Kato UP 4-8-4 844

rrunty Jun 12, 2014

  1. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    The only difference here between Bull Frog Snot and traction tires is the mechanical requirements to replace the TT's. If Bull Frog Snot wears out... and I haven't seen it do that... yet. I can simply open the bottle use a toothpick to apply some more to the aging tire and I'm ready to go. I haven't had to quarter the drivers and running gear to replace those dreaded TT's. Or take the Big Bear Dam thing apart. I'm sick and tired of playing Mr. Fix It.

    I won't defend traction tires or sign off on them as being essential. Not while this heart in me continues to beat. You can and I will respect your choice. It's all about choices. I will leave you to discern what it is you want to put up with.

    Do me a favor though. Don't start with me by saying with in a whiney voice, "Those traction tires are a good thing". I put up with them by far longer then I should have. I suspect I'm not alone on this issue. In case you missed it the first time, I have no love lost for TT's. A poor man's excuse for a good running locomotive.

    New Years Resolution: To remove all traction tires off of... every locomotive I own and replace them with Bull Frog Snot.

    Ok guys now you can have at me and rip me a knew one. :frustrated: :startled::teeth:

    Russell, I really like the video. Can you run the camera and FEF3 closer together so we can see the action of the side rods? I hate photographing black locomotives as the light around them causes the camera to open the F stops to wide, allowing to much light in. Washing out the detail. I want to count rivets.:) Looking mighty nice.

    George, You don't have to fight it but your CFO and budget limitations can do the job for you. Grin!
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 30, 2014
  2. RedRiverRR4433

    RedRiverRR4433 TrainBoard Member

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    Not a bad idea Rick. I'll go for that. Have fun with it. :cool::cool:


    Shades
     
  3. kmcsjr

    kmcsjr TrainBoard Member

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    So, I've stayed away from this topic, because I have to wait for the money to buy one. Are folks really finding (I've only read 3 or 4 of the 40 pages), the only flaw is the packaging? AWESOME! I got a display case for Christmas. It only has to come out of the package once!
     
  4. Calzephyr

    Calzephyr TrainBoard Supporter

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    Yes... Marty... unfortunately the worst possible outcome for the FEF... a lousy box with flimsy foam, loose plastic nest and slippery plastic sheet. A real travesty from Kato... and just think... they got the color just right... Black.

    I'm going to have to return my packaging to Kato for a replacement; but, I won't be sending the FEF in it though... cause that locomotive is a thing of B-E-A-U-T-Y!!!
     
  5. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    Well....that makes the decision easier. Now...how to tell THE Wife we arent getting one...:eek:hboy:
     
  6. Calzephyr

    Calzephyr TrainBoard Supporter

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    Yep... what a shame... and I just finished watching a video of the FEF pulling 41 Kato passenger cars around a loop of Unitrack... basically chasing its tail. What Kato won't do to make us overlook the packaging issues... Humph!!!
     
  7. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    R O F L M A O !!!!:teeth:
     
  8. RBrodzinsky

    RBrodzinsky November 18, 2022 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    There will be at least one on the Silicon Valley FreeMoN layout at the Great Train Show in Richmond, CA this coming weekend.
     
  9. UPCLARK

    UPCLARK TrainBoard Member

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    Seriously what I think I have experienced is pulling too many cars up too steep of a grade around to small of a radius. "Three Stikes...." I have even worn out Bullfrog Snot on a SP Northern and a Kato Mikado. Don't get me wrong, I run the dog do out of them. I'm experimenting with replacement traction tires now too see if their ability to slip and flex will make them last longer. I too have thrown a rod in a GS-4, IMHO, because it had so darn much torque and grip it pulled one of the crank pins right out of the driver. Unfortunately I didn't find my crank pin and rigged it up with a straight pin and some JB weld. It held until Kato got driver sets back in stock and I got some spare parts for the Northerns. I don't get a big thrill out of working on the steamers but I do enjoy running them!!
     
