Is the Kato U.P. FEF-3 the holy grail of N scale steamers?

Eugen,

Welcome to the poor designed KATO GS-4 and the typical problems associated with the chassis design. I speak from first hand experience. I have one from the very first release some 12-15 years ago ( don't remember when it was 1st released ) It ran flawlessly for 2-3 years with an original Tsunami decoder and finally an ESU Loksound Select Micro. With the ESU it was perfect. Then one day it started bucking and snorting until one day it farted and fell by the wayside. All four of the plastic axle tubes were cracked quite badly. I ordered the KATO made replacement driver set that is for the FEF and GS-4. Big deal, because the bearings will not stay where they belong. Why, well that is the poor design IMHO because the slots for holding the bearing are cast too large and I had one of the axles that the bearing traveled from where it was supposed to be all the way across the axle and was free wheeling against that bearing on the opposite side.

I called KATO when they announced the upcoming release and I was told that no correction would be made to the driver problems. KATO USA knows about the situation but said to me they were told no changes were to be made. I have not learned as I have a new one on order. The first thing, before running, I will pull the driver retainer plate and check out the slop or lack of slop in the drivers. I have an extra set of their new drivers as backup.

Still like KATO but they are not as perfect as they should be and they don't seem to listen too their customers. It's their way or not.

Carl

 

There have been a number of complaints about plastic parts' cracking in the drive train as well as bearing problems. There have been complaints about the GS-4, the RDCs and the RS-2/RSC-2. I do not have the GS-4. I have many of the RDCs. Fortunately, none of them have shown the cracking. I have several RS-2 and RSC-2. One has shown the cracking problem.

I will pass over the UNITRACK problems.

Kato used to be known for high quality products. Too bad that is no longer the case.

 

Could someone post a pic or link showing the cracking problem on the GS-4? I have one and would like to know what to look for. Thanks!

Glenn

 

Mine FEF-3 runs great, but is a bear to couple onto Micro-Trains couplers. Has anyone tried to remove the rear tender truck and make the M-T conversion?

Dave G
Cache Valley & Northern RR

 

Has anyone converted the tender coupler to M-Ts? I have a tough time getting the coupler to connect with standard Micro-trains couplers. Any suggestions on getting the rear truck off the tender to make the swap?

Dave Gentry
Cache Valley & Northern RR

 

I have put a 1015 on the rear of two FEF-3's. I removed the Kato coupler and I don't remember if the tender floor was smooth or not, if it wasn't then I removed anything that clipped the coupler on. The tender floor is styrene so I glued a couple styrene shims to make a mounting surface at the correct height for the 1015. Once the glue was dry I drilled and tapped a hole for the coupler screw.

 

That's interesting. I chatted with a Kato USA rep at the World's Greatest Hobby Show in Pomona, CA last month. I asked him what was so different about this new release of the GS-4 and he told me it was the as-delivered paint scheme ("Southern Pacific Lines" rather than "Southern Pacific" AND that the new GS-4 would have updated drivers.

 

It sounds like we've adequately critiqued the F-E-F, Kato Northern. I want one in the worst way but have a lot of work to do on my layout before that happens. Had to laugh at the holy grail thing. No not quite but as close as we are going to get.

Kato equipment likes my layout and I have a mixed bag of curves, different track and switches by various providers.

I've always said, "Wider curves are the best curves, properly weighted equipment is the best running equipment, Micro-trains trucks and wheelsets are the best wheel-sets" and heck there must be more. Like I said Kato likes my layout and runs well on it.