A "modern" Lionel #520 Diesel?

K Line & K Line by Lionel made a modern 520 a few years back.  It came in a couple of roadnames & had a directional lighting, a horn  & a can motor

The K-line engine that Christopher described - not command, but a nice runner:

 

 

 

Jim

And RMT is supposed to be releasing (sometime, God willing) an even more updated version of the former K-Line/K-Line by Lionel model.  Hopefully they will correct the wheel arrangement and make it like the original Lionel postwar 520:  An 0-4-2 and NOT a 2-4-0.  Trust me, it does make a difference in operational capability.

I would bet the RMT version will be close to a 100% clone of the K-Line version if history is any guide.

 

You're probably right because RMT will be using the former K-Line tooling.  But knowing Walter, he's apt to make a change/improvement or two.

Allan, you can try to influence him.

 

I hope that the next manufacturer to take a stab at reproducing the old 520 makes it with two 4-wheel trucks, like the prototype.

 

I may go for the 520 RMT version. I like the idea of the old look with a modern day motor. I would think I might be possible to add a ERR board to it to make it command control if there is enough room in the shell for it.

When I had one, I had TMCC added to it

It should be no problem to add at least the ERR Mini Commander, it's a really small board at 1" x 2" and 2/3" high.  You can get one with electrocoupler support that supports LED directional lighting.

I have the K-Line Great Northern version, it is a terrific runner, never a problem with it.

I had a lot of derailment problems with the front trucks on this engine. The motorman faces out the end with the trucks. Due to the way the body is mounted you cannot reverse the cab. It does run good pulling a few cars but the motorman is facing the train.

Yep, that 2-4-0 wheel arrangement can be a bit problematic, depending on what track and switches are being used, and the diameter of the curves.  The 0-4-2 configuration largely eliminated those problems on the original because the trailing truck helped to guide the coupler swing.

 

Also if the newer models were properly configured, the engineer would still be facing front and the pantograph would be on the rear portion of the body.

While the Lionel 520 and its progeny are not without their charms, I prefer this guy:

 

 

Rusty

That is a nice looking boxcab, and bonus - no pantograph. I've been waiting for a 520 from RMT to paint up in the White Mountain Central livery, but it seems to be a wait in vain. 

I have that one in CNJ, it's a nice little unit.  Full sound and command as well.