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When K-Line was big, toy trains weren't a priority for me as I was finishing school and starting my career, so I didn't really pay any attention to them. Things have changed. 

While I'm a prewar tinplate guy at heart, I have recently come to appreciate the K-Line 18" passenger cars, both heavyweight and streamliners. In the last 2 years, I've added 3 sets of 18" heavyweights (PRR Broadway Ltd, NYC 28th Anniversary, and NYC Pacemaker) and one set of 18" streamliners, the NYC 20th Century Ltd. 

In addition to the trains, I also really like the Super Snap track, especially the O72 switches. For those of us who operate both modern and prewar trains, these switches are tough to beat. It sure would be great to see these products on the market again. 

John

 

 

Yes I'm out here, I have over 300 K-Line items and now I'm trying in get a "fulll" size City of Los Angles ABS set with at least 9 cars. So far I have only have identified only 5 cars in two sets, and the one set I purchased had a duplicate coach car from the expansion pack instead of an observation car. Now we are making a purchase on a new house on 1.5 acres so I can build a decent size shop building to build my dream layout.

I’ve got a nice semi-scale NYC Hudson that runs like a fine watch. The details on these when they came out is just phenomenal. I also have a Lackawanna Trainmaster that I like, but it starts off fast! I have beautifully detailed NH EP5 that shorted out, and by that time, K-Line was done, so I sent it to TrainAmerica, and they replaced the drive with a Williams drive. It’s powerful, but also starts too fast. They did make some neat stuff.

In addition I have collected 29 K-Line Superstore Cars representing 21 Superstores. Some of the superstores had more than one variation. The first version was usually a white box car with a black roof and gold doors. So far I have found 3 versions of Superstore 7, the  "Train Loft". Two Christmas versions, one with Blue roof and Blue door, and one with a Red roof and Red door, and the newer bright yellow scale size box car. Thus I have found the basic variations (1) the original black and white classic size. (2) A bright yellow classic size box car used in the late 90s. (3) The just before K-Line went out of business they produced at least 4 yellow Scale size box cars. One for Superstore 7 as described above, and one each for Supestores 19, 20 & 21. However, towards the end K-Line was identifying the stores by a Superstore "number".

I also found separate advertising cars for Superstore 1 in Dallas and Davis electronics Superstore two in Milford Ohio.

Most of these stores are now closed and I'm trying to by at least one K-Line item from the remaining open stores. The most I purchased from is probably Superstore 1 In Dallas, which is now closed. I purchased items from all four store locations he operated at throughout Dallas. The second is probably Western Depot in Yuba City California, which is still open, and I just purchased the last two Willams reversing units in the country. Well the last two that I could find. The least items I purchased from was PDK trains in Florida, which is also NOW closed

Several years back we travelled through Florida and I made a stop and purchased at Least 1 K-Line car. YES, when we are on the road I look for local train stores to see what is available.  I live in San Antonia, when we moved here there were 3 O gauge train stores and Hobby Lobby. Now we are down to one, and Hobby Lobby stopped selling O gauge trains. When Hobby Lobby had the closeout sale my son and I drove to every Hobby Lobby location in San Antonio and made several bargin buys, I didn't include the gas in this cost.

YES great train stores are getting harder to find!

I really miss K-line. I also miss Kirk (former owner of Justrains). I bought all my K-line from him. He had true blowouts. No one could compete with Justrains and K-line. I have alot of 21" passenger cars still sealed. I was constantly taking advantage of Justrains blowouts. Never will forget them good ole days. Kirk was always appreciative and would take the time to write on the receipt "many thanks, Kirk". Dont see that much nowadays.Seems like alot of train stores act like they are doing you a favor to take your money. Still have a grudge for that company who helped K-line down the tubes. Hmmmmm..........who was that????........

K-Line was a great product line that not only made great model trains, but they were also were leaders in the accessory innovation.  Their catalogs always had some new innovative accessory unlike the tired out Lionel rehashed accessories.  Thus I miss this product line a lot.

