N Locomotive Date Of Manufacture?

in2tech Aug 28, 2021

  1. in2tech

    in2tech TrainBoard Member

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    So need some information about how to tell when a N Scale locomotive is produced by a manufacturer? Looking at some locomotives to purchase. Either a couple of used Fox Valley's ES44 GEVO with decoders installed for $98 each or new Kato's GE ES44DC for $80.00 each and the TCS decoders are $40.00 each. But they are brand new an would come with a 1 year warranty right?

    For sure the 2 Fox Valleys are a better deal, no question. I would guess according to Sppokshow.net that the Kato decoder version are 2017 ones? And the Fox Valley ones are anywhere from 2009 to 2013?

    I have no clue about this stuff! I'm just a casual model railroad person and buy what I think looks good.

    Any help appreciated. The used ones the person listed in the Swap Meet area! I like saving money :) And I don't know the difference in Fox Valley or Kato, really! I know people here buy all types of manufacturers!
     
  2. John Moore

    John Moore TrainBoard Supporter

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    I would go back and read Spookshow's descriptions on the models. He does not leave a stone unturned as far as the production dates or range. Even goes as far as to say when DCC was introduced into the model line.
     
    in2tech likes this.
  3. Sumner

    Sumner TrainBoard Member

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    In addition to what John said I often use Spookshow's info along with Trovestar to determine when a model was produced for ones that had multiple releases. Trovestar often gives you the year if the seller has given enough info in the selling description. Not sure if this is the one you are looking at but it would get you started and you could search from there....

    https://www.trovestar.com/generic/zoom.php?id=138063

    Sumner
     
  4. in2tech

    in2tech TrainBoard Member

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    So I am looking at the Kato GE ES44DC ( I think the DC being the difference ), and although I can't bring up the actual Canadian road there are CSX ones that say produced and released in 2020?

    Here is the exact one I am researching:

    Kato #176-8939 GE ES44DC GEVO CN #2952. I think I am close, but not sure? BTW, Trovestar is awesome, thank you!

    GE ES44DC.jpeg
     
  5. tehachapifan

    tehachapifan TrainBoard Member

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    Doesn't a warranty kick in when a loco is purchased for the first time from an authorized(?) vendor vs. when it was manufactured? I would expect a warranty to still apply on a (new) loco that sat on that vendor's shelf for years. Conversely, I would not expect a warranty to apply to a loco I purchased second-hand, even if it is still the same year that it was manufactured. Maybe I never paid those close of attention to how it works.
     
    Last edited: Aug 28, 2021
  6. in2tech

    in2tech TrainBoard Member

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    Yes, I agree with that and almost sure it is correct. Warranty on new item when purchased NEW from a authorized distributor. And none on second hand from an individual. The reason I would like to know the date is I would think a newer model of a locomotive might have improved changes? But that might not be the case?
     
  7. NorsemanJack

    NorsemanJack TrainBoard Member

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    Kato’s website suggests that this is a current release. There are other road numbers listed in various past release listings.
     
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  8. Shortround

    Shortround TrainBoard Member

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    Warranties can be canceled for many reasons. For some, like me, it's gotten big in electric bikes. I directly purchased from Nakto but got a message from Amazon that it was on the way. It had a defective and very dangerous control module so I contacted Nakto. They switched me to Amazon for assistance. Of course amazing Amazon didn't understand and rejected.
    After much attempts Nakto finally stated that I purchased from Amazon so there for the warranty is void. Now it even has that statement in the advertising.
    "If you buy there products through an outside vendor, such as Amazon, the vendor supplies the warranty and NOT Nakto". Or any other manufacturers. It's the law.
    So even with model trains the warranty can be canceled for the same reason. The new vendors that are popping up have the manufacturers/dealers agree to such in the contract.
     
  9. Shortround

    Shortround TrainBoard Member

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    Warranties can be canceled for many reasons. For some, like me, it's gotten big in electric bikes. I directly purchased from Nakto but got a message from Amazon that it was on the way. It had a defective and very dangerous control module so I contacted Nakto. They switched me to Amazon for assistance. Of course amazing Amazon didn't understand and rejected.
    After much attempts Nakto finally stated that I purchased from Amazon so there for the warranty is void. Now it even has that statement in the advertising.
    "If you buy there products through an outside vendor, such as Amazon, the vendor supplies the warranty and NOT Nakto". Or any other manufacturers. It's the law.
    So even with model trains the warranty can be canceled for the same reason. The new vendors that are popping up have the manufacturers/dealers agree to such in the contract.
     
  10. freddy_fo

    freddy_fo TrainBoard Member

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    Fox valley makes a nice running loco right in line with Kato. Both are reputable manufacturers and make excellent products. I prefer FVM due to their extra details but used that can be an issue. Most all FVM locos come with metal etched "detail kits" that are bagged separately for application by the more ambitious of owners. I've found many of us railroaders are unable to apply those details due to the small nature of them. The details in some cases are either not applied well or missing. Mostly these are grabs and lift points. If you are not concerned about these things then you are good but otherwise you need to pay close attention if so.

    Buying used is a bit of a crapshoot even if the loco is demonstrated to run well prior to buying. One has to inspect all the pickups, state of the components and know what they are looking at. If I were not confident in my abilities to fix my own locos I would defer to new just to minimize the chance/headache of fixing someone else's problem.
     

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