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I wanted to get some thoughts on this because I don’t know if it’s limited to just my J3a or not. 

I ordered the NYC 5413 specifically because I liked the mix of boxpok and disc wheels. The catalog picture describes this and shows the differential wheel arrangement of this model. When I got the train, all the wheels on both sides are the boxpok. 

That’s not what I ordered and expected. Anyone else with this kind of discrepancy?E2319A83-FACB-48D0-AB4D-AA711E3AEB8D

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Last edited by WhatShouldIBuyNext
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Yes, welcome to O scale. All the manufactures (Lionel, 3rd Rail, MTH even Atlas) have, let us say, strayed from the catalog art from time to time. Some even deliver completely different paint schemes/details from what was cataloged. I suppose if you really wanted, you could return the item. I really don’t think it is done on purpose, but this is the world we live in unless you take the catalog art from production pieces, you will probably get some discrepancy.

Take it back to your dealer.

Charlie

Charlie posted:

Yes, welcome to O scale. All the manufactures (Lionel, 3rd Rail, MTH even Atlas) have, let us say, strayed from the catalog art from time to time. Some even deliver completely different paint schemes/details from what was cataloged. I suppose if you really wanted, you could return the item. I really don’t think it is done on purpose, but this is the world we live in unless you take the catalog art from production pieces, you will probably get some discrepancy.

Take it back to your dealer.

Charlie

It was more than the catalog art.  It was actually from the written description and the art depiction. 

Randy_B posted:

How is the detail compared to your K-Line Hudson? Looks like a K-Line anyways. I like the non mixed drivers and will be getting 5413 because of it.

Comparatively they are very close but IMO the K-line has more detail texture to it in that the molded-in elements such as boiler and cab rivets, join lines, and hinges are more noticeable from a short distance away than the Lionel. These slightly more prominent details give a feeling that the K-line is richer in detail.  You can’t easily tell by the picture but that’s my impression.  I like the darkened side rods on the Lionel and usually prefer them to be that way, but the K-line’s make a nice contrast with the rest of the black and I think the contrast accentuates the other details better although in the pictures below the darkened rods seems to nicely blend in  

 58334BB8-7BFB-499B-AA2C-71F93E311069
5FE86587-4DC8-4CEA-A52F-7CE0D89DBBE8

Looking closer, it seems the K-line front marker lights are their and maybe better to scale. The headlight looks to be more accurate as well. But Lionel put the front hatch opening pivot screen on the other instead of inner hinge instead—maybe it looks less obtrusive that way. K-line on the right, Lionel on the left:

7D87618B-B7C6-41D9-AAE0-DAFB221E3235

The paint on the Lionel seems to be applied with a bit more precision so that when on close inspection, the molded-in detail on the Lionel looks a bit sharper in some places.  The interior of the cabs are similar but the Lionel has painted gauges. 

Top Lionel  Bottom K-line  

4E6B3949-B0C8-4F86-B51B-AC07DA1482A0
A335F2C7-0E08-4D94-9E6D-811CFD85AC6B

Overall, it is a toss up and both are great models. I love the old K-line for the detail but not it’s running ability. The new Lionel model comes IMO to 92% of the richness in detail look of the K-line but is a vastly superior runner. 

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Wow, very nice comparison and I think you're dead on with what you say about them. It's pretty amazing how nice the K-Line is still to this day. I like their marker lights better as well. I still wouldn't mind owning a K-Line Hudson at some point for the detail alone even though there may be some challenges in getting it to run like the newer stuff. What would be really great is if Lionel would release that one again someday if they even own the tooling (not sure that they do). I'm not sure if the business case would be there since they are so similar but I would definitely take one! Thanks for the images as well - well done!

Good post with the K-Line comparison, thanks. I have K-Line #5344 with MTH PS2 and smoke in place and it runs beautifully. Can reprogram the sound and adjust the smoke output easily. Its rumored that the K-Line's motor can be inadequate in some situations but I don't put a heavy consist with it to be safe. Also installed the K-Line 'proper' scale pilot that was available which gives a vastly improved appearance over the undersized units pictured elsewhere in this thread.  Here it is with the Commodore Hudson w/small wheels to give a comparison.

IMG_1590

 

 

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Last edited by c.sam
WhatShouldIBuyNext posted:
Randy_B posted:

How is the detail compared to your K-Line Hudson? Looks like a K-Line anyways. I like the non mixed drivers and will be getting 5413 because of it.

Looking closer, it seems the K-line front marker lights are their and maybe better to scale. The headlight looks to be more accurate as well. But Lionel put the front hatch opening pivot screen on the other instead of inner hinge instead—maybe it looks less obtrusive that way. K-line on the right, Lionel on the left:

7D87618B-B7C6-41D9-AAE0-DAFB221E3235

 

 

Had to drag out my "Cyclopedia-Volume 1  STEAM Locomotives" to confirm that the K-Line's headlight is much more prototypical looking for the NYC version.

Ron

WhatShouldIBuyNext posted:
Charlie posted:

Yes, welcome to O scale. All the manufactures (Lionel, 3rd Rail, MTH even Atlas) have, let us say, strayed from the catalog art from time to time. Some even deliver completely different paint schemes/details from what was cataloged. I suppose if you really wanted, you could return the item. I really don’t think it is done on purpose, but this is the world we live in unless you take the catalog art from production pieces, you will probably get some discrepancy.

Take it back to your dealer.

Charlie

It was more than the catalog art.  It was actually from the written description and the art depiction. 

It is really unfortunate for us when they do that as it is clearly one of the distinctive features you look at and consider when making a decision on which locomotive to purchase. Hopefully Lionel has found a solution to prevent the incorrect paint colors and wrong whistle issues which have really become a huge problem lately.

Quote BOBBYD, “It is really unfortunate for us when they do that as it is clearly one of the distinctive features you look at and consider when making a decision on which locomotive to purchase. Hopefully Lionel has found a solution to prevent the incorrect paint colors and wrong whistle issues which have really become a huge problem lately”
 
@BOBBYD
Does Lionel even know that these things happen?
Last edited by WhatShouldIBuyNext
Randy_B posted:

Wow, very nice comparison and I think you're dead on with what you say about them. It's pretty amazing how nice the K-Line is still to this day. I like their marker lights better as well. I still wouldn't mind owning a K-Line Hudson at some point for the detail alone even though there may be some challenges in getting it to run like the newer stuff. What would be really great is if Lionel would release that one again someday if they even own the tooling (not sure that they do). I'm not sure if the business case would be there since they are so similar but I would definitely take one! Thanks for the images as well - well done!

Yes, the K-line Hudson is fantastic and to me a keeper for just that!

WhatShouldIBuyNext posted:

@c.sam

Very nice. I would love to get my K-line running better. Where do you get the scale pilots if they’re still available?

They came with the engine along with a longer drawbar. Long drawbar and small wheels, will do 031. Shorter drawbar and more scale wheels, 042 or 054 depending on how close you couple the tender.

Pete

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