Budget Railroading: K-Line Reading GP-39. A Good Deal or a Great Dud? Part 1

[@huntercoleman460]

Great looking diesel Dave.

[@dagryffynhobby]

Thanks! I like it.

[@stevenmiller5696]

Great looking engine. We are all pulling for you that u will get it running like the rest of your fleet, we know when u get the time it will run

[@dagryffynhobby]

I am determined to get it moving!

[@johnschultz9023]

I prefer the older stuff that didn't rely on electronics to work.

[@dagryffynhobby]

It sure is easier that way!

[@TwistedMacGyversTrains]

It’s a good looking diesel! I would just upgrade the electronics or just have it run conventionally in forward by adding a bridge rectifier. That’s what I did for two of my Williams locomotives that the boards were fried. It’s still a great find Dave! Frank

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

Well, this is "The Dark Side" of current production units, all those electronics under the hood that can last for 20+ yers or blow tomorrow, which it true of anything with printed circuit boards in them, trust me. ( Imagine being an astronaut and betting your life on those things!) I've had excellent results with Dallee Electronics conventional control replacement boards and can give them a hearty "Thumbs up!"

[@TwistedMacGyversTrains]

I’ve heard a lot about them but I’ve never used them before. Really appreciate the insight and I will pick up a couple Dallee boards for my Williams FM TrainMasters. Thank you Wayne! Frank

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

@@TwistedMacGyversTrains You're welcome!

[@dagryffynhobby]

Thanks. I’m not sure what I’m going to do yet but I’ve been looking at it and it may not be the board that’s the problem.

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

All of my K- Line diesel locos and my steam engine 🚂 have had problems.

[@OldcampRanch]

Unintentional? Lol, can’t tell you how many times, I unintentionally won an eBay auction. Looks like this one is a fun purchase 👍🏻

[@dagryffynhobby]

It does happen. Maybe more than some would expect! “I was just looking and my finger slipped!” Lol

[@PhilBender612]

Put err cruise commander board in it

[@dagryffynhobby]

That’s an option

[@nicholasstanziola]

The reverse units in these are actually quite stoudt, and are fully repairable, down to the component level, with common parts. I or another hobbyist can help you if that becomes necessary. Check your gears and wheels. I've had some brand new, old stock, K Lines from that era with swollen and broken zinc parts. As usual, they ran perfectly once I replaced the damaged parts. They can be tricky to find, but parts are out there.

[@dagryffynhobby]

Thanks. I’ve taken a step back and started inspecting all the wiring and found a couple problems. Hopefully fixing them will get it going.

[@nicholasstanziola]

@dagryffynhobby that's good news. I never cared for the way wires are sometimes attached to points on boards. Similarly, "old" K-Line simply used masking tape to cover splices. I guess it saved the cost of a few small wire nuts, but the adhesive gets old and the tape falls off.

[@htssoutboardsboatstrains9784]

Fun video :) Did something similar.... but that K-line looks really nice :) I've learned the hard way to always start looking for issues with the trucks and side plates, if the motors are getting power chances are the electronics are fine. AND every one I've had with issues had issues either with side plates or dirt or gummy grease in the gears. :(

[@dagryffynhobby]

Oh I’ve gotten into the trucks and the one is bad!! Ordered a part and hopefully it will be ok when rebuilt. I like the way they made these trucks, you can really get in there to clean them.

[@northpennvalleysteamrailroad]

Great video!

[@dagryffynhobby]

Thanks!

[@rexxumus]

With the way the trucks come apart, the worm gear will be easy to clean without having to press out the axels. If the e-unit is bad, soldering in a new one is childs play. This looks like an easy fix, and a good purchase! Can't wait to see the next installment!

[@dagryffynhobby]

Found a few issues with wiring and one of the brass worm gears. Lots of work ahead of me!

[@mypugsdad5366]

You made a great buy. If you have to make it a forward only - But I am sure you can fix it be repairing the reverse board - I just think you make great videos. Thanks for them, keep them up.

[@dagryffynhobby]

Thank you so much. I’ll get it going one way or another!!

[@genemanno1533]

Honestly for 100 bucks I’d not be pleased. But I’ve stayed away from electronics because not fixable by me & it scares me. Like magic voo do. Seller possibly says running but not how well. Like buying use car, I stay away from anything I know possibly or will have issues too big to justify purchase. Thanks for sharing even though it’s not a good experience. 😊

[@dagryffynhobby]

Understandable. I’ve been weary of the electronics as well but that’s also a good reason for me to start messing with it. I guess I do enjoy dealing with these issues as well. I don’t mind having to fix these things I just don’t want to double the price of the engine having to buy parts!

[@genemanno1533]

If you have electronics knowledge and feel comfortable then fine. I do not and would make problem even worse trying to guess my way through it. So I’ll just stick with wiring, motors, sanding, cleaning, painting, and mechanical pieces. That pretty much covers the post war Lionel trains.😊

[@dagryffynhobby]

@@genemanno1533 that’s what so great about this hobby, there is something for everyone. I can’t say I’m comfortable with electronics on the component level, but I guess I have to learn sometime!

