Just got my 319 dollar kline mikado

[Anonymous]

Great looking engine with much added detail. Ran a little stiff at first but after lubing it and running it pulling 10 passenger cars it loosened up. Sound system sounds great and is quite loud. The only thing I am going to add is cruise control as it has a slow speed of about 19 smph with is too high for me.
They greared it too high just like lionel does.
I callend Ed Bender of DD and he assured me the cruise kit would solve it so I had him send me one.
It sure is a dandy for the money, and if you are looking for a fantastic shelf model get the non command for 219.00
Dave.

[dougdagrump]

Did you try setting the stall speed? I've had my B&O Mikad for about a year and I have ordered another Mikado in the C&O livery. [^]

[Buckeye Riveter]

My C&O Mikado is the best engine I own. Dave, just like yours mine ran a little stiff at first, but it really runs nice. That whistle is great!

I have the cruise kit, but have been reluctant to install it. I have read some not so glowing reports that make me a little nervous.

[GregM]

Buckeye,

I installed cruise in my Mikado. Had a little trouble, but now it runs great. If I lived closer I would gladly give you a hand with the install.

[Anonymous]

My smoke unit burnt out today, was doing fine with great puffing smoke and then a big blast of smoke came out and now it is dead.
I called trainworld and they told me to send it back and they would exchange it. Nice jesture. I can;t get the penn that I had as they are sold out. Everyone wanted Penn I guess. Anyway I am getting a c&o and that is fine as I have a c&o greenbrier and a 3rd rail allegheny, so will fit in.
I have the crusie kit and have looked it over. Will read it a number of times to get familiar with it so I know more when the new one gets here.
Any idea what happened to the smoke unit. I was in command and had 18 volts on the track and it was puffing good so I did not add any smoke fluid. I put in the 15 drops at the start that it says. Dave.

[GregM]

Dave,

If you really want the PRR engine I would contact K-Line directly and check into a replacement smoke unit only.

[Anonymous]

Thanks greg, but I decided that the c& o would be fine as long as I have the other c&o.a
Plus hopefully the replacement will not have the side rod binding this one has.
I do give trainworld credit for a no hastle return policy. I could have gotten 100% refund if I wanted due to the fact they could not give me a Penn.
Now if all the dealers and mfgs would follow 3rd rails policy of free return shipping it would really be sweet. Oh well at 319 an engine it is a read deal anyway.
One thing I will do the the c&o is put a sunbeam visor on the headlight as I just think they look great with the visor. I get them from Precision scale and custom mtg them on the existing headlight. Looks great. Dave.

[GregM]

Dave,

Sounds good to me. I broke down and ordered a NYC today. I have had the PRR for a while and installed the cruise upgrade. I saw some pictures of the B&O version and would have bought that one if they were still available. Just for fun I checked the credit card and it has already been charged for the engine. Should get it next week. I know I will install cruise in this one too but not in any hurry.

[Anonymous]

Is the cruise kit hard to install???
Dave.

[Bob Keller]

Received my $219 conventional version today. I'm a very happy camper.

[Anonymous]

Recieved my PRR Mikado today too! Looks runs and sounds great! Best deal I've had to date! I'll have to consider adding the cruise. So far it's pulling six Lionel alumium cars around 0-42 curves with no problems.

[dougdagrump]

My C&O Mike arrived today, wasn't expecting it for a couple more weeks at least. [:O] [:D]

[jimsandman]

So far very pleased with my TMCC UP! Definately one of the best buys I've come across. Does need the cruise control though to make multiple trains on the same line stay spaced apart.

Jim

[Anonymous]

Northern 1, no the kit is easy to install. The instructions are well written, but the pictures suck. Do not use the crip, solder the 3 wires and heat shink them. Lastly pay close attention to how the wires are folded as it it a tight fit, you may want to trim some excess wire as they give you to much. Oh yes, jiggle the new motor before you tighten the screws it helps seat it properly.

David

[dougdagrump]

Finally had a chance to test run my C&O Mike.
What a beauty, I think this one is even better than the B&O I've had for a while.
[:D] [:D]

[Anonymous]

I got a NYC... engine had a short in it, I probably could have repaired it, but I opted they send a new one. What a great thing... K-line isnt looking too good in my book.

