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I didn't have K-line passenger cars but I had there hershey set with alco A & b unit and it was as strong as an ox with the dual motors and quad grip. only problem I had was getting the teather conected between the 2 as I have big fingers lol. but loved the set
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
As RT mentioned, little difficult putting the pieces together on the rails with the tether, but besides that, they are very strong pullers, well detailed, and durable. Only wish I had more than one set.
Dennis
TCA#09-63805
F-units were made by EMD, not Alco.
Bob Nelson
If you're talking the K-Line Alcos with twin horizontal cans in the trucks, they are good pullers and smooth runners as well. You don't want to overload them as the can motors aren't the larger variety and get hot easily.
If the cars are the O27 streamliners K-Line was doing then, they are in my opinion, better looking than most O27 streamline cars whether it be Lionel or MTH. They did a Texas Special that is nothing short of sweet.
John and others make a good point of clarification. It might be possible Crip is speaking in reference to the newly cataloged (in 1997 that is) F-7 diesels with the Heavyweight passenger cars. There was a Pennsy set cataloged as well as a Denver and Rio Grande set... well it wasn't a complete set as the locos and the passenger cars were not boxed all together.
The key point is the phrase "continuous apron detail" which was used in the description of the Alco FA locomotives. This is because Lionel, which made a similar model loco, had a large cutaway, so that the shell easily goes on to the frame and over the front coupler.
Crip, all those K-Line passenger sets are first rate for the money. The Alco FA internally is pretty much the same components used for the K-Line MP-15 and S-2 switcher as well as the short lived K-Line Budd cars. The K-Line Alco FA's did have more detailing and nicer paint than the Lionel version. In choosing between the two, K-Line is the winner. CTT agreed years ago in a review.
They are certainly reliable runners and dependable. Of course, the DC can motors will run fast if you use a typical Lionel transformer that puts a minimal 6-8 volts to the track. The key to running these locos slowly is to use either a Lionel 1033 at the B-U setting, or a modern transformer that starts with a more sensitive low voltage than 6-8 volts. OR you can wire the motors in series, which will decrease pulling power somewhat, but the locos will also run slower with a typical Lionel transformer.
Personally I like the smaller size of the Lionel passenger cars. But in all honestly, the K-Line steamliners are nicer with more detailing and the "streamlighting" illumination. The cars are around 13 inches long and can brush against the switch box housing of Lionel 027 switches, which is why I prefer the less detailed but shorter Lionel streamline 027 passenger cars.
Some of the later Alco FA's came with the K-Line "Real Sounds" which was kind of a clinker, compared to what others are doing. K-Line didn't stick with "Real Sounds" for very long. It's a horn, bell and a diesel noise rumble. It's certainly OK, but if it died on you, you'll be just as well off leaving it be, or replacing it with Lionel Railsounds or someother aftermarket sound system.
The only real drawback is any of these locos is that they have a tendency to jump the track when pulling a long train. The insertion of a spring between the frame of the top of the front truck (over the guide pin) solves that problem completely. I now make that addition as standard whenever I get one of these loco types.
I'd say go for it Crip. K-Line parts are becomming a little harder to get for some items. But these were "common" items for K-Line. Outside of the main spur gear off the gear motors, a Lionel Mabuchi motor can be substituted for the hard to find K-Line version, but you'll need the first gear to do this. The only difference between the Lionel and K-Line version of this same Mabuchi motor is the number of teeth on the main gear off the motor. I forget, but one is like 11 and the other 12... or 12 and then 13. Anyways, that's the subtle difference... but an important one.
Going by memory, the later improved detailing K-Line Alco FA's were available in NYC lightning streak, PRR (a KCC exclusive set), New Haven (another KCC exclusive,recently re-issued by K-Lionel), Union Pacific, Wabash, Hershey Chocolate, Southern Pacific, Santa Fe war bonnet, Golden State (RI / SP / PRR), Rock Island and Southern Railway. There was also an uncataloged Conrail Business set for CR employees only that pop up for sale.
All of these locos are superior to any Lionel Alco FA of similar type. Though it should be noted that a few of these have been remade by Lionel under their K-Line by Lionel banner, and they are identical to the K-Line ones, except now they have a switch beneath the loco for either "series" motor operation or "parallel" motor wiring operation... a nice improvement.
Some of the earlier K-Line Alcos lacking the extra detailing were also sometimes molded plastic color. The early brown and green (not even a close match to the PRR green or brown) PRR locos come to mind as well as the green Southern loco. There was also a UP done early on.
Hope all this helps. You can tell I'm an old-school K-Line fan.
brianel, Agent 027
"Praise the Lord. I may not have everything I desire, but the Lord has come through for what I need."
The K-Line 027 FA's aren't as "jacked up" as the Lionel can motored FA's as well.
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