I recall that K-Line had something proprietary about their whistles. I have a K-Line whistle controller that doesn’t do squat for post war Lionel whistles, but for a K-Line, it triggers every time.
That looks really good, it is nice to see the old molds were re-used at least for a while. I noticed the box art has a problem, the locomotive's trailing truck is derailed.
Kline bought some of the Marx molds, including the molds of the 333. Al Osterud once burned out a motor on his kline version of the 333 because he was using an old school transformer and replaced the motor with a Marx 333 motor. The circuit breakers in old school transformers don't react fast enough, and the circuit board in the locos can burn out.
I have always been fearful of those old circuit breakers on my ZW! That’s why I installed 5 amp circuit breakers from Dallee Electronics, and they are fast!
Great find. K-line was doing phenomenal things for the budget railroader. The set you have represents many significant things about K-line. The locomotive is indeed based on the venerable Marx 333 but given modern updates so as to compete with lower end Luonel and MTH. The Super Snap track system was a collaboration with Aristocraft to bring an affordable Super-O like track to the general public. I have a bit myself and hope to build a layout with it one day. I'm not quite sure about the boxcar and log car but they are well made. The caboose is definitely of Kusan heritage. That transformer. That beautiful powerful transformer sadly was the beginning of the end for K-line. Long story short, K-line had hired a couple of former Lionel engineers who may or may not have deliberately infringed on copyrighted material in designing that transformer. It was and still is superior to the CW-80. Lionel sued and eventually gained control of and shut down K-line for good. A tremendous loss for the budget railroader. Enjoyed the video immensely. You enjoy that set!
I bought this same K-Line NYC set form Hobby Lobby on a big discount ~2007/2008 (think I paid ~$125). There was also a similar Lackawanna set: when I purchased that, I sold on the NYC set. K-Line made great stuff: I really miss them.
On the K-line whistle and bell controller. There are two kinds that I know of; one has another adapter for added power and the other does not have the extra power adapter. If your's has a place for a power adapter, or if someone cut off that part, then that is the reason it does not work. Otherwise be sure the wires are to the right part of the track. These operate on a DC voltage signal on a normal MTH transformer I tested today. It is negative volts for the whistle and positive volts for the bell. Sorry I have my K-line controller in hard to get at place, so it might be different. But I do know in some the standard whistle controller will not work them Depending on the time they were built many of the K-line units will only work with the K-line activator and not other brands whistle controllers. However I have no time line when that happened but have experience both in my collection.
@@OldFrailandDecrepit It seems a bit odd but the prices for K-Line starter sets are way over priced on eBay. $200 or more. IMHO most K-Line sets worth half that. Not that they are bad, but simply don't have resell value. Seems the few sales on the bay allows for high asking prices.
Nice set looks in mint condition. That is interesting that your 3017 is from the Marx 333. I have a earlier k-line similar to your 3017 it is a Erie 3005. Came with just engine and tender and a control switch box to operate bell and whistle in tender. I hooked up the switch could not get tender to make any sound, but the 3005 works and smokes. I got that from Cabin Fever Auctions. I don't recommend that particular auction because they don't test any of there auction items and all sales final no returns and refunds. I ended up with a like new Lionel Trainmaster Southern Pacific that I found out the two pullmor motors the worm gear does not engage to the trucks, so motors runs but locomotive wont move. Also Cabin Fever shipping is costly I paid $80 for them to ship me four locomotives.
On the K-line whistle and bell controller. There are two kinds that I know of; one has another adapter for added power and the other does not have the extra power adapter. If your's has a place for a power adapter, or if someone cut off that part, then that is the reason it does not work. Otherwise be sure the wires are to the right part of the track.These operate on a DC voltage signal on a normal MTH transformer I tested today. It is negative volts for the whistle and positive volts for the bell. Sorry I have my K-line controller in hard to get at place, so it might be different. But I do know in some the standard whistle controller will not work them. Depending on the time they were built many of the K-line units will only work with the K-line activator and not other brands whistle controllers. However I have no time line when that happened but have experience both in my collection. Only got the whistle to work on a unique steamer that used a plug like headphone plug from the tender to the engine cab to work on the official K-line powered add on whistle bell controller. All of the other K-line are either plugged to the engine with a flat plug, or powered off the track. I have a nice more modern dual pullmore motor unit and one of the wheel sets does not work, opened it up and looked inside the place where the armature worm gear turns the gear on the bottom and that other gear was cracked. Plastic gear.... Can be fixed but the wheel will need to be removed at leas the center one and have a new gear pressed on. Other option will be to change out the motor set with a good one, or use it with the one motor armature removed until the other gear cracks. I oped to buy two motor sets and plan on replacing them that way. Problem is the original motor set does not seam to be available, and the ones I got will run and work OK but it does not have the speed sensor and the one on mine runs off a side wobble of the center wheel. Now I did buy this engine knowing it was not fully working and the price was low. I was not expecting this deep of a problem. Why Lionel used a plastic gear in the toughest spot is just so wrong, on a engine that retailed for around $300 - $400 dollars.
