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What is it about K4s?

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  • Member since
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  • From: Northern Indiana
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Posted by PennsyHoosier on Saturday, November 13, 2004 8:21 PM
dkelly, that is a great post.

huber, I'm with you, too. Tonight I ran my M1b. My wife fell asleep listening to the sound of the steam. Reminded her of the old days. There are so many great ones from the old Pennsy.
Lawrence, The Pennsy Hoosier
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, November 11, 2004 7:04 PM
I like the 2000 E8's
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, November 11, 2004 5:27 PM
I know what you mean about the K-4's. I grew up right off the New York and Long Branch RR, but a little to late to see the K-4's in action. In doing research on the CNJ it was only expected that I ran into dozens of pictures of the K4 in towns that I knew - Red Bank, LIttle Silver, the Amboys etc. I was captivated!! As diesels were taking over, the K4's held on to the end - even given their age at the time. Whenever I see a model of one moving along, I can't help but picture what it must have looked like way back when.
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Posted by twhite on Thursday, November 11, 2004 2:53 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by twhite

QUOTE: Originally posted by huber25

What is it about K4s?..........................EVERYTHING!!!!!! There's just something about all Pennsy steam!

My favorite PRR steamer is the E-6s..........no, G-5s............no, J-1...........no, K-5...........no, M-1 .......no, S-2...........jeese!!!!

Roger
Huber--CEASE! DESIST! STOP IT! You keep it up, I'm going to be wanting to figure out how I can possibly rectify having a GG1 running through my Sierra Nevadas with no caternary!
Tom
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Posted by twhite on Thursday, November 11, 2004 2:49 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by huber25

What is it about K4s?..........................EVERYTHING!!!!!! There's just something about all Pennsy steam!

My favorite PRR steamer is the E-6s..........no, G-5s............no, J-1...........no, K-5...........no, M-1 .......no, S-2...........jeese!!!!

Roger
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, November 11, 2004 2:09 PM
What is it about K4s?..........................EVERYTHING!!!!!! There's just something about all Pennsy steam!

My favorite PRR steamer is the E-6s..........no, G-5s............no, J-1...........no, K-5...........no, M-1 .......no, S-2...........jeese!!!!

Roger
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Posted by PennsyHoosier on Wednesday, November 10, 2004 10:22 PM
I sure appreciate all the comments. There is something about certain locos. It really is something that these bruising pieces of machinery can have such a beauty about them. Thanks again friends!
Lawrence, The Pennsy Hoosier
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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, November 10, 2004 3:03 PM
kbfcsme - That engine will NEVER be mundane, EVER. It's like a NYC Hudson or a GG1 - they never get old and you never tire of looking at one. I can spend 10 minutes just staring at the new MTH add.
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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, November 10, 2004 2:48 PM
Not sure about K4s, never really thought they were that great. The loco I stare at everytime I go down to my trains is my Rivarossi UP FEF-3. So beautiful! It'd look good even if it was in a wreck. I'll tell ya, that loco looks good from EVERY angle.
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Posted by AggroJones on Wednesday, November 10, 2004 2:33 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by railguyho
Speaking of K4's i bet there will be more than a few of us drifting off to that magical place when MTH releases it's HO scale K4 with sound and smoke.


I've seen the BLI K-4 and I've gotta tell ya, they look very hard for MTH to beat.

And TEFFY, I've too spent time staring at my SF 3751....tring to figure out a way to make it blacker without repainting it! That uniform gray is sickening. [banghead]

"Being misunderstood is the fate of all true geniuses"

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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, November 10, 2004 10:48 AM
Enjoy it while it lasts!
With the recent additions of BLI and soon MTH joining the K4 fray, pretty soon they will be as populous and mundane as F units are now![}:)][;)]
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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, November 10, 2004 10:41 AM
THE K-4 MADE in Altoona that sums it up. I have 2 1361's, tryin to find an affordable Brass!
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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, November 10, 2004 9:31 AM
THe K-4 was a "must have" and i don't know why. I have a third rail K-4 postwar and it is simply stunning. I love small steam, and wi***here were more out there. My second favorite is a Weaver G1 in brass also. Having these two engines going on my layout at once is a really great day..[:D]
Bill
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Posted by j1love on Wednesday, November 10, 2004 8:46 AM
I think that the K4 is the ultimate workhorse. It is not the biggest engine, but not too small either; on the Pennsy it hauled a little of everything and pretty much lasted forever. Going on that line of thought, I think that the K4s may just be the perfect steam engine. (I know they are for me)...just my 2 cents

Jim Davis Jr Pennsy, then, Pennsy now, Pennsy Forever!!!!!!!

