In defense of Lionel, the acquisition of the K-Line product line is a new thing. The tooling and the dies are still in China. Lionel did not participate in the engineering of these products, so it is somewhat understandable how someone at Lionel might not be informed of all the specifics for the Lionel made K-Line products. Hopefully this will soon change.
I can tell you truthfully from talking to folks at the prior K-Line company, that many of them (especially those answering the phones) did not have answers to questions on their very own products. For employees of the train companies, it is basically a job. For us participants of this hobby, it is much more than that. There isn't one train product I own that I haven't had completely apart, so I have a pretty good idea what's in them and how they work. The same may not be true for employees of train companies that are not service techs. Also consider that the companies basically sub-contract both total manufacturing and partial engineering to Sanda Kan, which means specific product specificiations might not be available in all instances until those products have been stateside for some time.
Also, the "Talktous" Lionel phone number is basically an answering service and you will not be speaking with a Lionel technician by calling this number. And even when you do reach a technician, they may not have answers. Some years ago I called with a specific question involving the specs of an overseas made locomotive and I wanted verification of parts numbers to improve this product. The Lionel tech told me not to assume anything and though he believed that what I wanted to do would work and that I had the correct parts numbers, he wouldn't say for sure that it would work, In his own words, the products that come from China aren't always as we expect them to be.
I can understand that viewpoint. There are a number of lower end Lionel locos that were advertised as single motor units in the catalogs (O.N. RS-3, WP U36B, CSX U36B) that were actually dual motor units. Of course, Lionel mentions that products specs are subject to change in the catalog disclaimer.
On the topic of the minimum radius, I have heard this directly from the CEO of one of the train companies, that the term "027" has the double meaning of "toy" train. In these days of scale products, there are items that will negotiate the 027 curve and clear the switch housing, but are still advertised as minimum curve 031 as to not turn away the scale enthusiasts. In some cases, a product will make the 027 curve, but NOT clear the standard MPC-era (to date) Lionel 027 switch box housing.
In other cases, such as with MTH, they will not advertise a product as making 027 curves unless it has been tested to do so. This was told to me by both a rep and a tech at MTH. Plus from a sales angle, MTH does not make any kind of 027 radius track. For example, the Railking automatic dump car or the Railking PS2 covered hopper are advertised as min. radius as 031. Yet both cars not only make 027 curves, but clear the switch box housing too
That K-Line "Real Sounds" system was kind of a clinker and was pushed before K-Line had had the opportunity to completely test the system, which fell short of what Lionel was offering through their Railsounds system. Thus it was quickly forgotten.
brianel, Agent 027
"Praise the Lord. I may not have everything I desire, but the Lord has come through for what I need."
traindaddy1 wrote: ....."They have to check with the manufacturer...will call me back"
....."They have to check with the manufacturer...will call me back"
I can't resist asking - aren't they the manufacturer?
I had one of these in AT&SF livery for about 5 years and liked it a lot from day one. It was a strong, smooth puller and had the appearance of a fine scale, full size model in a more compact size. The earlier releases had K-Line's own sounds which weren't so great, but that was before K-Line became a Lionel licensee and began putting Railsounds into their models.
Bob Keller
On page 6 of the new "K" Line catalog is a NYC Semi-Scale Die Cast Hudson & Tender (6-21298-9). I did not see a minimum curve listed so I called Lionel Tech Support. They did not know....was a new product....took my name and number....would get back to me! No phone-back so I called again next day....."They have to check with the manufacturer...will call me back"
If, by chance, one of you would know, please let me know. Also, do you have an opinion about this engine? Many thanks.
PS. Not the first time that Lionel Tech couldn't help. I should have known better than to call them.
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