Just received mine in the mail today from Brooklyn Locomotive Works. Details look impressive! Baggie included with grab irons and sun shades wow! Ran mine around my temporary oval track and it ran smooth, but a little noisier than my Katos, but quieter than my other Atlas or Athern locos. It seemed to make more noise going around corners than going straight. Also it may be due to my tight corners (11" Radius) on my Kato Unitrack oval but it had a tendancy to jump the rail on one corner I wonder if it will quiet down with a little more break in time? I'll have to wait on the DCC decoder as I'm in the process of planning a new layout and my current one is torn up (since I moved to a new train room with a house attached to it)
Yes. The first round were all AC models. The second round, due in June, are DC models in BNSF swoosh and NS. BNSF primarily uses the AC units in coal service and the DC units in most other service. I'll be in for several DC models! -Gary
Yep, scheduled for a June release, but it'll be on an ES44DC versus the just released ES44AC. http://www.foxvalleymodels.com/pdfs/n_locomotives_ES44AC_inventory.pdf
Any decent pictures of their production UP model? I wonder why they only have the crummy pdf picture of their UP model on their web site. The only real photos seem to be the ones of the wrong CP preproduction model. A rather unfortunate way to promote one's products, I think. Thus, the only fine photos I have seen so far, are those posted here in post #14 of a BNSF model. That is the way they should promote their product on the web site. They make me really want such a model.
Very Disappointed Hello, Well I got mine today, and I must be living under a black cloud. They look great! But 1 was DOA out of the box. Not a good first impression. 1 runs well but sounds like a leaf blower 1 runs too well, out runs a Kato locomotive So I am torn about these. And about the others I have on order. I have sent an e-mail to Fox Valley Models, but will have to wait and see what happens there.
Sorry to hear that Sharkman. Anxious to hear how this comes out. A earlier post mentioned that each one was being tested prior to shipping out, Humm I wonder. Also it appears that Fox Valley has rebuilt their website.
I am anxious also as I ordered two BNSF engines which will arrive sometime later this month. I only hope it is tested before shipping. Cheers,
Fox Valley Responds! Hi, Had go to out for a while, and in the mean time, Matt sent me a very nice e-mail and wants to take care of this asap! He was even kind enough to extend a trade for all three locomotives and would send me back 3 that were much closer in speed performance. So just a few hours since I sent them an e-mail and I got a response. I call that good customer service, and the content of the e-mail I would call superior customer service! There are no worries about dealing with Fox Valley Models! Great support, and they really are a great product if you don't have my luck! Take care and buy in confidence that they will make it right for you!
Great news there David. Looks like you'll have some new engines running very soon. Let is n=know how the replacements perform!
I don't doubt that Matt is testing each unit before it goes out. Remember, the 800 pound gorilla gets a vote at least twice before it gets to you, possibly three times if you mail order. Dosen't matter if it's UPS, FEDEX, USPS, or some other carrier, the shipping Gorilla's can mangle even the best packaged box. It's out of the manufacturers control if a unit arrives DOA. Most will take care of the problem, but Matt is normally light years faster than the others in responding. Just my .01 for today... Brian
I actually received my 1st FVM loco today. Right out of the box the shell looks fantastic. The trucks do leave a little to be desired but they aren't bad. First time running on the track I must say I'm not that impressed. The mechanism has a worbly grinding type noise at the low and medium throttle setting. I applied a small about of Labelle oil to the worm but it did little to settle the loco down. I have run it in both forward and reverse for over 2 hours now. I have contacted FVM via email about this and maybe I just got a bad one. I also suggested Matt call me and maybe if I put the cordless phone near the loco running he could hear the noise. Anyways, I will reserve my final opinion once this is worked out. As for decoder installation(if one wants more functions -flashing ditch lights, etc.), I have talked with Arthur at TCS and he believes one can utilize the existing "dummy" plug currently in the socket along with an M4 decoder. One would solder the wires directly to the "plug" accordingly and have the additional function. Jeff
Did a little diagnosing on my end by removing the trucks and allowing the mechanism to run without them installed. If ran as smooth as a swiss time piece. For grins (and since the mech and trucks are really close to another Japanese manufacturers stuff) I installed a pair a spare -9 trucks that I had on hand and it ran smoothly. In my opinion, there is something wrong with one or both of the trucks with my loco. Just passing on information.
I just received my Gevos and installed the decoders, easy as pie but that is the good. Now to the bad, they are noisy like a grinding sound and they keep derailing where no other engines derail even my steam engines, any ideas? Dave
Davidone, Mine was noisy also so I contacted Matt at FVM and returned it to him for repair. At least mine isn't the only one. Couple talked about over on the Atlas Forum also. Jeff
I too received a GEVO this week and ran it right away. Not impressed that much. Looks good as far as an undec can, but doesn't run well. It is noisy but as I stated in a thread that I started it derails where none of my other diesel or steamer locos have any problems. I have sent Matt an e-mail asking for help. IMHO there is something amiss in the trucks. I hope this can be fixed easily as I want to see FVM succeed with this project. It is rather disgusting, regardless of manufacturer, to have problems right out of the box. With this experience, I cancelled orders for two additional GEVO's as well as the AC-12. From now on, I will let others test new stuff for the manufacturers befor purchasing.
From all I've read these FVM GEVO's have some issues. Think I'll stay on the sidelines and wait for the Kato EMD SD70ACe BNSF "Swoosh" instead!
I've found 2 problems with my new FVM GEVO. 1. The grab irons are so small if you sneeze in the vicinity of the jewel case you'll never see the micro parts again. ok, maybe thats just my problem with alergies. 2. I only ordered 1 instead of 6. Guess thats my problem again. In other words, I love this loco. Great detail and super crisp paint. I Really love the decoder plug. For DCC it can't get any easier than this. Maybe I'm deaf but mine is as quiet as any Kato or Atlas I own. Maybe I got lucky but thats just not my style. Brian
