. Nice paint jobs with excellent graphics.
If you look at the top of the caboose you see that the gang way to walk along the top of the caboose is missing. I think that is why it was marked down so much at the hobby store. I still like it anyway. My wife spotted it before I did. I had no idea K line made stuff like this with so much detail. I have 5 K line operating switch track that work and look great. 42in. Like the red and green light features that they used.
Your caboose is configured a bit differently from mine. Mine's an offset cupola where you've got the bay window variety.
Maybe your smoke unit doesn't run as hot as mine does, but I'd watch it just the same. At least you've got an on-off switch.
Nice find!
Turns out mine has an on/off switch. Thanks for the heat problem as I will be careful
Mine does have a off/on switch. Thanks for the heads up on the heat issue.
Your photo didn't post, but yes, $12 is pretty good for a K-Line smoking caboose. I've got one myself, but watch that smoke unit, it gets HOT and may slightly melt the roof area where the stovepipe comes out. Happened to mine. There's also no way to turn it off either, on my caboose anyway. I've got to rig up a switch for it.
Got this 2 years ago from my local train store cheap as it was missing the gangway on top. Got some smoke for it and works great. Not bad for $12.
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