Don't get me wrong, Lionel did for a brief period of time offer some interesting new accessories.

But as you've all seen over the last ten years Lionel hasn't really offered anything of real interest in terms of exciting accessories.

However it seems that the void K-Line left is partially being filled with Menards innovative accessories and nicely done cars.

I have a decent amount of K-Line product, mostly operating cars and accessories that I converted to TMCC.  Also, sadly only one, complete Passenger train, a beautiful set.  I think their Hudson was stunning, wish I would have picked one up.  They definitely made their mark in O Gauge history.  Wonder where all the tooling went?  Wonder what Maury is doing?

K-line had a fabulous line of items.  I have two diesel engines...best sound systems on my table, and the heaviest too.  Two of my favorite buildings on the layout are K-line...the 20th Century Diner and the Ford dealership.  Next to a Super Chief passenger car set from GGD on the layout, the K-line Pennsy set of heavyweight passenger cars is a close second...great company!

Last edited by Capetrainman
@jini5 posted:

I really miss K-line. I also miss Kirk (former owner of Justrains). I bought all my K-line from him. He had true blowouts. No one could compete with Justrains and K-line. I have alot of 21" passenger cars still sealed. I was constantly taking advantage of Justrains blowouts. Never will forget them good ole days. Kirk was always appreciative and would take the time to write on the receipt "many thanks, Kirk". Dont see that much nowadays.Seems like alot of train stores act like they are doing you a favor to take your money. Still have a grudge for that company who helped K-line down the tubes. Hmmmmm..........who was that????........

jini5...I have great memories of dealing with Kirk.  Whether at York or on the phone with him at the store, Kirk always had a deal...and I too recall his handwritten message of "many thanks, Kirk" on the receipt

Great product.....their engines are reliable and great pullers.....

My A5, EP-5 and GG-1 are boxed up right now since I'm in transition.....but my RS-3 is available for work assignments.....

33490988-B905-4603-AEBE-12E27B410A6F

I do love their scale die-cast gondolas, too.

Here is my EP-5 pulling a mixed Weaver/MTH passenger train.....

Have a great and safe weekend, folks.....

Peter

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I only have 2 k-line engines,  and MP 15 in Pennsylvania that I bought for $50 at a swap meet and a NYC  Plymouth.  I also have 2 smoking cabooses, 20 cnw ore cars and 20 operating  hoppers cars in n&w, Erie,  Frisco and b&o. I like the ore cars because they're scale sized, the hoppers are scale length but not in the width, but they do look great.

I love K-line and was sad when they went out of business.  I have numerous freight and passenger cars by K line.  

My K line loco/motorized fleet consists of:  Pennsy A5 0-4-0 switcher, just purchased brand new in 2019 at a train show. IMG_8990

Pennsy MU motorized MU cars purchased brand new from a train shop.IMG_5418

B&O Plymouth switcher purchased used at at train show.fullsizeoutput_6e7

Kennecott Copper switcher purchased used on E bay.  I had to get this one because my Uncle Leon was a traffic manager for Kennecott Copper Corp.  :-)  Sorry I could only find a rear shot. IMG_0290

The A5 after its first phase of weathering fullsizeoutput_5bf

West Side Lumber Shay purchased from OGR's own Allan Miller. fullsizeoutput_5b9

B&O F3  A-B units purchased used at a train shop. fullsizeoutput_5ec

The A5 after I applied the second phase of weathering.  The A5 was my first attempt at weathering a locomotive.  I totally enjoyed the process! IMG_9124

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Oops, I forgot I had a box cab, and a Plymouth switcher in Pennsy colors. The box cab is sidelined with a bad bulb in one headlight (can’t change it out), and the Plymouth is a great little engine, but I’ve loaned it out to a museum out here that’s dedicated to ice harvesting techniques and early ice harvesting and so built a display for them with an Atlas ice house and loading dock, and a few Atlas reefers.

K-Line 742-8025 Kingan's Reliable Ham & Bacon reefer

One of a series of reefers - removable roof, 'ice' for bunkers and either swinging meat or boxes between the bunkers.