Many of the K-line average rail cars are from Kusan molds as well. The better rail cars have spring action trucks, and can't place a former maker of them.
Awesome set for a terrific price Dave! Don’t fret too much over the K-Line engine not smoking well - NONE of my K-Line steamers are good smokers, they only put out thin wisps of smoke.
That is a cool, little set. I saw the bell button on the transformer. Does it work? The locomotive is certainly the same casting as the Marx 333, but somewhat updated. Very nice, indeed. An excellent video, as always.
Great set Dave. They operate so smoothy and are great locomotives with a great heritage. Thanks for sharing your new set. -Steve
I always wanted that set when I was younger
I like that it's able to run so slow and smooth.
Great set good deal always fun to combine different brands. Thanx for sharing, Sam
I recall that K-Line had something proprietary about their whistles. I have a K-Line whistle controller that doesn’t do squat for post war Lionel whistles, but for a K-Line, it triggers every time.
Kline made some nice trains!
That looks really good, it is nice to see the old molds were re-used at least for a while. I noticed the box art has a problem, the locomotive's trailing truck is derailed.
Good eye! I guess it gives that touch of reality to the box art.
Kline bought some of the Marx molds, including the molds of the 333. Al Osterud once burned out a motor on his kline version of the 333 because he was using an old school transformer and replaced the motor with a Marx 333 motor. The circuit breakers in old school transformers don't react fast enough, and the circuit board in the locos can burn out.
I have always been fearful of those old circuit breakers on my ZW! That’s why I installed 5 amp circuit breakers from Dallee Electronics, and they are fast!
@@OldFrailandDecrepit Glad to hear that.
Great find. K-line was doing phenomenal things for the budget railroader. The set you have represents many significant things about K-line. The locomotive is indeed based on the venerable Marx 333 but given modern updates so as to compete with lower end Luonel and MTH. The Super Snap track system was a collaboration with Aristocraft to bring an affordable Super-O like track to the general public. I have a bit myself and hope to build a layout with it one day. I'm not quite sure about the boxcar and log car but they are well made. The caboose is definitely of Kusan heritage. That transformer. That beautiful powerful transformer sadly was the beginning of the end for K-line. Long story short, K-line had hired a couple of former Lionel engineers who may or may not have deliberately infringed on copyrighted material in designing that transformer. It was and still is superior to the CW-80. Lionel sued and eventually gained control of and shut down K-line for good. A tremendous loss for the budget railroader. Enjoyed the video immensely. You enjoy that set!
I really like the look of Super Snap track! If it came in 031 and 027 I would use it on my layout.
I bought this same K-Line NYC set form Hobby Lobby on a big discount ~2007/2008 (think I paid ~$125). There was also a similar Lackawanna set: when I purchased that, I sold on the NYC set. K-Line made great stuff: I really miss them.
It's still around now owned by Lionel.
On the K-line whistle and bell controller. There are two kinds that I know of; one has another adapter for added power and the other does not have the extra power adapter. If your's has a place for a power adapter, or if someone cut off that part, then that is the reason it does not work. Otherwise be sure the wires are to the right part of the track. These operate on a DC voltage signal on a normal MTH transformer I tested today. It is negative volts for the whistle and positive volts for the bell. Sorry I have my K-line controller in hard to get at place, so it might be different. But I do know in some the standard whistle controller will not work them
Depending on the time they were built many of the K-line units will only work with the K-line activator and not other brands whistle controllers. However I have no time line when that happened but have experience both in my collection.
