K-Line or Lionel- Santa Fe Black Bonnet?

Hi Jim:

 

I'm biased because I own them, but the K-Line models are my preference. However I do not know the difference in details between the Lionel and K-Line models.

 

I know K-Line is the only one to have a 8 car 18" Pass Set. They also have a 17 car (including caboose) BlackBonnet Freight train consisting of four each of different numbered cars (Hoppers, Hoppers , Box and Tank I believe).

 

It will not be easy to get the entire set of either freight or Pass, but they do come up for sale.

 

Lionel offered the ABA Power but I'm not sure about the cars. Oh yeah, there is also a 18" Observation Car available. HTH

 

Paul

The Lionel F3s are from the Postwar 2333/43 tooling if memory serves me while the K-Line F units are probably closer to scale. We have the K-Line PRR F3s and there is no comparison to the traditional engines unless you want an approximation of the illustration in the Lionel 1948 catalog.  Two entirely different animals depending on YOUR personal preference...

Jim, I would recommend the K-Lines. You probably would like the 18" passenger cars as well.

 

Wood recently purchased the K-Line set and it is stunning. I will e-mail you some photos.

Your pictures of Wood, train started the hunt!!!!

I think the K-Lines would also be both powered units giving you 4 motors.

 

There was also an inexpensive version produced by "K-Line by Lionel." Alco FA's with 13" plastic cars. I think Lionel may also have done this under the Lionel name. 

K-Line is the best.  I have the complete set with several extra cars.  Getting hard to come by as people realize how good they look.

I'll have a nice A-B-A set for a short time, but then I have to send them back.

 

"K-Line is the best.  I have the complete set with several extra cars."

 

Why does this not surprise me, Marty. 

Jim,

K-line originals are the very best thus extremely hard to come by. There are alternatives available. One set being the original Williams AA set. Our own Allan Miller has a brand new MIB for sale at a very reasonable price. Just a suggestion.

I'm sure the K-Line set is great as well as the Williams. I have the Lionel version to be as close to the original catalog artwork as possible. Very nice set, btw. Buy what you like.

I agree about K-Line being the most desirable. Here's mine, running at the Gadsden Pacific Toy Train Museum in Tucson. I managed to pick this up at a reasonable price about a year ago, but I got lucky. They tend to be pricey. 

 

Does Allan have the Williams or Kline set of engines?

 

 

Here's the link to Allan's Williams for sale.

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/t...-and-wbb-locomotives

 

I like the Black Beauties toO, but I'm not in the market for any.  I hope you find what you want.

 

Thanks for everyone advice. It looks like it K-line for me. Now to find the k-line  passenger cars!!!

I'm holding out for the black Alco PA's.

Those should be sweet.

I would like an E-8