Well i love all my grandfathers 40s and 50s stuff the best but they dont have the stuff that the new lionel stuff has powerful steam and sound. But i really love my mth steam that really has awsome sound and awsome steam
K-Line did have some issues a few years back with the assemblies on their heavyweight passenger cars, I had one that both trucks gave out during normal use. K-Line replaced the trucks but I had to pay for shipping it to them. Another one that K-Line had problems with is the semi-scale GG-1, again the truck assemblies fall apart. While K-Line had a problem with metal fatigue due to cheap metal being used on their trains, their 027 switches were much better than Lionel’s and you could get a wider engine or freight car thru a K-Line switch.
However K-Line usually acknowledged a problem and tried to correct it. Also K-Line tried a new form of track for running smaller trains on streets called Super Streets, K-Line came out with this just before ‘the Lion’ gobbled them up.
I have had a few problems with Lionel switches and Lionel Service Department told me they never heard of that before and would not attempt to do anything for me. That is MY REASON for being anti-Lionel!! However Williams said there was a problem with the Lionel switches by the number that I asked them about.
Lee F.
All bottom line “sets” have those type of cars and components … no matter who the manufacturer is … again " you get what you pay for " [2c] Buy your engines and cars seperately . The old days of the bullet proof lionel sets are gone forever … feel lucky if you own any .
Im going to add my two cents to this. Havent added any MTH to my roster yet but will soon, hopefully it works out. I used to be die hard Lionel but there’s a problem. When I was in the hobby awhile back u could get a nice plain jane loco for a lil over $100. Now ur paying $200+ for the same thing & the new ones arent any nicer than past ones in my opinion. Whats more, the lil guy like me cant afford $400+ for a TMCC or DCS loco plus the extras u need to run that fancy stuff. I love post war, MPC & up to the early 90s Lionel. I also love the older K-Line stuff I have too. Yes it may look cheap but until my nephew got hold of the transformer when I wasnt home, my old MP-15 was one of my best runners. Also like Williams, hard to beat the price for what u get, especially now w/bells & horn/whistle. Atlas-cant say, dont have any of that either. Far as Weaver goes, outstanding. Best part about them is atleast some of the work is done only miles from me in Northumberland, Pa. I know a couple guys there thru a friend & because they are local & right here in the US of A is why I’ll be adding more of their products to my collection. Yes I know the boards & most components are made across the big pond, but I have to support what AMERICAN production we have. I heard a rumor at a shop that Lionel was bringing some of their work back here soon. If they do, I’ll be buying some Lionel too.
I was going to buy the Yuengling set too but after seeing the engine up close it just reeked of “el cheapo”. From what I know of Dick Yuengling & the company I dont think they chose K-Line, I think K-Line might have approached them. In either case for what the loco & cars were selling for I think the quality could have been better. I could be wrong tho.
Lionel and Williams some K-Line is excellent. I have had problems of one kind or another with 80% of my MTH so their engines are off my shopping list.
The company that gives you a “lifetime, return to factory warranty.” [tup]
If you like tinkering and working on stuff, post war Lionel would be my choice. It’s pretty bullet proof, there is a lot of it around and parts are readily available.
this is what I think The Lionel,Williams and Atlas O stuff is great runs very smooth and if I have had any problems they were pretty simple too fix. K-Line stuff is hit and miss some stuff is great but other stuff is bad.For MTH I’ve had way too many problems with the engines that I don’t think they are even worth it anymore.this is what I think as far as what you should do I think it all comes in personal Opinion on what you like.