[@agenttexx]

$100 + shipping? Based on pricing on eBay, that seems to be a decent price. I see the Kline GP38s priced between $100-$350. I picked up my Lionel SP GP9s for around $180 each and picked up a Lionel SP GP20 for $140 at Christmas. If the problems can all be fixed and you can find replacement parts, then yeah, that's a great deal.

[@dagryffynhobby]

I’m still set on fixing it. I have a part on order and I may rewire the whole thing. We will see

[@w.rustylane5650]

You called it a GP-39 but to me it looks more like a GP-38-2. I have a Williams 2-8-2 true O scale I was gonna make into the famous #4501 but it's really too large for the rest of my Lionel 027 engines & rolling stock 'cause 027 I found out is really S scale 1/64th. So I've decided to sell it. Want it for $200.00 + shipping? I got it a couple of years ago in never ran condition. Cheers from eastern TN

[@dagryffynhobby]

I would barely know the difference between a geep and a jeep! lol. It has GP-39-2 stamped on the cab, so I guess that’s what it is 🤷‍♂️ Thanks for the offer, but I’ll pass. Sounds like a nice engine though.

[@GuntersGarage]

Its a good looking engine! Shame it has some issues. I hope to see an update as you figure it out.

[@dagryffynhobby]

Hopefully I’ll get some good time to work on it this weekend

[@tomrogers5516]

Not the best surprise inside the box this time. I'm sure that you'll overcome this glitch, Dave. Just needs a little familiarization with the circuit boards and patience. When you get goin', you always get things right, Dave. I don't think this will be any different. Looking forward to the next chapter.

[@dagryffynhobby]

Thanks. I’m not disappointed, yet. It will force me out of my comfort zone. Learning is good

[@naxshack]

Great looking Geep, Dave! Cool vid!

[@dagryffynhobby]

Thanks. I really like the look of it

[@stephendrivick840]

Shame....it's a good looking loco. Hope you get it running

[@dagryffynhobby]

Oh I will, one way or another. Just hopefully without having to spend a bunch of money!

[@MMID303]

I don't know enough about modern electronics to help lol. You could always just turn it into a dummy unit to pull behind another engine.

[@dagryffynhobby]

I don’t either! I’ll get it running one way or another

[@rennethjarrett4580]

Dave from you testing here in the video and the running or not running I can guess the reverse board is OK, it is also a relay type so not as pron to burnt out power transistors but I would not push it with a motor or truck not working well. On the K-line and a few others; there is a flat spot on the brass bearings for that center gear that meets with the worm gear, be sure it is seated right before putting it back together. My problem I had with the motors of that Reo Grande RS-3 was that someone put the wrong oil in them and got it on the brushes as well making them short out and spark a lot. (conductive oil) That shorting out is probably what burnt out those power transistors on that reverse board. Once you have the truck and motor working well, if you can heat up carefully those spots on the reverse board in that brown area with a solder iron. They might be burnt due to a former problem or a poor solder job from the factory.

[@dagryffynhobby]

Yeah I’ve stepped back and started with the basics. Cleaning one of the trucks out I found an obliterated brass gear. Part on order. I’m also thinking it’s a continuity issue somewhere, the relays kept clicking, I’ve started going over all the wires one by one. Found one broken one. Hopefully I can get back at it soon.

[@edwardmccreery6392]

Been there - done that with the ‘just one small bid’. Looking forward to the next video on it.

[@dagryffynhobby]

Just one more dollar! Haha

[@jimmelchin1531]

I'm fully confident you can get her rolling again. 👍 She is a beauty !

[@dagryffynhobby]

Thanks so much.

[@Gregtrainmaster]

take out the boards put in a ac to dc rectifier you wont have cool sounds but it will run fine

[@dagryffynhobby]

That’s an option. No decision made yet.

[@LDRtrains]

Never throw out the original boxes…..

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

I don't know, as far as I'm concerned it's an "It depends" situation. If it's an engine box AND it's in good condition or better I keep it. If it's a piece of postwar rolling stock and it's got the original box I'd keep that. Engine boxes are the only boxes I keep now because I just don't have the room otherwise. All the other rolling stock I've got? By the time they're worth heavy money I'll be dead anyway!

[@LDRtrains]

@@wayneantoniazzi2706 Your not thinking of saving the history and the originality for others that come after you. It’s always best to keep things as they were originally .

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

@@LDRtrains I've thought about it plenty, in addition to which I visit train shows frequently and see which way the wind's blowing as far as pricing and demand is concerned. Not trying to get into a pissing contest here but you do what you think is right for you, I'll do what's right for me. And I DO care about history, I've been a studen of the same for 50+ years.

[@LDRtrains]

@@wayneantoniazzi2706 so have I .

[@dagryffynhobby]

The foam is falling apart and I don’t need the box. I don’t care about this units value, it’s messed up anyway. It’s more important not to force our opinions on others. Different strokes for different folks.

[@williamsantangelo]

You'll fix her I'm shure! TU see yah

[@dagryffynhobby]

Thanks. I sure hope so!

