New K-Line Catalog from Lionel

[cheapclassics]

Allan,

If I could have dedicated the article on the 520 to anyone, that person would have been you.  You have been a true believer in the 520.  While the timing of the article and the release of the new 520 is sheer coincidence (at least as far as I know), it is kind of nice that it is being released again.  I wonder if it will be a separate sale item or if it is part of a set.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[Anonymous]

I understand Lionel will not be sponsoring the K Line club. I wonder if they plan to sponsor a "Fans of the 520" club.

Well, regardless of what Lionel may do, rest assured that if and when Lionel/K-Line reintroduces an upgraded version of the 520, the long-existing "Friends of the 520" society will celebrate and welcome all new members.  No fees and no requirements--but I'll see what I can do to get us a webpage and perhaps even a blog. 

[RR Redneck]

I havn't really had any problems with my tubular switches and all I buy is Lionel.

[3railguy]

I often wonder if Lionel absorbed K Line for their Superstreets and tubular switches (Lionel just can't get tubular switches right for some reason). I can picture Lionel selling starter sets with a trolley and super streets for $75.00. A Fastrack Superstreet grade crossing has to be in Lionel's plans. A 773 Hudson broadsiding a 520 boxcab would be an awesome sight let me tell you.

I understand Lionel will not be sponsoring the K Line club. I wonder if they plan to sponsor a "Fans of the 520" club.

[cheapclassics]

Allan,

Where did you see that about the 520?  That might be on have to get list especially if it has Pennsylvania markings.  I wonder if the Lionel catalog will have a 520 PWC version.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana 

 

[Jumijo]

Superstreets is the one thing I keep hearing people talk about. I think it's gonna be a great seller.

Jim 

[RR Redneck]

Personally, I can't wait for the K-Line Catalogs. I would like to see what Lionel will be continuing. Hopefully the Super Streets is one of those items.

[Andrew Falconer]

The notice I just received today stated something about 1:48 scale rolling stock would be offered but they conspicuously did not mention 1:48 scale locos.  We will see in a few days what's up.

The 1:48th Scale Locomotives from K-Line are folded into the Lionel Standard O Locomotive Line.

Andrew

[Anonymous]

There's an improved/upgraded version of the Lionel 520 boxcab on the way (Pennsy livery), under the "K-Line by Lionel" brand.  Saw that, and thought I had died and gone to heaven!

[mickey4479]

The notice I just received today stated something about 1:48 scale rolling stock would be offered but they conspicuously did not mention 1:48 scale locos.  We will see in a few days what's up.

[Buckeye Riveter]

There are four things that caught my eye on Lionel's web page advertising K-Line.

1. The Black-Red Santa Fe Paint Scheme.

2. The billboard advertising the Circus.

3. The Super Street system.

and

4. FASTRACK, not K-Line track.

Yes, I noticed that too. It may not bode well for future releases of K-Line track and switches!

My thoughts exactly, Dr. John.

[Dr. John]

There are four things that caught my eye on Lionel's web page advertising K-Line.

1. The Black-Red Santa Fe Paint Scheme.

2. The billboard advertising the Circus.

3. The Super Street system.

and

4. FASTRACK, not K-Line track.

Yes, I noticed that too. It may not bode well for future releases of K-Line track and switches!

[Buckeye Riveter]

There are four things that caught my eye on Lionel's web page advertising K-Line.

1. The Black-Red Santa Fe Paint Scheme.

2. The billboard advertising the Circus.

3. The Super Street system.

and

4. FASTRACK, not K-Line track.

[Anonymous]

 Look back at the detailed tooling on lionel engines . They were a bit pitiful compared to K-Line anywhere near the same price . It looked like detail skyrocketed after K-Line engineering designers joined them . I would have loved to have seen what K-Line would be giving us now if they were still their own company .... I can only imagine .

[Anonymous]

I hope they bring back the Chicago/South Bend South Shore interurbans that K-line had a few years ago, I ordered a set, but they never came in, then the problems happened with K-line. PLEASE Lionel, bring them back...... 

[kpolak]

We reviewed Super Streets in the december 05 issue.

I believe it was pictured in the file cabinet office layout of December 06.

Kurt

[jwse30]

It would also be nice if they continued with K-Line's O-27 switches.

Chris

 

Well, I'll third that. Actually am considering making the next layout with Gargrave's track and switches because of a lack of good O-27 switches.

 

J White

 

[pbjwilson]

As Bob said, they reviewed Superstreets not too long ago - I was concerned the trolleys wouldn't work on the curves (which were hard to find anyway). I bet the powered Corgis would do well. I hear Lionel has a new Birney too. I have to see if that is true.

