I have been looking at a few K-LIne passenger sets from 1997 and would appreciate any feedback. The engines (F-units) are described as: Dual motors, 8 wheel drive Quadra grip wheels 3 position electronic reversing unit Horn in the Alco “A” dummy unit Two Die cast Horns Continuous apron detail Accurately detail Alco trucks Operating front and rear lights Operating front coupler Roller pick-up Separate metal ladders and grab rails Thanks in advance Mark
I didn’t have K-line passenger cars but I had there hershey set with alco A & b unit and it was as strong as an ox with the dual motors and quad grip. only problem I had was getting the teather conected between the 2 as I have big fingers lol. but loved the set
As RT mentioned, little difficult putting the pieces together on the rails with the tether, but besides that, they are very strong pullers, well detailed, and durable. Only wish I had more than one set.
Dennis
F-units were made by EMD, not Alco.
If you’re talking the K-Line Alcos with twin horizontal cans in the trucks, they are good pullers and smooth runners as well. You don’t want to overload them as the can motors aren’t the larger variety and get hot easily.
If the cars are the O27 streamliners K-Line was doing then, they are in my opinion, better looking than most O27 streamline cars whether it be Lionel or MTH. They did a Texas Special that is nothing short of sweet.
John and others make a good point of clarification. It might be possible Crip is speaking in reference to the newly cataloged (in 1997 that is) F-7 diesels with the Heavyweight passenger cars. There was a Pennsy set cataloged as well as a Denver and Rio Grande set… well it wasn’t a complete set as the locos and the passenger cars were not boxed all together.
The key point is the phrase "continuous apron detail" which was used in the description of the Alco FA locomotives. This is because Lionel, which made a similar model loco, had a large cutaway, so that the shell easily goes on to the frame and over the front coupler.
Crip, all those K-Line passenger sets are first rate for the money. The Alco FA internally is pretty much the same components used for the K-Line MP-15 and S-2 switcher as well as the short lived K-Line Budd cars. The K-Line Alco FA’s did have more detailing and nicer paint than the Lionel version. In choosing between the two, K-Line is the winner. CTT agreed years ago in a review.
They are certainly reliable runners and dependable. Of course, the DC can motors will run fast if you use a typical Lionel transformer that puts a minimal 6-8 volts to the track. The key to running these locos slowly is to use either a Lionel 1033 at the B-U setting, or a modern transformer that starts with a more sensitive low voltage than 6-8 volts. OR you can wire the motors in series, which will decrease pulling power somewhat, but the locos will also run slower with a typical Lionel transformer.
Personally I like the smaller size of the Lionel passenger cars. But in all honestly, the K-Line steamliners are nicer with more detailing and the “streamlighting” illumination. The cars are around 13 inches long and can brush against the switch box housing of Lionel 027 switches, which is why I prefer the less detailed but shorter Lionel streamline 027 passenger cars.
The K-Line 027 FA’s aren’t as “jacked up” as the Lionel can motored FA’s as well.
Thanks everyone for the info. Yea I know Alcos were FAs, Ops! I looking at the#s 1732 &1732A Rocky Mountain Rocket Passenger set and the #1705 Missouri Pacific passenger set both made in 1997. I use 036 fastrack so I don’t see a clearance problem. Thanks again, Mark