  10. Calzephyr

    Calzephyr TrainBoard Supporter

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    http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine...-844-*Warning*-Inspect-closely-before-running!!!

    Just a heads up... there is a new thread which is bringing to light a problem with the FEF drive-gear.
    Seems like something that was happening with the GS4 model too.

    As I stated on an earlier post... mine ran great right out of the box. However, it should be noted that I did NOT run it for an extended period of time nor was it pulling a consist that would have created additional torque on the drive-gear due to the extra weight. I am going to re-inspect the bottom of my locomotive for any missing screws or loose drive-gear.
     
  11. WPZephyrFan

    WPZephyrFan TrainBoard Member

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    I'll be there Sunday to witness this!
     
  12. N-Jineer

    N-Jineer TrainBoard Member

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    The Postman delivered my FEF-3, water Tenders and Excursion Cars today :love:

    I had wanted the DCC fitted one, but my KATO retailer could only get the DC version - boy,am I one happy camper now after reading about the issues with the TCS decoder over in the DCC forum.

    I will be installing DCC & Sound at some point in the future; which one will depend on how things pan out over on the DCC forum threads.
     
  13. UPCLARK

    UPCLARK TrainBoard Member

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    I received my 2nd FEF today. The decoder tweaked in ok but as with RR Enthusiast's unit it has a slight wobble. I'm sending the new one in for Sound Decoder installation to one of our advertisers so I'll ask him if he can re-quarter the wheels to get rid of the wobble. If not I'll send it to Kato first. Then out again for the decoder. I'm really leaning to the WOW Sound TCS.

    Strangely, with 14 passenger cars, the new unit's wobble is almost gone or at least no longer noticeable.

    Maybe it will disappear after a couple days running. Yea right! LOL!

    At least I have a spare unit just in case I need parts or Kato doesn't make another run for a year of 2.
     
  14. dstjohn

    dstjohn TrainBoard Member

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    My train club had our meeting today. I took my 844 and excursion train a along and ran it on my buddies layout here are a few videos I shot.

    [video=youtube_share;ptt3OXSKWCE]http://youtu.be/ptt3OXSKWCE[/video]

    [video=youtube_share;ydu9smk8ixM]http://youtu.be/ydu9smk8ixM[/video]

    [video=youtube_share;54-tDXh1U98]http://youtu.be/54-tDXh1U98[/video]
     
  15. RBrodzinsky

    RBrodzinsky November 18, 2022 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    Got to run my consist at the Great Train Show today, in Richmond CA at the Craneway Pavilion, a fantastic venue for a train show. Here are a couple of shots (more in my Silicon Valley Station Module thread)

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  16. RBrodzinsky

    RBrodzinsky November 18, 2022 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    On Sunday, it won't be MY unit running, but one of the other SVFMN members. Have to share...
     
  17. RedRiverRR4433

    RedRiverRR4433 TrainBoard Member

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    Great photo's of the FEF Rick.:cool::cool:


    Shades
     
  18. BNSF7776

    BNSF7776 TrainBoard Member

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    IMG_20141230_192704_045.jpg

    Worth every penny!
     
  19. bobthebear

    bobthebear TrainBoard Supporter

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    Here's my one, re-numbered 841 and weathered. Came with the TCS chip, but no problems so far. Only problem I have is that my layout is quite old and uses Peco code 80. It doesn't like reversing through turnouts. Guess it's the fine wheels. OK forwards though. 20150103_153252.jpg 20150103_153408.jpg 20150103_153441.jpg
     
  20. Ryan Wilkerson

    Ryan Wilkerson TrainBoard Member

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    Rick, much appreciated letting my youngest son represent the UP Heritage Steam on the layout with #844 leading. He smiled a lot today running his new locomotive on such an awesome layout! I just put him to bed and he couldn't stop talking about how much fun today was. Thanks for every one of the FreeMo-N guys for making it happen. Can't wait for the next show!
     

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