Doug, I saw a Lionel "Third Ave. Line" trolley at Hills Hobby the other day. Looks nice. Its in a Yellow and Maroon color scheme. Has a few extra details on it too. Think I might be catching the bug too. Like the Corgi trolley also.

[lionel2986]

May be interesting to see how the used K-line market is affected. I have a few K-lines that I bought because I liked how they looked (I thought K-line alcos look better than Lionel) but was always told they are not as collectable as Lionel. Well, now Lionel is producing K-line.

[Anonymous]

I hear Lionel has a new Birney too. I have to see if that is true.

It's true, alright. I ordered one today. Should be here early next week.  I will let folks here know how it compares (in my opinion) to the similar MTH Birney.

[pjprevitejr]

I hope that K-Line does re-issue the Super Streets.  I was planning on using Lego "roadway" baseplates for my layout but if the Super Streets become available (perhaps with an animated street/railway crossing - hint hint), that would work for me.  How exciting to see what else will be in those new Lionel & K-Line catalogs.

[phillyreading]

I was waiting for Super Streets but I have used 027 & GarGraves track & switches that I had on hand or could buy easily from local hobby shops for my second level as the K-Line track set never arrived.

I have a K-Line Plymouth switcher set (Reading Lines)but have not run it much, and the Coca Cola Bears hand car set, was planning to use these with the Super Streets.

As others have mentioned about Super Streets; it was an attempt at road style 027 track inside a race car looking track not a slot car track by any means. The track is about 9/16 of an inch narrower than two lane H.O. race car track.  Also had sewer grates that could be popped out to insert a screw to mount the track to a piece of plywood or other surface. The curves were supposed to be 18 or 21 inch, would have worked fine with most street cars or hand car sets.

It would remind some people of the days of street cars and how the streets used to look except that most streets were two lane.

Lee F.

[cnw1995]

As Bob said, they reviewed Superstreets not too long ago - I was concerned the trolleys wouldn't work on the curves (which were hard to find anyway). I bet the powered Corgis would do well. I hear Lionel has a new Birney too. I have to see if that is true.

[Anonymous]

Thank you. I thought it might be something along those lines.

I am sorry I missed the golden age of K-Line; obviously I missed out on some good stuff.

"Some of us consider the BNSF paint jobs pretty ghastly for another thing."

Yup.

Rer the roadnames, I am 39, so I am not old enough to remember any of the old "big" railroads except the Southern, which I remember well from growing up in North Carolina. It's a funny thing, though - my favorite lines are Atlantic Coast Line and Seaboard Air Line, both long gone (in fact, I believe the SCL merger took place the year I was born). I do recall the "Seaboard System" trains but don't have much affection for them.

Why this is I am not entirely sure.

[RR Redneck]

One of the reasons they use the names not anymore around is according to MTH,Lionel, and the rest the studies they have done something like 70%+ of your model train buyers are 50+ .

reason 1 kids are gone

basicly most have retirement set and are looking for what they want to do init to keep busy.

2nd childhood also comes into it at some point probally lol

Not entirly true. I know several teenage modelers, on this forum, mine, and others. Not to mention that I know about 6 local modelers that are between 11 and 17, and I live in a small rural community.

[mackb4]

 I would imagine that Lionel might have inserts in their catalog for K-Line products like they have done in the past with other additional items that they offer.

 I wished Lionel had the resources to produce most of K-Lines items.Or that they would sell off to the other manufactures train molds or licence rights to keep all of K-Line parts available.

 K-Line really produced some nice items.Are the parts out there to get ? 

[rtraincollector]

One of the reasons they use the names not anymore around is according to MTH,Lionel, and the rest the studies they have done something like 70%+ of your model train buyers are 50+ .

reason 1 kids are gone

basicly most have retirement set and are looking for what they want to do init to keep busy.

2nd childhood also comes into it at some point probally lol

[RR Redneck]

Dr John, If memory serves me correctly the Plymouth and the Porter are in the Lionel 2007 Vol 1 catalog.  

You are correct.

[nblum]

"I think the real reason is that many starter train sets are purchased by grandfathers for their grandsons. So the trains are in road names that appeal to grandpa and get him to buy the set."

 

As I said, and you say here, sales are the most likely answer.  They're not doing it to annoy you for sure. :)  Norfolk Southern's modern production has little or nothing of glamour that looks like the PRR Merchandise cars or the GG1, or the NYC Pacemaker paint schemes.  Plus the nostalgia value and consumer population with interest in the NS compared with the PRR and NYC is much smaller I'd guess.  Back in the 1950s Lionel was selling trains to 30-80 year old adults buying for their children or grandchildren, and they're now selling primarily to 30-80 year olds buying for themselves or children or grandchildren.  That hasn't changed.  I doubt most 7-12 year olds care about the prototypical reality of the road names chosen in any case.  It's the color and action in the main.