K-Line 767-1052 Foreman's Car

One of two Foreman Cars offered.  Smokes, lighted interior with men.

K-Line 767-1052 Foreman's Car

Foreman car in our work train.

K-Line B&O hvywt baggage

B&O heavyweight baggage car.  Lights on the floor and doors open.

K-Line C&O flat with two red track tractors

Crawler tractors on K-Line flat with sprung trucks.

K-Line cabooses 700 and 701

700 and 701 were commissioned by Western Depot in 1999.K-Line NYC Pullman heavyweightK-Mart SF trailer DTI K-Line flat

K-Mart trailer atop K-Line DT&I flat car.

K-Line T&P baggage carK-Line SF hvwt Terry #1K-Line hvywt messenger baggage 93

Repainted heavyweight baggage car with messenger window.

K-Line dining car

Dining car with lace curtains and shades.  Rough kitchen counters.

John

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  • K-Line 742-8025 Kingan's Reliable Ham & Bacon reefer
  • K-Line 767-1052 Foreman's Car
  • K-Line 767-1052 Foreman's Car
  • K-Line B&O hvywt baggage
  • K-Line C&O flat with two red track tractors
  • K-Line cabooses 700 and 701
  • K-Line NYC Pullman heavyweight
  • K-Mart SF trailer DTI K-Line flat
  • K-Line T&P baggage car
  • K-Line SF hvwt Terry #1
  • K-Line hvywt messenger baggage 93
  • K-Line dining car
Last edited by rattler21

I have several nice K-Line pieces that have survived my roster downsizing awhile back - the lone pair of locomotives include these beautiful PRR F3s and No 5344 Hudson. I can't locate photos of the F3s but here is the catalog image showing the beauty. I have two B units that both smoke. She is spectacular with all 4 units pouring smoke!

PRR F3

DSC03521

DSC03367

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  • PRR F3
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Last edited by c.sam
@c.sam posted:

I have several nice K-Line pieces that have survived my roster downsizing awhile back - the lone pair of locomotives include these beautiful PRR F3s and No 5344 Hudson. I can't locate photos of the F3s but here is the catalog image showing the beauty. I have two B units that both smoke. She is spectacular with all 4 units pouring smoke!

PRR F3

DSC03521

DSC03367

c.sam...I have the same F-3 ABA unit in Pennsy Green...also have same config in Santa Fe warbonnet.  When those units wind up, the roar is the best on the layout...

Last edited by Capetrainman
@jini5 posted:

I really miss K-line. I also miss Kirk (former owner of Justrains). I bought all my K-line from him. He had true blowouts. No one could compete with Justrains and K-line. I have alot of 21" passenger cars still sealed. I was constantly taking advantage of Justrains blowouts. Never will forget them good ole days. Kirk was always appreciative and would take the time to write on the receipt "many thanks, Kirk". Dont see that much nowadays.Seems like alot of train stores act like they are doing you a favor to take your money. Still have a grudge for that company who helped K-line down the tubes. Hmmmmm..........who was that????........

IDK why you are holding a grudge. K-Line was on shakey ground to begin with on thin profit margins, flooding markets with lots of product, and questionable technology - funny how they got EOB about 9-10  months AFTER the other guy developed and market it.

As another forumite eluded, I too believe K-Line would not have survived the 2008 Samhongsa fallout esp with their precarious finances.

IDK why you are holding a grudge. K-Line was on shakey ground to begin with on thin profit margins, flooding markets with lots of product, and questionable technology - funny how they got EOB about 9-10  months AFTER the other guy developed and market it.

As another forumite eluded, I too believe K-Line would not have survived the 2008 Samhongsa fallout esp with their precarious finances.

Lets be honest.  Every one of the O gauge producers have been in very precarious financial situations at least twice.  The exception may have been Louis Marx who retired with his company secrets after boning out various components of his toy empire that included many famous toys in addition to trains.

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OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

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