Just got mine and all I can say is WOW!!!!! It's absolutely fantastic. and a puller too. Was able to start creeping along on notch 2 on my temp layout using a Digitrax Superchief pulling both water tenders, the excusion set AND the 11-car COLA. Smooth as silk. Sorry for the crappy photos. Thanks Richard
Short Video. [video=youtube;4uOU8oG-qjM]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uOU8oG-qjM&feature=youtu.be[/video] Thanks Richard
But it shouldnt! You know, we are all fools for getting one. Can't wait to get mine, hopefully the DCC versions get shipped early next week so I can get mine next weekend.
So far pulling a fairly nice sized consist. Would be interested to see how many more cars can be added before wheel slip occurs.
Looking good! And I thought I have a lot of passenger equiptment.... Hopefully the DCC equipped ones aren't too far behind.
Ask and you shall receive. Here's a new video to show what it can do. Consist includes UP #844, 2 - Water Tenders, 7-car excusion set, 2 - UP COLA 11-car sets, and 3 - 4-car UP Passenger sets. That's a total of 41 Passenger cars, Not including the water tenders. Still didn't break a sweat getting going. Had 47 passenger cars on at one point but because I've got wires running under some of the track, I started having couplers pull apart because the track is un-even. It was within about 6" of it's own tail. Sure wish I hade my new layout up and running. Then we could really see what she can do. As of now that's the most cars I can get on a single train. Enjoy [video=youtube;DjKARqQIhhk]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjKARqQIhhk[/video] Richard
That was what I was interested in was whether Kato had addressed the rather anemic pulling power of todays non articulated steam and in that little demonstration they appear to have done just that. That appears to be more than able to handle the large excursion consists that some are assembling without no stinking diesels being in the photo to ruin things. For the folks modeling the earlier era, when some got bumped back to freight service, it appears that this loco will easily handle 80 plus freight cars of the 40 and 50 foot variety. I don't think there is going to be any complaints about tractive effort with this loco.
i would like to add my 2 cents worth, but as a preface to that, I want to thank Richard (Solarnet) for taking the time to post these vids. Really nice to see the pulling capabilities of this release. I think a normal Excursion train consist should be pulled quite nicely up / down /around 2% grades. So, thank you Richard. Next, I can hardly wait for JD Colombo to install a nice new ESU Loksound, with UP whistle. Now my 2 cents - I am by NO MEANS starting a flaming against any manufacturer, especially not KATO, and I am not comparing KATO's history against any other mnfg'r. If I had one and wanted to run the beast with 47 passenger cars or 80 freight cars, I would certainly pay attention to the crank pins and rods / valve gear. With more weight being pulled that the loco was designed for, could there be a premature problem ? Just asking, you know. Carl
I agree that having a nice new ESU Loksound will be fantastic. I'll be having mine done soon. (If I can bare to take it off the layout again.) Don't think it will be a problem. I don't think anyone really knows how much weight it was really designed for. Also I've been doing 34 UP Passenger Cars with my Kato AFT #4449 GS-4 since I got it and hasn't shown any kind of problems over the last year.... Richard
41 passenger cars!!! Oh come on Kato please make the SP&S northerns next I'll buy all three roadnumbers.
From what I'm seeing, this is going a major hit for Kato. I do tend to agree with you Carl, just because the loco can pull 40, doesn't mean you have to overload the mechanism. Sooner or later something will either show premature wear of break. Of course there is always the maintenance shop! I just rebuilt a pair of GS-4s and they both are back at 100%. If the FEF is anywhere near as good I'll have to spring for a couple more and renumber them. I'M REALLY EXITED NOW!!!!!
My semi local hobby shop has already sold out of the first batch and has a 2nd due in a few days. This is about the fastest I have seen a loco type sell out completely. Unless some gremlins rear their ugly heads this should be a total winner for Kato and just maybe the same design that results in some good tractive effort will show up in some future releases of steam by them. Now awaiting what Mark (Spookshow) has to say after his analysis.
Nothing like watching it chase it's tail. Pretty cool. I'd like to see what it does on my 2+ % grades. Thanks Richard, for the video. As oldrk said...Wow X 2 !!!
