K-Line Interurbans question

[philo426]

Well,I have a Reading interurban that I bought through the JC Penny catalog in 1991.It is 18 inch long and will only run on 042 or better curves.Runs very well and still looks great!

[phillyreading]

The new ones are shorter than the runs from 10+ years ago.

Originally, the latest ones were part of the Fall Fair Days and were exclusives to K-Line Super Stores.  That's the first time they were released.

 Fred

Didn't know that K-Line made two differant sized interurban units.  Maybe that is why the newer set will run on 031.

Lee f.

[Anonymous]

The new ones are shorter than the runs from 10+ years ago.

Originally, the latest ones were part of the Fall Fair Days and were exclusives to K-Line Super Stores.  That's the first time they were released.

 Fred

[cnw1995]

So I understand from this that K-Line made both 18 inch long interrurbans and 16 inch long interurbans for the CSS&SB. The shorter ones work on 031 - the longer ones don't. I never knew there were too different styles - are the new ones longer or shorter?

[phillyreading]

Like I mentioned in the other reply Lionel may have lowered the minimum radius for the new set of interurbans, don't have the money for a new set of interurbans.

I doubt that Lionel changed anything. Kiline made longer 18" heavyweights with hinged steps that claimed to be O31. So it surprises me that the shorter 16" ones don't work with O31. What happens to them at that radius? Do the couplers hit the steps?

Neil

My set is the 18 inch long interurbans and they will lift the wheels off the track on smaller than 042 curves, the couplers don't hit the steps, the 18 inch set will NOT run on 031!  The 16 inch set may run on 031.

Neil,

I have taken off the steps and cowl catcher that came with the interurban set so the steps are not the problem but the wheelsets themselves.  The couplers have never got caught on me.

Lee F.

[iguanaman3]

Like I mentioned in the other reply Lionel may have lowered the minimum radius for the new set of interurbans, don't have the money for a new set of interurbans.

I doubt that Lionel changed anything. Kiline made longer 18" heavyweights with hinged steps that claimed to be O31. So it surprises me that the shorter 16" ones don't work with O31. What happens to them at that radius? Do the couplers hit the steps?

Neil

[watinva]

CSS&SB stands for Chicago South Shore & South Bend railroad. It still runs today from South Bend Indiana through Northwest Indiana to Chicago. I have the K-Line set from a few years ago (2004 or so) and have ran them on MTH realtrack that I believe were o31 radius curves. I grew up in Gary Indiana and used to see these cars go by all the time. This is a very nice set and am glad to see Lionel still make these.

[phillyreading]

Doug,  I still have that set, they run great on 042 track, I have managed to run the set on 031 half curves with half straights in between each half curve section but that raises the radius of the curve closer to 042, even the motorized unit by itself needs 042.  Maybe the set will run on 036 or Fastrac, however I don't have any Fastrac to use so I can't say.   Mainly I am using 031 or 042 curves and 042 Gargraves switches, the Gargraves track size is alittle larger than tubular track, 031 in Gagraves is more like 32.25 inches & 042 is closer to 42.5 inches.

Like I mentioned in the other reply Lionel may have lowered the minimum radius for the new set of interurbans, don't have the money for a new set of interurbans.

What is the CSS&SB?

Lee F.

[cnw1995]

Lee, that's interesting. Do you still have that set? I just had the opportunity a few years ago to have one of the CSS&SB set up and run on an 031 oval and they made it - - I was really looking for min. radius at a time where I was going ga-ga over everything CSS&SB. As you can guess, they liked 036 042, 054, etc better.

[rtraincollector]

right at the front of the catalog it states O31 for all items unless otherwise stated.

"In sum, you'll find this catalog full of trains that will all negotiate O-31 curves, run flawlessly, look great and deliver operators a lifetime of fun. Whether you're looking for passenger or freight engines; for conventional operation or a complete TMCC and RailSounds package; K -Line by Lionel has a selection of trains for railroad tycoons of all ages."

[phillyreading]

I have a set of K-Line Interurban Cars from about 12 years ago and they will only run on 042 or larger curves.  Must have 042 switches to go throw the curve sections, do not use 027 size 042 curved switches as the switch housing(unless modified) will derail this set every time.  GarGraves 042 switches will work because of low switch motor height.  They have center pick-up rollers too(as cnw1995 mentioned) and can be hooked up to run off of the pantagraph, must hook-up the additional wire yourself.  If I am correct the powerred unit has traction tires on it.

Bought an additional heavyweight add-on car as the center car and the powerred unit pulls both with good results.

BTW; the catalog may be wrong about the size curve this unit needs or the Interurban set has been modified from original K-Line production.

Lee F.

[cnw1995]

They are reissues. They run best on 031 curves - I wish they could handle 027 but they don't quite make it. They have the pick-up rollers too.

[Anonymous]

One more question....Do you have to use the pantograghs to run these or do these have the center rail roller pickups?......thx.....tom.

[csxt30]

The K-line Interurbans in the new catalog, unlike Lionel, it does not mention what the smallest radius these will run on, does anyone know?....thx.....tom

Yes, on page # 1 of the Lionel K-line catalog, it states everything will run on 031 track !!

Thanks, John 

[alexweiihman]

id say the same radus as heavyweight passanger cars they made because all the interberban is 2 cars with a motor and pantograph

[Anonymous]

The K-line Interurbans in the new catalog, unlike Lionel, it does not mention what the smallest radius these will run on, does anyone know?....thx.....tom