[@DRCRailroard]

Dang Dave, It looked like a pretty sweet deal. From where I'm at, you still came out ahead on the deal. I mostly buy older AC motored engines for the obvious reasons, but I find myself starting to get a good collection of can motored electronic models also. I had a similar experience happen on one of the first ones I bought and make it a habit to open up the electronic models and inspect them before running for the first time. I have caught about a half dozen issues. It seems to be my experience that newer electronic engines are more prone to wiring issues, especially with previous owners making repairs without having a clue what they're doing or things coming loose in shipping. One of the Williams Milwaukee Road Trainmaster engines I bought that was like new and never ran before had one of the older Williams reverse boards that were prone to failure go out during a run session. I ended up buying another Canadian Pacific Trainmaster engine that was in a similar like new condition to the Milwaukee Road model only with the newer relay style board for less than the reverse board itself. Now I'm looking for a reverse board for the CP model that I never wanted in the first place, but now that I have it, it's in too good of condition, not to reapair it and it turns out I just can not fix something that needs fixin. It's a real dilemma. Isn't this hobby fun? I saw that Gunrunner John sold the Williams boards for $20.00 when he has them when upgrading his to CCC. You might check with him. Trainz sells the Williams boards for $76.00. I paid less than that for an entire like new Trainmaster engine, although I have seen the boards online for a lot less. I, too, have bought a significant amount of stuff online over the years with excellent results and only got burnt twice out of hundreds. I'm really amazed at how good the overall experience has been. I'm glad you mentioned it as it's worth noting for those who may have reservations.

[@dagryffynhobby]

I really should get in the habit of servicing every single item before even putting it on the track but I am just so impatient! The older stuff sure is easier, but I guess I’m ready for the challenge. Parts are usually too expensive. I’d rather buy a whole item too, then you have more to work with. I can’t buy a freight car truck for $10 but I can buy a complete car for $10. Go figure.

[@DRCRailroard]

I know, right. I find all parts in general have increased substantially from 4 years ago. It's made It so difficult to justify making even the simplest repairs because sellers are all asking for a premium for everything they sell that it doesn't take much to get upside down on the investment.

[@mr.shadestrains6033]

🚂😎👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@dagryffynhobby]

👍

[@dennis2494]

You are very fortunate that you live in an area where you can get some advice from other great hobbyist's like Nick if you run into trouble , hopefully the damaged truck or axle will be the only problem and a few inexpensive replacement parts will get it up and running. It's all part of the fun and learning.

[@dagryffynhobby]

I’m enjoying it so far. And yeah, if I need to do any kind of upgrade, Nick will totally help. I’ve got some service and repairs to do before I condemn the board, even though it’s not looking good.

[@dennis2494]

I fried a few boards on a Lionel SD90 Mac TMCC engine from the year 2000, It cost me almost as much as a new engine to have it repaired and now the sounds are generic diesel and not specific to that engine.@@dagryffynhobby 2

[@RichardEngle-pu3fz]

Can't wait for round 2😊

[@dagryffynhobby]

Me either!

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

Dave it looks like you did what I would have suggested, dismount the motors and trucks to check for free movement of the same. You could very well have an electronics issue but certainly don't discount a mechanical one. If that e-unit / rectifier board's bad you can check with parts dealers and see if maybe-possibly there's a replacement avaiable. If not a drop-in e-unit board from Dallee Electronics will work just fine but I don't know how well it'll mate with the sound board. Last resort would be do some measuring and see if you can mount the Reading shell (Which looks nice!) on a Williams frame, I've done that myself. And of course you can get on the "Hot Line" to Nick! Good luck!

[@dagryffynhobby]

So many options! I have decided to go back to basics and give it a real good cleaning and service. I found a worn gear and a broken wire, so I’m going to go over it carefully before making any definitive judgement. I’m sure Nick would love for me to throw an MTH board in it but I’m not ready for that yet. I’ll get it going one way or another.

[@DennisLove-ee3zy]

Google, each one of the circuits that's in the burnt area on the board. Look up the values for each one. Take your own meter and check and make sure that they're hitting those values if they're not. Or they're burnt open. Just order those circuits online. They're usually fairly cheap and Sautter. The mendier board and wa la it's fixed have a great day😊

[@dagryffynhobby]

Thanks for the tips. I thought it was the relays but I think I was wrong. I’ll have to do what you recommend and see if I can isolate the issue.

[@kylewalker2160]

It looked great. Hoping you can get it up and running while learning some new stuff in the process. Eager for your next updates.

[@dagryffynhobby]

Thanks. That’s the plan!

[@PedrotheOscalecollector]

I had the same problem you had. The board was bad, so I had it upgraded to protosound 3.0

[@dagryffynhobby]

Making the best out of it, I like it.

[@PedrotheOscalecollector]

@@dagryffynhobby that good I liked that k line Engine

[@Ed-ICE-Berg]

Oh the suspense!

[@dagryffynhobby]

Sorry! 😆

[@Ed-ICE-Berg]

😅