Kato/Peco Announce FR Locos in 009! (confirmed!)

[PaulRhB]

3 minutes ago, Roy Langridge said:

 

The issue is the loco is tiny - that "substantial trough" probably isn't  that big in the flesh. I am hoping to be proven wrong.

 

Roy

I’ve fitted a Zimo decoder down the side of a Minitrains motor, hidden with a driver. 

 

and the smaller mx616 inside an N gauge shunters cab 

 

I don’t think the England will be as tight as either  

[Ryde-on-time]

This Ebay pre-order ad came up on my Ebay home page

 

Gives the release date as 28/2 in Japan 

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pre-Order-KATO-Narrow-gauge-KATO-PECO-OO-9-Small-England-Princess-Red-51-201A-/275172140739?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0

[ExplosiveCookie]

Kato have posted to their Twitter today, and the translation provided states "to be released simultaneously in Japan and the UK in March" - so fingers crossed we should see them sometime next month!

 

https://twitter.com/kato_team/status/1494582882274525186

[MrTea]

The photos look very nice:

 

[MrTea]

The Peco FR England got a run out on Bron Hebog at Model Rail Scotland and Rob was impressed with its performance:

http://bronhebog.blogspot.com/2022/02/england-in-scotland.html

 

I’m very tempted but I think I’ll need to get some help getting the DCC provision sorted out. 

[SomethingTrainLover]

A look at the packaging has been revealed along with a mass production sample of both Englands. They've also reaffirmed the March release/shipping estimate, along with a link to a new dedicated 009 Kato website.

Exploring the website a bit, there's actually a section where they've got a x-ray CAD mockup where they think a DCC coder can be installed, and a CAD drawing page with some measurements for the separately available chassis block.

 

Edited February 28, 2022 by SomethingTrainLover

[MrTea]

Saw a decorated sample in the flesh at the Basingstoke MRS today. Very nice it is too!

 

 

According to the guys on the Peco stand they are ‘in the air’ and due into shops in the next couple of weeks. 

[Fair Oak Junction]

The locos are now in stock at the Ffestiniog railway: https://festrail.mybigcommerce.com/modelling/peco/england-locomotives/

Still a couple of weeks out for other retailers by the look of it.

 

Edited March 18, 2022 by Obsidian Quarry

[rembrow]

Rails update states they are expecting them early next week.

[BlueLightning]

 Based on my email from Peco we are expecting them early next week at my shop, so I would be surprised if it's any different for anywhere else

[SR71]

21 hours ago, Obsidian Quarry said:

The locos are now in stock at the Ffestiniog railway: https://festrail.mybigcommerce.com/modelling/peco/england-locomotives/

Still a couple of weeks out for other retailers by the look of it.

 

That's a nice gesture from a manufacturer giving loco owner first dibs.

[Bob2407]

14 hours ago, rembrow said:

Rails update states they are expecting them early next week.

So Hattons should have them in around the same time?

Edited March 19, 2022 by Bob2407
Typo

[Tony_S]

Decoder fitting started. The body comes off easily!

Edited April 5, 2022 by Tony_S

[PaulRhB]

There have been a few issues with the packaging being so loose meaning bits come unclipped. Peco are aware and will address the issue with Kato for subsequent batches

 

Getting in is simple easing the chassis out with a small screwdriver here, on each side

 

tender split pickup is neat

 

I had to clip the motor retainer back in here as the motor was loose. 

 

Overall very pleased though and the sprue acting as an insertion tool for the additional knobs on the tender and sandboxes is neat and clever. 
 

[didcot]

1 hour ago, Tony_S said:

Decoder fitting started. The body comes off easily!

I'd be interested in how you get on and which decoder you are using.

[PaulRhB]

1 hour ago, didcot said:

I'd be interested in how you get on and which decoder you are using.

Someone’s already fitted a Zimo mx616 and the new ms range goes small enough that the ms500 should fit in the cab if you want sound. Fitting it in the tank would require some metal removal on the chassis. 

[Tony_S]

2 hours ago, didcot said:

I'd be interested in how you get on and which decoder you are using.

I used a Digitrax DZ126.

I had to trim the plastic shrink wrap slightly for,it to fit snugly. Hardly any room for the wires! The wires face forward and pass over the decoder to the motor and pickup strips. The strips pop out out but to keep them in place on reassembly I used some blu tack. 

The inner body just fits!
The rest was easy.

I didn’t enjoy doing it at all but pleased it works! 
Hope this helps.

Tony

Edited March 31, 2022 by Tony_S

[didcot]

Thanks Chaps. That's next on my to do list.

[Tony_S]

1 hour ago, didcot said:

Thanks Chaps. That's next on my to do list.

Somehow I missed the Zimo decoder when looking for a small decoder on Coastal DCC’s website and bought the Digitrax. When I did a Wickham Trolley a couple of years ago I used a really tiny CT Elektronik device that I can’t seem to find to purchase again. To do this one I made a lump of Blu Tack to the same size as the decoder and used to see if it got squashed when the body was replaced. 

Edited March 31, 2022 by Tony_S

[JSpencer]

Mine arrived this week. Fortunately Kernow took great care with the packaging. A bit of sponge to keep the loco in place plus sent in a very over sized box, the model being bubble wrapped and then sunk into a sea of polystyrene!

I was quite worried it would arrive in bits, but no it arrived fine.

 

For my proposed OO-9 layout, this completes the trio of big locos (big for narrow gauge that is), the remaining pair will be smaller (+ thomas versions which are generally smaller anyway).

 

 

 

[Scrooge]

I have received the pair from Hattons, a bit the worst for the journey. Hopefully they will follow the example of Kernow, for the replacement Princess. Unfortunately Prince had sold out at Hattons so I will have to fix it. I was going to fit figures anyway so it saved me taking the cab off.

 

[JonathonAG]

18 hours ago, Tony_S said:

I used a Digitrax DZ126.

I had to trim the plastic shrink wrap slightly for,it to fit snugly. Hardly any room for the wires! The wires face forward and pass over the decoder to the motor and pickup strips. The strips pop out out but to keep them in place on reassembly I used some blu tack. 

The inner body just fits!
The rest was easy.

I didn’t enjoy doing it at all but pleased it works! 
Hope this helps.

Tony

Great to see that a small decoder can actually be fit and remain discreet, certainly a handy guide for those who are considering fitting one.

 

I'm awaiting the evidence that a speaker can be fit in the tender!  Digitrains appear to do a well produced sound file, but trying to figure out which decoder will fit and how to squeeze in a speaker will be a challenge.

[JSpencer]

44 minutes ago, Scrooge said:

I have received the pair from Hattons, a bit the worst for the journey. Hopefully they will follow the example of Kernow, for the replacement Princess. Unfortunately Prince had sold out at Hattons so I will have to fix it. I was going to fit figures anyway so it saved me taking the cab off.

 

 

Ouch! I read elsewhere, that to get the cab back on, it helps to unclip that black pipe on the left first. Otherwise it becomes a delicate operation.

 

[stewartingram]

retailers take note - I've been told (don't ask who) that stuffing £20 notes around the loco is far superior packaging than bubble wrap....

 

Stewart 🤑

[Scrooge]

1 hour ago, stewartingram said:

retailers take note - I've been told (don't ask who) that stuffing £20 notes around the loco is far superior packaging than bubble wrap....

 

Stewart 🤑

Hi Stewart,

I wish Hattons had taken note of your suggestion, but they just used bubble wrap.😄

The replacement Princess has now arrived without any damage.