Nice remake of the Marx 333 - gotta get me 1 of those~! LOL
Thanks for posting, keep up the good videos.
I looked a long time before I found one I could afford.
@@OldFrailandDecrepit It seems a bit odd but the prices for K-Line starter sets are way over priced on eBay. $200 or more.
IMHO most K-Line sets worth half that.
Not that they are bad, but simply don't have resell value. Seems the few sales on the bay allows for high asking prices.
Nice set looks in mint condition. That is interesting that your 3017 is from the Marx 333. I have a earlier k-line similar to your 3017 it is a Erie 3005. Came with just engine and tender and a control switch box to operate bell and whistle in tender. I hooked up the switch could not get tender to make any sound, but the 3005 works and smokes. I got that from Cabin Fever Auctions. I don't recommend that particular auction because they don't test any of there auction items and all sales final no returns and refunds. I ended up with a like new Lionel Trainmaster Southern Pacific that I found out the two pullmor motors the worm gear does not engage to the trucks, so motors runs but locomotive wont move. Also Cabin Fever shipping is costly I paid $80 for them to ship me four locomotives.
On the K-line whistle and bell controller. There are two kinds that I know of; one has another adapter for added power and the other does not have the extra power adapter. If your's has a place for a power adapter, or if someone cut off that part, then that is the reason it does not work. Otherwise be sure the wires are to the right part of the track.These operate on a DC voltage signal on a normal MTH transformer I tested today. It is negative volts for the whistle and positive volts for the bell. Sorry I have my K-line controller in hard to get at place, so it might be different. But I do know in some the standard whistle controller will not work them. Depending on the time they were built many of the K-line units will only work with the K-line activator and not other brands whistle controllers. However I have no time line when that happened but have experience both in my collection. Only got the whistle to work on a unique steamer that used a plug like headphone plug from the tender to the engine cab to work on the official K-line powered add on whistle bell controller. All of the other K-line are either plugged to the engine with a flat plug, or powered off the track. I have a nice more modern dual pullmore motor unit and one of the wheel sets does not work, opened it up and looked inside the place where the armature worm gear turns the gear on the bottom and that other gear was cracked. Plastic gear.... Can be fixed but the wheel will need to be removed at leas the center one and have a new gear pressed on. Other option will be to change out the motor set with a good one, or use it with the one motor armature removed until the other gear cracks. I oped to buy two motor sets and plan on replacing them that way. Problem is the original motor set does not seam to be available, and the ones I got will run and work OK but it does not have the speed sensor and the one on mine runs off a side wobble of the center wheel. Now I did buy this engine knowing it was not fully working and the price was low. I was not expecting this deep of a problem. Why Lionel used a plastic gear in the toughest spot is just so wrong, on a engine that retailed for around $300 - $400 dollars.
Lionel finally got even with Marx/K Line it's owned by Lionel.
That is a phenomenal deal and this was a great video
Many of the K-line average rail cars are from Kusan molds as well. The better rail cars have spring action trucks, and can't place a former maker of them.
Very nice set, and a great deal to boot! I don't know if it's just not coming through on the camera, but it doesn't seem to be much of a smoker.
I just ran my 333, it smokes circles around the K-Line loco. Makes me wonder if there is something wrong with the smoker on my 3017.
Cool set and very quiet. Thanks for the comparison!
Awesome set for a terrific price Dave! Don’t fret too much over the K-Line engine not smoking well - NONE of my K-Line steamers are good smokers, they only put out thin wisps of smoke.
Loco looks great and runs well. I agree with everyone else, K line had some really nice stuff and really good prices. Sorry that they are gone.
Shoee... , that cattle car is a rare bird, I likem.
That makes 4 of them that I have. Usually I have to pay extra for them.
That is a cool, little set. I saw the bell button on the transformer. Does it work? The locomotive is certainly the same casting as the Marx 333, but somewhat updated. Very nice, indeed. An excellent video, as always.
Don’t know about the bell button, my locomotive isn’t equipped with the bell sound.
HOLY CRAP I HAVE NEVER SEEN A PACEMAKER TRAIN SET BEFORE I have a pacemaker boxcar. But for some reason I thought that was just a one-off thing.
It’s the only one I’ve ever seen!
looks great very nice condition gotta get lucky once in awhile