[Anonymous]

Just got done with installing the cruise kit in my mike and does it work great. You can even fine tune the slow speed if you want.
If you want to try it here is how you do it. Follow the directions for setting the gear ratio but instead of putting in 22 to one (220) put in 19 to one (190). The loco will run much slower and give a great smooth start. I haven;t tried it but if you want your slow speed to be faster, go higher than 22 like 25 to one (250) It will accept any gear ratio number, and works great to match the slow speed to another engine. In my case it was to match it to a 3rd rail pusher I use and the 3rd rail engines start very smooth and slow, but doing this to the kline engine I matched it right on the nose with 19 to one.
The kit comes from the factory pre set for the mike and it is 22 to one.
Dave/.
Here are the commands to do this. While stopped, enter( eng)( # )(direction )(boost) , (aux 1) and on the keypad put in the number you want it to think is the gear ratio. In my case, I used <eng#,direction, boost, aux 1, and number 190. You also can enter a ratio of 19.5 by doing 195 or 196 for 19.6 to one. Your chuff will still match the smoke.
It is factory set for 2 chuffs per rev and have no info how to change that but with the small drivers, 2 chuffs sound good to me.

[iguanaman3]

QUOTE:

Just got done with installing the cruise kit in my mike and does it work great. You can even fine tune the slow speed if you want.

QUOTE:

Did you happen to notice what version your cruise control was? There is a sticker on the chip on the board. I just received a ver. 3.0 for my Mikado and I am wondering what the difference between 3.0 and 4.0 is? I am wondering if I should send my 3.0 back to K-line to exchange for a 4.0 BEFORE I do the install.

Neil

[Anonymous]

No I didn't look but I got it from Ed Bender. The special instruction sheet that tells how to set the driver diameter and gear ratio does not specify that it works only on a certain version. It talks like it works on all cruise kits with item no K3203-900.
NOTICE I just changed the order for commands to change the slow speed. You use boost and not bell.
I do not know if these instructions went with all kits as Ed knows I like to experment and he put these instructions in for me to experment with.
If you are not sure yours will work call Kline and ask. Be sure and ask for the command control service techs as there is a different # to talk to if it is non command vs command.
If you got a 2 page sheet with "Additional Programming for Steam Locomotives" written accross the top I would assume you can do the special programing.
My box says Hudson Cruise Upgrade Kit and both the hudson and mike have a 22 to one gear ratio but the Hudson has larger drivers. It is supposed to be set at the factory for 22 to one but no mention of the driver diameter is in it.
If you want to program the driver diameter here it is:
(eng) (#) (DIR) (BRAKE) (AUX1) (+++) +++= DRIVER DIAMETER IN DECIMAL INCHES
(+.++) 1/2 INCH WOULD GO IN AS 0.50. ONE INCH WOULD GO IN AS 1.00 ETC.

[Buckeye Riveter]

QUOTE: Originally posted by GregM

Buckeye,

I installed cruise in my Mikado. Had a little trouble, but now it runs great. If I lived closer I would gladly give you a hand with the install.

Greg, thanks for the offer. That was very thoughtful of you. I'm glad to hear that it is working great.

[iguanaman3]

QUOTE: Originally posted by northern 1

No I didn't look but I got it from Ed Bender. The special instruction sheet that tells how to set the driver diameter and gear ratio does not specify that it works only on a certain version. It talks like it works on all cruise kits with item no K3203-900.
NOTICE I just changed the order for commands to change the slow speed. You use boost and not bell.
I do not know if these instructions went with all kits as Ed knows I like to experment and he put these instructions in for me to experment with.
If you are not sure yours will work call Kline and ask. Be sure and ask for the command control service techs as there is a different # to talk to if it is non command vs command.
If you got a 2 page sheet with "Additional Programming for Steam Locomotives" written accross the top I would assume you can do the special programing.
My box says Hudson Cruise Upgrade Kit and both the hudson and mike have a 22 to one gear ratio but the Hudson has larger drivers. It is supposed to be set at the factory for 22 to one but no mention of the driver diameter is in it.
If you want to program the driver diameter here it is:
(eng) (#) (DIR) (BRAKE) (AUX1) (+++) +++= DRIVER DIAMETER IN DECIMAL INCHES
(+.++) 1/2 INCH WOULD GO IN AS 0.50. ONE INCH WOULD GO IN AS 1.00 ETC.

I just finished my install and I also have the Hudson kit. Did you notice the gears were a little different on the kit motor? It doesn't matter though, my gears mesh perfectly. Everything went smoothly and now the loco is running that way too! I haven't played with gear ratios yet but driver diameter IS different on the Mikado so I guess that should be set.
I am very impressed with the K-line reader on the motor. It has no tape to get messed and no magnets to explode...pretty smart I think.

Neil