Like most people from Ohio, I'm looking at B&O diesel sets...

[Wes Whitmore]

I have been eying the MTH ABA, but came across this today while picking up more track for the layout...

http://www.amazon.com/K-Line-B-CLASSIC-Freight-Set/dp/B000HGDE96

 

It's a K-line set from around 2003.  I found it for $399, new in box.  I haven't had a chance to pilot any of the nicer K-line sets (besides by K-line speeder set).  With 4 motors, this should be a really nice hauler.  The only downfall is that it doesn't have built in TMCC, speed control, or some sort of railsound.  It's still a very nice set for the money.  Does anyone have this set?  What do you think?

Thanks for your opinions,
Wes

[Anonymous]

Wes,
I don't have that set, but you could add TMCC to this from Electric RR for under $200.00 making it a steel!

Nice find!

Brent

[Wes Whitmore]

That's kinda what I was thinking.  Basically the money saved on the set would pay for the TMCC...

I don't have the shopping knowledge, so I needed to know that it was a pretty good deal.

Thanks,
Wes

[Anonymous]

That set is a steal. The savings should pay for the Tmcc. I know nothing about TMcc yet, Im still 20 years behind in O scale.

The A-B set with both powered has to be worth something to somebody with such a big train to pull. It is a tempting buy.

[Buckeye Riveter]

Wes, I have seen these K-Line B&O sets and they look real good to me.   The detail is better than on my Lionel FTs.    How many axles are powered?  That might make a difference in how you install the TMCC.  A B&O FT A-A with TMCC and RS went for $387 a couple of weeks ago on eBay.

[Anonymous]

Well then lets look at it a bit closer:

You are getting:
Powered F-7 A unit 
Powered F-7 B unit
Die-cast scale hopper
Stock car
Box car
Wood sided reefer
flatcar with log load
tank car
Illuminated Caboose

The tankcar and caboose have die-cast chassises to add weight and from the pic the stock car and reefer have very nice detailing.

I would estimate the value as:
A Unit - $299
B Unit - $175
Hopper - $65.00
Stockcar - $45.00
Reefer - $45.00
Flatcar - $45.00
Boxcar - $45.00
Caboose - $45.00

Total: $764.00

So not too bad... you would have to add at least $250 if this were a Lionel set, at least $500.00 if it had TMCC...

Based on my experience...

Brent

[Buckeye Riveter]

I see where there are four motors.  Sometimes the second unit does not need its own TMCC controller but can be controlled from the first unit.   You would need to check with the after market vendor of the specific TMCC to see if it could be done.   I think units from TAS may be able to run all four motors with a tether between units. 

[Wes Whitmore]

Buckeye, It says 8 wheels on each unit are powered, so I guess 4 axles on each.  Any idea what this is though?

3 position electronic reversing unit linking all units

K-line K-1704 B&O Classic Freight Set

Set Includes:
K2510-4562 B&O Powered F-7 A Unit
K2510-4561 B&O Powered F-7 B Unit
K623-1091 B&O Classic Scale Hopper
K642-1091 B&O Classic Wood Sided Reefer
K641-1091 B&O Sentinel Service Classic Box Car
K-635802 B&O Classic Tank Car w/ die cast chassis
K643-1091 B&O Classic Stock Car
K-69007 B&O Classic Flat Car with logs
K-613602 B&O Classic Caboose

Track and transformer are not included

F-7 Engine Features:
13 1/2 inches
O Scale 1:48
Dual motors on all units
8 wheel drive on all units
3 position electronic reversing unit linking all units
Realistic sounding diesel horn
Quadra Grip Wheels
Die cast pilot and couplers
Operating front coupler and lighted cab interior on A unit
Metal chassis
Die cast fuel tank
Underside tank detail
Operating headlight
Portholes with lenses
Prototypical side and roof detail
Metal grab rails
Separate side vents
Photo-etched metal side grills and roof vents
Freely rotating roof vents

CLASSIC Rolling Stock Features:
10 1/4 inches
Fully-sprung die cast trucks
Metal operating couplers
Metal chassis
Separate metal grab rails, ladders and brakewheels
Underside detailing
Illuminated caboose
Completely die cast metal, O scale hopper
Tank car with die cast chassis and ladder

[Buckeye Riveter]

Somehow all the motors are connected to the forward - neutral - reverse unit.  More than likely a tether.  No problem. With TMCC we would throw it in the trash, keep it,  or sell it on eBay.

Wes, if you want to see inside one of my converted TMCC locomotives, we can easily help you out.  I have one apart right now to change the light bulb and tint the windows. 

[Wes Whitmore]

That would work for me.  If I get the unit, I'll have to work with you guys on getting the right TMCC.
Wes

[Wes Whitmore]

I would like to see it.  Maybe a picture?

Thanks,
Wes

[Buckeye Riveter]

Here you go.  We are going to open her up for you to see the guts.

This is a Williams Genesis Locomotive.  Notice the dark windows.  

Note the antenna on the shell.

We added the black tape later and it keeps everything nice and tight especially during a derailment.

We had this open to add tint to the front windows.

[dougdagrump]

Wes, Double check on the locos. K-Line also had an F Series with the truck mounted can motors as well as the vertical cans. I have an ABA B&O set with the truck mounted motors as well as the TMCC & RS. With this design they tend to be a little growlie and don't really know what SLOW starts are. But I still like them, they are normally used to pull my RK Madisons, 7 passenger cars + express service boxcar.

