K-line Reefers and a Trip to Davis Trains

[ben10ben]

I've been saving up a gift certificate to Davis Trains in Cincinatti for over a year now, and finally was able to make up there this weekend.

My certificate was for $50, which normally wouldn't buy much, but I figured it would get me an Atlas reefer or something of the like. Anyway, upon pulling up to the storefront, I couldn't help but notice a sign out front advertising $10 off a $50 purchase for Labor Day weekend.

Upon walking in, I noticed a closeout on K-line cars...some of the really nice ones, at a price of two for $50. After looking through them, I ended up selecting three, two of which were K-line's scale woodsided reefers.

I never had examined the K-line up close before, and I'm really impressed with them. I haven't had a chance to make a side-by-side comparison yet, but they don't appear to be quite as detailed on the outside as the one Atlas O that I'm fortunate enough to own. Inside, though, they're really nice with ice bunkers and meat racks on the ceiling, as well as pop-off roofs. What's more is that one of them even came with a package of plastic cow carcases as well as hooks to hang them from the ceiling. I'm not too sure that they'll ever leave their package, but it was an interesting touch none the less.

I hope that Lionel continues to make these, and hopefully without raising the price too much.

Also, for those of you in the Cincinatti area, now's a good time to visit Davis Trains. It's not often that you'll be able to pick up three nice scale cars for $70, tax included.

[Andrew Falconer]

Lionel will absolutely continue to produce the K-Line Wood-Sided Refrigerator Cars.

The MSRP is $64.95 at the local hobby shop, but superstores will sell them for around $50.

Andrew

[ChiefEagles]

Isn't Davis Trains a great place.  I loved my visit there.

[dougdagrump]

Ben, In my estimation the later model K-Line reefers were done exceptionally nice. The detail wasn't quite as good as Atlas but very close, the only thing I would liked to have seen, other than K-Line still being in business, would have been more multiple road numbers for one item.

[jefelectric]

Ben, You are right they are a great buy at the present price.  Not sure how many I would have bought at the old list as that made them more than Atlas.

At first I thought those were cows but on doing some measuring they are closer to hogs.  I just posted a couple of pictures on Sunday Photo Fun of my reefer with them hanging.  I also added a little paint to them to make them more realistic.

The Atlas are more detailed but also a lot more fragile, even us old guys have to be very careful when handling them.  Don't think they would last to long if handled by a child.  The K-line are a little more sturdy.

Glad you hit Davis Trains at sale time.  I have never been to their store but have bought a few things via internet.  Nice people to deal with.

[Buckeye Riveter]

Isn't Davis Trains a great place.  I loved my visit there.

I can't believe he said that after he has bad mouthed everything else in Ohio for the last three years.  Maybe the Chief thought my favorite train store was in Kentucky. 

There are two trains related items that one must see in the Cincinnati area,  1) Davis Trains 2) Cincinnati in Motion (The S scale layout at the historical society in the old train station.)

BTW, Andrew, do you work for Lionel?  or sell to Lionel?  or sell Lionel?  Absolutely is a very positive statement for someone to make without some knowledge of Lionel's future business plans.   Many of us do hope the K-Line product continues to be innovative and unique and I hope you are absolutely, 100% right on target!