Kato N Gauge FEF any comments please

[Stevelewis]

I was thinking  of  purchasing  a  KATO  N  gauge  4-8-4  FEF-3  with decoder on board.

 

Has any one  purchased  one, or have any comments,  the  description  seems  fine, but  would like to gain any further info.

 

Thanks

[Adrian Wintle]

Spookshow hasn't had a chance to review his yet - it had to go back to Kato and he just got it back. The review will be here when he finishes it:

http://www.spookshow.net/loco/katofef.html

 

There have been some issues with them, see this thread on Trainboard

http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?161832-Kato-FEF-3-844-*Warning*-Inspect-closely-before-running!

 

This Trainboard  thread (which started with the announcement) has some reviews at the end - mostly positive

http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?158527-Kato-UP-4-8-4-844

 

I'm not particularly interested in it, but I would trust Spookshow's review/opinions.

 

Adrian

[Adrian Wintle]

There also appear to have been some issues getting the coreless motor to play nicely with the back-emf schemes on some decoders:

http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?161845-Kato-N-scale-FEF-TCS-DCC-problem

 

Adrian

[roundhouse]

I had one running on Banbury last weekend.

 

It's a very nice model. The articulation under the tender is different but needed for tight curves. Decoder installation is much simpler than the GS4. I have a Digitrax decoder in mine and it worked well at the weekend. Yet yo test it on Santa Barbara but no reason why it should perform any different as it uses the same fidle yard as Banbury.

 

The finish to the loco is shiny so does give the illusion of looking plasticy to me but it will get a few passes of Dullcote at some point to tone it down

[Stevelewis]

FEF  arrived  today  thanks to N Scale Trains  for  rapid  delivery,  Evaluation  will take  place  soon, first impression  confirms  the  illusion  of  a  plasticky appearance it will eventually  need  dulling  down  somewhat,  My version  is  digital  on  board,  I will post  some  pics  and  further comments soon

[roundhouse]

Over the last few days I have given my FEF3 va few passes of Dulcote.

 

Its now matted down quite nicely but does need just one more pass.

 

However, when giving it a run on the test track the crank pins came out on either side of the main driving wheel. I found one and reinserted it but the other one I cantt find at the moment. Luckily Kato USA do them as spares and for this weekend I can borrow one out of my GS4 as they use the same pins.

 

I am going to try and glue these pins in so they don't come out by themselves.

 

Has any one else had this issue. Its only run once round the circuit on the layout and on the test track a couple of times.

[Adrian Wintle]

Over the last few days I have given my FEF3 va few passes of Dulcote.

 

Its now matted down quite nicely but does need just one more pass.

 

However, when giving it a run on the test track the crank pins came out on either side of the main driving wheel. I found one and reinserted it but the other one I cantt find at the moment. Luckily Kato USA do them as spares and for this weekend I can borrow one out of my GS4 as they use the same pins.

 

I am going to try and glue these pins in so they don't come out by themselves.

 

Has any one else had this issue. Its only run once round the circuit on the layout and on the test track a couple of times.

 

The second link in post #2 is about that problem.

 

Adrian

[roundhouse]

Thanks Adrian.

I hadn't picked up on your second link when you posted it.

 

Yes does seem to be an issue with these.

 

Mine was DC only until I fitted the decoder myself so hopefully the screw issue isnt a problem. Know I am aware of the rank pin issue I will probably reinsert them with a tiny drop of superglue or similar, possibly even canopy glue. Ordered 5 packs of spare crank pins from Kato USA.