K-Line Porter questions and possibilities

[Boyd]

I've never seen a picture of this model before. What a neat looking little engine. Looking at the pictures of it in the 07 K-Line catalog gives me new ideas for mine and other small layouts.  A guy at the hobby shop said this engine has been made in the past. How much can it pull? I see in the catalog it comes with scale couplers. Can Lionel type couplers be installed easily? What smaller cars on the market would look good behind this engine? How about 4 wheeled log cars? For my bedroom layout 4x8 sheet of plywood plus extentions,,, I  can see an upper level running 027 track and 027 curves with several loops (or are they called switchbacks?) going back and forth to climb up a hilly snowscape with pine trees. 2 or 3 of these engines lashed up and maybe I  can have a 2.5% to 4% grade.

[Anonymous]

I have several of the Porters (formerly made by K-Line). Nice little engines, although oversize.  I have pulled as many as five Industrial Rails log cars, plus a caboose, with mine on level track.  I don't think I would attempt a 4% grade--perhaps 2% at max.  But, I'm not operating on grades so I can't say for sure.  They are very neat little locomotives for a logging or mining line.

[laz 57]

I have several of the Porters (formerly made by K-Line). Nice little engines, although oversize.  I have pulled as many as five Industrial Rails log cars, plus a caboose, with mine on level track.  I don't think I would attempt a 4% grade--perhaps 2% at max.  But, I'm not operating on grades so I can't say for sure.  They are very neat little locomotives for a logging or mining line.

 

Same for me at 4 Industrial rail log cars and a cabbose.  No problems, smokes up a storm.  Light on front is an LED and sometimes bugs me ,bluish color, would have looked better with the older yellowish type light.

laz57

[lionelsoni]

George, are you aware of the "golden white" LEDs that Richmond Controls sells?  You might be able to substitute them for the bluish ones.  "White" LEDs are actually blue, with some (not enough!) phosphor added to create the rest of the spectrum.  The Richmond Controls ones have orange-tinted plastic bodies that filter out enough of the blue to make their light resemble incandescents'.

http://www.richmondcontrols.com/

 

[laz 57]

George, are you aware of the "golden white" LEDs that Richmond Controls sells?  You might be able to substitute them for the bluish ones.  "White" LEDs are actually blue, with some (not enough!) phosphor added to create the rest of the spectrum.  The Richmond Controls ones have orange-tinted plastic bodies that filter out enough of the blue to make their light resemble incandescents'.

http://www.richmondcontrols.com/

 

THANKS BOB, I'm learning newstuff everyday.

laz57

[Boyd]

Are these Industrial Rail log cars 4 or 8 wheels? Does anyone have a car number for these? Didn't some other company buy up Industrial Rail?

[Anonymous]

The IR cars are eight-wheel.  Very nicely done.  Now being made and offered by Atlas.

[jimhaleyscomet]

I use Beeps and K-line Plymouth switchers and my new layout has 5% grades on 031 curves.  I think the Porter would be similar.  If the track is well laid, and you are willing to double head engines then it is very do-able.  I can run single engines with my very light K-line set cars (purchased at Hobby Lobby using the 40% off internet coupon).  Heavier cars require a second engine.  

See the following two links for more information.

Re: Mountain Layout Progress and a Question

Re: Am I nuts for going with a 6% grade.

Jim H