Hahaha...good one! Would the locomotive and tender span a full 90 degree turn on that tight a radius? I guess I could do the math. 19.5"*pie= about 61". Divided by 4 = 15". I don't see any specs on how long it is but it's gotta be close.
Received mine and I agree, a great locomotive. Smooth running, great puller and sharp looking. Mine appears to have a slight wobble of the shell while running. Has anyone else experienced this?
Got mine for my son for Christmas. it is a sweet runner and very smooth. Mind you I've been in Z for several years but kept my N for my boys and what I can't get in Z. Now I have the kato Mike, daylight, GG1, Life like Berk, 2-8-8-2, bach 2-8-0, teen wheeler, and more, this locomotive is better than all of them, but it is huge! Anybody else notce how it dwarfs even the the daylight? Probably 100% prototypical, but it is huge.
Unwrapped mine yesterday morning and it is on the track around my Hallmark ornament tree. Runs like a Swiss watch.
Runs very quietly... a Rolex version of a steam locomotive. I do have to criticize Kato for the packaging... but... I would NOT trade better packaging... for inferior workmanship on the locomotive. Sent from my ALCATEL ONE TOUCH Fierce using Tapatalk
Calzephyr, I agree the FEF does run like a Swiss watch. The packaging is not as elegant but I remember how the original Kato Mikado had problems with snapped drawbars in its hard case. So, perhaps the extensive foam and soft packaging, is a strategy to provide a very resilient packaging for this delicate steam locomotive. - Tonkphilip -
The foam cradling is actually very good, but, the way it is applied leaves the possibility of accidentally damaging the model when removing from; or, replacing it in the box. I wouldn't call it 'disaster waiting to happen' packaging... like the Bachmann steamer packaging... but if the modeler isn't careful to support the foam liner when removing from the box... thing can slip out or bend and get damaged. While removing my model from the box... I heard something fall to the floor... fortunately it was only the package of couplers. The foam cradle is in three parts... but come apart as the model is being removed. Removal and replacement has to be done upon a surface to prevent the cradle from bending and damaging the model. I prefer the method employed by both Athearn and Intermountain with their articulated models. Their box is large and the foam is supported by a heavy grade cardboard box. The box is then within a plastic sleeve to prevent the lid from coming off. Some have commented that the box is too large and takes up too much room... but... it seems to be a great way to protect some really nice models. I feel Kato' version of packaging was a bit scant for the model.
Here's my UP 844 with a break run on Friday, and today's run for the public today. The first day was 23 cars without a second power car, and the second day was the full 24 car train that I have at the moment with both flag cars and two power cars. All cars are based off of current day Union Pacific executive fleet. I still want a UPP 9336 Boxcar and UPP 5818 Reed Jackson (souvenir car). http://youtu.be/p52pvri95S4 Still lots of stuff to do to get it to "100%" but hey its a hobby right? Chris
You guys have no idea how bad I am fighting the urge to buy one of these !! I do have a question though. I dont plan on pulling L O N G trains with it...maybe just 5-7 cars. BUT..seeing guys running longer trains makes me ask. Pulling that much weight...doesnt it put a lot more strain on those traction tires...which could lead to premature failure of the traction tires ? Replacing traction tires...however simple it may be...is NOT something I would or am looking forwards to. That alone may be the biggest thing holding me back from getting one. Well that and drivers going out of quarter. That would make me want to scream and pull my hair out !!!.... :-(
I do not like the traction tires on any type of N scale model either... but it has become a necessary evil if we want the models to pull anything beyond a dozen cars... let alone a prototypical size consist. Additionally, our desire for some mountain grades for interest... tight curves for some narrow spaces we may want to shoehorn our track into... and it is a wonder how ANY non-traction tired locomotives are able to run on our layouts. On diesels models... traction tires are relatively rare... but an easy fix if they are worn-out or break. Steam engines pose so many added problems that I can feel your angst about having to deal with them. I hope some-one on the Forum will chime in about the amount of work it would take to replace worn-out or broken traction tires on any of the Kato 4-8-4 models (GS4 and FEF). I think the Mikado driver with the traction tire was very easy to replace... I've never had to do it on my lone Western Pacific Mikado.
Traction tires? Don't get me started. The thing is on something like the Northern, it's not a simple task to replace them. Over the years I've had more locomotives spend their time in the shops waiting for traction tire replacement then for any one single thing. My first American Flyer locomotive spent more time in a San Jose hobby shop waiting for tire replacements, then it did running around the track. The same was true of my HO locomotives. Currently I have a stack of N Scale stoves sitting on my work bench, as I speak, waiting for me to get out the Bull Frog Snot and but an end to this lunacy. Traction tires a poor man's excuse for a good running locomotive. Another of Ricks infamous Vent's. Like George I want one in the worst way. Maybe when I see one at a swapmeet for less then half price. Maybe then. Sigh!
I have been playing with two toys I received for Christmas. My kids gave me a GoPro. Not exactly meant for this but I rigged it up on a flat car and pulled it around my hollow door test track while my new train followed behind on the next track. [video=youtube_share;WDESROZKlGs]http://youtu.be/WDESROZKlGs[/video]
Nothing lasts forever. Not even Bullfrog not. Face it, model trains are machines, they are going to need maintenance. As long as I have my bench mounted magnifying glass I don't fear crank pins and traction tires. Just make sure you have a good supply of traction tires or Bullfrog snot. All my favorite steam engines have traction tires. Even the old ConCor Big Boys and Challengers.
Even prototype locos need to have the tires changed. http://www.nps.gov/stea/photosmultimedia/upload/changing_a_tire.pdf
I understand traction tires wear out...eventually. I'm just thinking that pulling lots of cars (lots of weight) might make them wear out or break sooner then normal. I hope the tires last a long long time. THE Wife almost has me talked into getting one...yikes !! Maybe its just me being paranoid...I dunno :closedmouth:
Fight it George fight it. You can resist the force Luke, er George. My favorite vender has been through four re-stockings now and the 4th re-stocking is gone also even the Kobo versions that the folks found the missing screws with. So the invasion has about run it's course and soon the only ones left will be some on that auction site wildly overpriced. That is until Kato comes out with a different paint job or version and then it starts again. I have successfully resisted the Yellowstone, and the FEF and will also resist the Berkshire, so I know you can do it. May the force be with you, and if you begin to feel yourself weaken again just fortify yourself with some of Cousin Bubba's special recipe.