[Wes Whitmore]

Doug,

If I flip it over and don't see the motor on the trucks, then I'm good?  My Lionel also has a truck mounted can, and that behaves just as you explain.

Thanks,

Wes

[dougdagrump]

My ABA has the TMCC in the lead A with a tether controling the other powered A&B units.

[Joe Hohmann]

I have these B&O A/B units only, that I got at a Justrains "blowout" 2 years ago for $150. They are great looking, but are very noisey (due to all the motors?). Joe

[Wes Whitmore]

Thanks Joe.  My layout seems to amplify the sound at the moment...

Wes

[jd-train]

I have these B&O A/B units only, that I got at a Justrains "blowout" 2 years ago for $150. They are great looking, but are very noisey (due to all the motors?). Joe

Joe - You did better than me.  I got my units at a blowout price from another dealer for $185.  Still I'm happy with the price I paid

Wes - IMHO, $399 is probably a fair price for this set.  Justrains had a blowout a few months ago for $350 for the newer A-B-A set that I believe came with TMCC. 

Please keep in mind that there will be no K-Line warranty with these sets and Lionel may not have the parts to service them. 

Jim 

 

 

 

[alexweiihman]

About Lionel not serviceing orginal K-line, I was talking to the owner of a LHS and he had Jerrey Cabreese at the store a while ago and told me that Jerrey seemed to infer that lionel would in the future repair old K-line items.

 

[jd-train]

About Lionel not serviceing orginal K-line, I was talking to the owner of a LHS and he had Jerrey Cabreese at the store a while ago and told me that Jerrey seemed to infer that lionel would in the future repair old K-line items.

I sincerely hopes this happens as two of my favorite engines are my K-Line Scale Mike and K-Line Scale K4 and I have a total of seven K-Line engines!

My only concern is that Lionel does not yet own K-Line and sometimes Lionel (MTH too) has a problem stocking repair parts for their own items.  I'm optomistic that given the number of K-Line engines out there, even if Lionel does not have the parts, someone else will.

Jim

[fifedog]

Wes - it's a handsome set and all, but the price, GEEZ...and how many times can Amazon put CLASSIC in the text...?  What's CLASSIC about K-Line?  With the grade on your layout design, you should be looking at engines with SPEED CONTROL features.

[Anonymous]

Fife - he found the set for $399.00... not bad for that set... he can ADD the TMCC controllers later...

Brent

[corton]

Guess I'm missing something.  The link you provided shows it for $649, not $399.

OR... you provided the link, and are really saying that you found it someplace ELSE for $399?

[dougdagrump]

Wes,

Those are definitely the truck mounted can motors, not vertical, and the AB operation is controlled thru a tether. IMHO K-Line had absolutely the WORST tethers in the business. If you don't mind the "growlies" they aren't bad units, however if you were to go ahead and purchase them I would seriously consider a full TMCC&RS upgrade to one unit and TMCC to the other. Combine the tether and the dummy couplers and the closeness of the diaphragms they can be very frustrating.

P.S. I went thru my K-Line catalogs, 2001 - 2005, and couldn't find this set listed.

[Buckeye Riveter]

Doug........ Would Wes really need two TMCC units?  I have read of people running two powered units off of the same TMCC unit.  I have not done it.  Maybe someone else has heard if it is really feasible.

[dougdagrump]

Doug........ Would Wes really need two TMCC units?  I have read of people running two powered units off of the same TMCC unit.  I have not done it.  Maybe someone else has heard if it is really feasible.

One TMCC/RS upgrade can handle both A&B units, I have an all powered ABA, with TMCC/RS, the same as Wes is considering. The primary reason would be for ease of set-up and tear down at end of day. I haven't done it yet but it is on my "To Do List" at an unknown time. I have talked to a few operators that have done this and they said that they operated much better than with the tether and you didn't have the tether hassle. When you do the upgrades the TMCC alone isn't to costly, it's the RS upgrade that really adds to the expense.

[Wes Whitmore]

Well Buckeye spoiled me when I had a chance to operatate a nice diesel with RS 5.0.  It was mechanically quiet and super smooth with the speed control.  Only the RS could be heard, and that's the quality I want.  The price is great, but if it's clunky and loud, I really don't want it.

Wes

[JoeKoh]

B&O got my attention... I like B&O and chessie but in ho scale.someone has a nice layout with the B&O train running.keep them going.train o rama near sandusky had some nice chessies running on their layout when matt and i were there on his spring break.

 

stay safe

Joe

[dougdagrump]

Wes,

 These don't have RS-5 or cruise but for the price, WOW. If I didn't already have my next few purchases already planned out I'd be all over a couple of these. Granted they aren't B&O () but at least the D&H are a vaguely similar color scheme.

http://www.justrains.com/WeaverU25BSale.htm

[Buckeye Riveter]

Well Buckeye spoiled me when I had a chance to operatate a nice diesel with RS 5.0.  It was mechanically quiet and super smooth with the speed control.  Only the RS could be heard, and that's the quality I want.  The price is great, but if it's clunky and loud, I really don't want it.

Wes

Does your wife still have me on her  list for letting you indulge yourself?