Website says 11". Waiting to see what Mark's real world tests show. I have to wait until after Christmas to buy one.
Yes the elephant ears can be removed. They just snap on. No pictures right now but will post some later. Tried to install a decoder in mine last night. But think I've got a dead board. Back to the LHS today. Richard
Got mine this PM, so far I'm not impressed. It is the DC version and I tested it on my DCC layout which leaves a lot to be desired but that wasn't the problem. I found a new place on the layout to derail the pilot wheels. I have 2 Kato GS-4's and a C62 and many Bachmann steam that have no problem at that point. Waiting for the decoder to make a better test. Harold
Check the wheel flanges against a standards gauge. I've found that if the drivers can't move laterally enough, they will pull the pilot wheels off the rail. I've had this issue with several of my brass locos.
Well in monitoring a certain dealer I noted yesterday that they had listed 34 in stock after selling out the first batch. Today zero in stock and they also had listed the Kobo version which is the decoder equipped one and that has also sold out. A lot of locos being sold if just the few sites I have been watching are any indication. However so far I have seen very few running reports showing up and certainly not enough from private individuals to gauge the over all quality of this loco considering the amount of them that are in folk's hands as of this time.
I'm going to install A ESU Lok-Sound decoder and a Zimo cube speaker in my FEF when it arrives in the next week or so. Shades
Hi Cool dude, please make a vid of the process. I too want to put an ESU with a Knowles Fox speaker in mine but I think I will wait for ESU to add the correct whistle for the FEF. Carl
Just finished replacing the MRC in my 3985 with the Soundtraxx decoder. Will install the same decoder in the 844 when it arrives. Then I will see how many cars the doublehead can pull......
Espee GS I have a KEY brass Challenger (3985) that ran exceptionally well as analog. Based on how my new FEF ran last evening, analog, I believe that with a decoder in each loco they can be speed matched and run very well together. If your speaking of an Athearn Challenger than I have no clue as I do not own one. It would make for an interesting lashup for sure and very prototypical as well. I will be trying my KATO GS-4, 4449, with 844 as that too is very proto. Carl
Just tried mine out this morning - very nice indeed! I did have a small problem with a couple of the tender wheelsets being gauged a little too wide, but that was easy enough to fix. Looks great pulling the two aux tenders and a 13-car excursion train. Full review pending. Cheers, -Mark
Looking forward to your review, Mark. I have no interest in steam and absolutely, positively have no use for one of these, but like a moth to a flame I keep getting drawn to them. So far I've resisted clicking the "add to cart" button on a couple of on-line orders I've placed recently, but don't know how much longer I can hold out. I fear a trip to the shop where I originally posted about seeing this might be too much. I keep telling myself, save your money, there's more important things coming. If I get anything in the near future I can't justify for the layout it's going to be a Rapido GMD-1. Bob
Members, go to the Kato website, click on the latest news twitter, (U-Tube) see the new UP FEF 4-8-4 pulling the two water tenders and 41 Kato UP passenger cars very easily on a level layout for over two minutes. Yes, a total of 43 cars !!! I have no layout, Saturday my new UP FEF ran smoothly and quietly at low speeds out of the box in both directions using a 19" radius unitrack circle with two straights on my dining room table, but only pulling 8 UP Kato passenger cars. Bill
Can't wait to hear the results. I have my 844 and the Soundtraxx items to install, but still hesitant to do so as it would be my first. I do have a UP 3985 set back with my LHS, I was just waiting until the Kato sets officially came out and all my excursion train projects mostly complete. Yup, I definitely will double head it was 4449 as well, it has a Tsunami it just the same. I can't fathom ever owning a steamer without sound. Almost like owning a Prius You know it makes a sound, but you never hear it really. Chris
IF any of you out there don't like your FEF3, go ahead and send it to me! I received mine this afternoon. After a 50 mile forward and reverse break in run, without so much as a hiccup, I must say "I'm impressed" and there will be more to follow! I now see what everyone was grumbling about the colors on the COLA. The excursion set and tender are a darker shade than the old runs.
43 cars? Well, OK, I guess that's decent enough (LOL). Honestly, I don't think anyone will be disappointed here. But then again, I've never been disappointed with a Kato locomotive. As for the vehemently anti-Kato curmudgeons? Well, all I can say is have at it. I'm sure you'll find something ;-) Cheers, -Mark
