Are the Water Tender Headlight Kits available? They don't show up on the Kato website, but was curious if they did get shipped and what all that entails for installation. Chris
I ordered the non-decoder version from Kato. Do we know what aftermarket options are going to be offered as drop in replacement?
According to the website of a certain e-tailer in NJ (who can't be mentioned or linked to here), the water tender light board (#928065) should be available next month. [And once again, why hasn't any Trainboard advertiser jumped in with a response to this question?]
So when is somebody going to throw up photos and reviews on this this loco?? Im still waiting to order.
Kato USA has posted a YouTube video on their website and M.B. ¤¤¤¤¤ has also posted a video. Not only pictures, but the action.
Did a little checking around and I see the prices are generally running just a tad bit shy of the $200 mark and so far the cheapest I have seen is right around $175 before shipping and handling. The options for some of the added features seem to very from dealer to dealer with at least one offering the safety lighting package that gives lighting above the running gear. At an initial first look around it appears that for those folks who go the full bells and whistles route that the total investment can easily approach the $500 mark for this loco even with discounts. For the person for just wants the steam version without all the added on stuff in regular service they can get in the game at around the first quoted price range. That certain dealer just west of Baltimore has already received their 2nd supply of locos and it will be interesting to see how quick they go through those while some dealers checked this AM show out of stock. Will be interesting to see what type of price tag will be on the Kobo versions when they come out.
Some photos and comments by Victor Miranda on railwire --- http://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=34708.0 Here is a direct link to a youtube video of one running on a home layout, this video is also linked to in the railwire thread --- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjKARqQIhhk
And don't pass up Solarnet's thread here on TB http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?161530-UP-FEF-3-844-Steams-into-Nebraska
Just based on observation of the photos of the shell casting they are a separate part, but whether they are glued on or just a press fit remains to be seen.
Victor cracks me up. Anybody else out there planning on doing this to their brand new FEF the second they get it? Cheers, -Mark
I have tore apart my share of locos both steam and diesel but only to repair something in my years of modeling. But be hanged if I will tear down something that expensive or intricate just to see the inner workings. A glance at the usually supplied parts schematic is good enough for me. And while the old hands are still fairly steady the eyesight is slowly migrating south, even with an Optivisor and double lenses. So even my days of doing intricate repairs is slowly fading for me. I tip my hat to his skill especially to be able to get it all back together and running right again.
From the TCS website. They are the first things removed, when disassembling. Looks like u woul/could need some filler, if you were leaving them off as there are small holes visible.
