[Krieglok]

I have been picking up multiples of K-Line and Lionel diecast hoppers in both Erie and B&O roadnames. They are beautiful cars with excellent details, including coal loads, metal everything and sprung trucks. The K-Line versions seem to be almost exactly the same as the Lionel cars.

Now, besides being a major PITA to remove from the their foam cradles in the factory packaging, except the K-line versions, why do they seem unpopular?

Some are on eBay for $60-$70 each, but most are in the $30-$35 dollar range. I bought a number of them from one dealer and paid a very low shipping cost.

They are very heavy, probably a bit too heavy, but they seem pretty rugged. Just curious…

Tom

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

I think one reason that diecast rolling stock is not wildly popular is the weight impacts how many cars you can pull, especially if you have grades.

 

[arkady]

I think one reason that diecast rolling stock is not wildly popular is the weight impacts how many cars you can pull, especially if you have grades.

I think this is correct. I have several of the diecast hoppers, and although they're beautiful cars, they are very heavy.

 

[Lee Willis]

I love the diecast hoppers. I have a dozen diecast cars and they make for a heavy train all by themselves.

 

[beachhead2]

I like them too. I have a set of four K-Line Peabody Coal, a set of three Lionel MoPac, and couple Lionel singles: Wabash and Illinois Terminal.

 

[Bryan Moran]

I didn't know they were diecast but that explains the weight. I have 2 in Rock Island and I know TRAINZ purchased a large ROCK ISLAND collection about 3 months ago and has been putting them on eBay for $22 to $35, most of those do not have boxes.

I like them but I don't need anymore. I prefer to run box cars and hoppers. Iowa had some coal fields but overall I am not interested in more.

But for you eastern road names folks these would be great. Heavy, but appropriate for your area.

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

I have perhaps a dozen diecast cars, I know I have three or four of the K-Line coil cars that are diecast, and a few hoppers as well.

 

[Millstonemike]

You need Williams dual motor diesels to pull them.

 

[Norton]

Most all of my diecast cars are reproductions of Lionel’s pre war scale cars. Lionel did them around 1991, then MTH, K-Line, and Williams did a set. K-Lines and MTH’s are diecast. Williams are brass. They all used the molds to make cars lettered for other roads or companies in the case of tank cars.

Pete

 

[seayakbill]

The K-Line diecast hoppers are very nice and very heavy. I think I ended up with about 22 of the heavy critters. When I run all of them I usually have 2 diesels on the lead and another in the center of the consist. It does make for an impressive freight train.

Bill

 

[Krieglok]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I figured the excessive weight had something to do with them being inexpensive, in general, on the train market.

I have a couple trains of Erie and B&O in these models. I am figuring around ten would be the limit for a large steamer or multiple diesels. Mixed with some MTH plastic cars, I hope to run a train of about 20 cars…

Tom

 

[Big Ed]

You say all metal, are the coal loads metal too?

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

I have a couple trains of Erie and B&O in these models. I am figuring around ten would be the limit for a large steamer or multiple diesels. Mixed with some MTH plastic cars, I hope to run a train of about 20 cars…

You might be surprised. A large articulated steamer can haul a lot of cars, probably at least 20-25 diecast cars. My Vision Line Big Boy pulled 70 cars around the layout at Harry's place without breaking a sweat, and that includes several grades. I'm pulled a dozen diecast cars with my upgraded Phantom locomotive.

 

[Krieglok]

You say all metal, are the coal loads metal too?

They might be. I was going to try and remove one to see. I could run an empty coal train if they are lighter with out the loads…

You might be surprised. A large articulated steamer can haul a lot of cars, probably at least 20-25 diecast cars. My Vision Line Big Boy pulled 70 cars around the layout at Harry's place without breaking a sweat, and that includes several grades. I'm pulled a dozen diecast cars with my upgraded Phantom locomotive.

I have a couple big Erie engines, the 0-8-8-0 and a Triplex that could handle them. I will just have to experiment when I have the grades figured out to see what can pull what…

Tom

 

[seayakbill]

You say all metal, are the coal loads metal too?

I am pretty sure the coal loads are plastic, been quite awhile since I have had them out of their tubs.

Bill

 

[Lehigh74]

You say all metal, are the coal loads metal too?

I don't have any Lionel diecast hoppers, but the K-Line and MTH diecast hoppers have plastic loads.

 

[Big Ed]

OK, I was just wondering as I never saw any but plastic loads.
If they were metal it would add to the total weight too.
Nice looking car & load.

 

[Millstonemike]

OK, I was just wondering as I never saw any but plastic loads.
If they were metal it would add to the total weight too.
Nice looking car & load.

I was thinking thin sheet metal. Like coal in a tinplate tender but with modern, realistic stamping. That would have been fairly lightweight.

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

I suspect that a plastic mold is far cheaper than a metal stamping. Remember, then they have to get a realistic coal load painted on it like the old Marx lithograph stuff. Nowadays, that's not nearly as cheap as plastic molds.

 

[Big Ed]

I think the load in the first picture Tom posted looks great.
The whole car looks great.