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Posted by ndbprr on Wednesday, November 10, 2004 8:32 AM
It doesn't matter what engine or railroad. Every once in awhile something pops out from the scene that triggers something mentally and gives the appearance of replicating the prototype. For a brief instance we are transformed from modeling to railroading. At least thats the way it is for me.
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Posted by twhite on Wednesday, November 10, 2004 7:51 AM
I have no idea what it is about K4s, or any other kind of Pennsy steam power for that matter. Don't have a K4, and I'm a 'West Coaster' kind of guy when it comes to my steam power (Rio Grande, SP), but not too long ago, my friend at the LHS talked me into getting a Pennsy 'Hippo' 2-10-0. Told me in case any 'rivet counters' visit my Rio Grande layout that it's been 'borrowed' from the Pennsy for the duration of WWII. Sounded okay to me. 2 M1's and 1 J1A later, I'm still 'borrowing' from the Pennsy. Like I said, I have no idea what it is about K4s or other Pennsy power, but they sure are fascinating! Personally, I think it's that European-looking Belpaire firebox.
However, the locos I REALLY stare at whenever I walk past them in the train room are my Rio Grande M-78 mountains. Egad, what handsome little devils!
Tom
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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, November 10, 2004 7:13 AM
I think we all get off into that magical world,or we wouldn't be able to spend the time and money,that we do involved in this hobby.{we've shed our youth,went on with life,married with bills,worries and strife,but the one thing that keeps me from going insane,A half hour alone just running my trains}Speaking of K4's i bet there will be more than a few of us drifting off to that magical place when MTH releases it's HO scale K4 with sound and smoke.
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Posted by Fergmiester on Wednesday, November 10, 2004 6:45 AM
I have a Bachmann post war K4. It's a nice engine but not what I'd call my top three. Pennsy power, though interesting doesn't appeal to me near as much as C&O, CN or (dare I say it) UP. Maybe it's because Pennsy dared to be different and I prefer the old classic lines.

Regards
Fergie

We have way too much ATSF around here!

http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=5959

If one could roll back the hands of time... They would be waiting for the next train into the future. A. H. Francey 1921-2007  

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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, November 10, 2004 6:22 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by lyctus

Pennsy Hoosier is not on his own here. I must have my K4 s do a turn around my test track most days just to watch them roll. It looks so good. They are real nice locos. A string of cars behind them, what more can you ask ?


WHAT MORE CAN I ASK??

A BLI Santa Fe 4-8-4 - - - - died and gone to Heaven.

Have a blessed day and remember SANTA FE ALL THE WAY
Bob
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Posted by lyctus on Wednesday, November 10, 2004 4:00 AM
Pennsy Hoosier is not on his own here. I must have my K4 s do a turn around my test track most days just to watch them roll. It looks so good. They are real nice locos. A string of cars behind them, what more can you ask ?
Geoff I wish I was better trained.
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Posted by mikebonellisr on Tuesday, November 9, 2004 11:23 PM
I model the N Y Central. but I also love the look of some Pennsy power.Of course the K4 and the G5 and A5.As a matter of fact,I have painted and decaled some of them for my freelance N Y C.With the incredable detail and lettering, almost all of the NEW models comming out evoke that same feeling.They look so good,I usually wait a couple of months before I super detail,paint and weather them.
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Posted by pbjwilson on Tuesday, November 9, 2004 11:09 PM
Hoosier,
Recently purchased an old Lionel 249E steam engine - prewar. Have it on the fireplace mantle. Stare at it everytime I pass by. I think I stare at my steam engines more than the diesels. THey have more class, more charisma.
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What is it about K4s?
Posted by PennsyHoosier on Tuesday, November 9, 2004 10:59 PM
I just realized I've spent the last 15 minutes dreamily staring at my Bachmann Spectrum K4. Does that happen to any of you? If not K4s, what engines?
Lawrence, The Pennsy Hoosier

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