I ran it on the club layout tonight. It ran really nicely both on its own and with the ten car set behind it. Now... I did stick to the more or less dead level red line, mainly because we are doing track work on some of the others, and I was too lazy to move the existing train off the yellow line. There was ONE switch that the loco would sort of pop up slightly on, and since it was the only switch that caused a problem I am wondering if it is the switch and not the loco. My lights work fine. The rear light on the tender is non-working, but it wasn't made to be operational according to Kato USA. I had no derailment issues and the pilot truck stayed right on the rails the whole time. After hearing of other people's problems I am very glad that I ran it on my LHS's test track before paying for it.
Same here. The folks at Papa Ben's insisted that I take it for a spin around their test loop before I could leave the store. Since then I have only run it around on my Unitrak door layout with no problems with any of the switches. I may have to get some add on articulated coaches. I added the one I kit bashed for my Sunbeam to see how it looked. The old Atlas Rivarossi Daylight paint is pretty close although not exactly the same. The trucks are all wrong and the articulated joint between the cars is kind of funky but it was all I had until now.
I feel blessed in getting one GS-4 (out of two) that is near perfect. The first one received had derailment issues and it is on its way back to Kato. But with the possible drawbar short, I am not contemplating decoder installation. DC running is fine. Don't need no stinkin' decoder. Ben
I guess it may be unrealistic to expect a perfect engine being built from all new tooling to be 'flawless'... but... now I'm a little concerned over these few kinks in the Kato GS-4. Overall I'm pleased with the engine and new set though. Hopefully the derailing front truck and lightboard issues are exceptions rather than the rule. I don't know what could have happened with DocGeoff's engine. Sputtering and shorting out... with that traction tire falling off... and out of control using DCC. That must have been a real shocker! Was that engine fitted with a decoder made specifically for the GS-4? Kato is marketing a decoder specifically for the GS-4... but... I think its not due out til March/April when the next GS-4 engine is due to release.
GS4 In Display Case...Yes Sir! Hi Bill, I'l bet it is! They said they would put it away for me and why not display it. It doesn't look like Steve and I will be down off the hill in time for the Roundhouse Gangs Swapmeet. He is driving a snow plow for Cal Trans and isn't likely he will get time off...what with the storm that is due here tomorrow. We've had an unusual amount of snow this year. The old timers are saying this is more like the winters Big Bear used to have approximately 50 years ago. And the lake did freeze over the first time in years. How about that? Global warming? To cold for that! Ben, Grandpa Joe and of course all tuned in, Ben, I agree with you, "Don't need no stinkin' decoder". Still, I might... one day... want to add a decoder. There must be something wrong with the installation instructions. Perhaps we need to explore this and ask Kato...what's up? Grandpa Joe, or have we already identified the problem...something about a short...somewhere? That's what it sounds like, an intermittent short. Jerry, Thanks...yes it was good to find one. We California types don't pre-order we like to wait, do our homework and then head off to the hobby shop to pick it up. The LHS's that survive out here know their customers well and can usually anticipate the amount of product needed. Snowbound or stormbound but having fun. .
update. I ran it more tonight. it probably has a little over an hour of running now. different speeds, forward & back, different loads from no cars to 18 cars. First the good news. never a derailment but: 1) the lights still come and go. 2) still a noisey grinding sound, maybe a little quieter, but still there. still more noticable at slower speeds and worse under load/more load. 3) after about 40 minutes of running last night, I was about done, and running it with no cars around one last time, all of a sudden, what is that? crud! the engineer side traction tire is off flopping around only being held on by the side rod. So now I'm very disapointed. :thumbs_down: btw, I am very gentle and careful with my trains. I have not had any problems with my other 14 steamers or the 4 diesels or even the con-cor goose. With the noise, the intermittent light board & now a traction tire, I don't want to bother even opening it up. this thing is brand new. -What is the process to send it back? -Does it go back to Kato or the mail-order/internet store where I bought it? -And who pays for shipping it back?
Give Kato a Holler Kato's Ph #1-800-548-5286 This is an order number so you might want to ask to be forwarded to someone who can handle a technical question. You should find a parts list that came with the locomotive. On the parts list should be a USA phone number (I think in New Jersey). Give them a call for instructions on what to do. Shipping to them will come out of your pocket. Sorry about the trouble you are having... this doesn't sound like the Kato I know. I'm beginning to wonder if the same folks that contract to produce Bachmann's Trains is now building Kato's Trains. I hope not!
Rick, The decoders are the ones Kato has made for the engine. They are already available. I received two with the GS4 Kato #29-351.
There is a sheet a paper in the bottom of the box. no parts list, no phone number. This paper has on one side: DCC decoder installaton., the other side: Train number board installation, front pilot coupler replacement, trip pin installation and locomotive track requirements. Which reminds me. why are there two pilots (one extra)? one extra coupler? fyi - also included is extra number boards and two trip pins. On the bottom of the box (actually an insert inside the clear plastic case) just talks about the Lima GS-4. has a couple notes. no phone #, only an address and website. I'll check their website for warranty/return info. oh, and as for who makes it, the case & the bottom of the loco, etc says "Made in Japan" so I assume not smae people that make Bachmann as I believe they are made in China. My Bachmann spectrum 2-8-0's are awesome and trouble free even after 2 years. they are of the highest quality from my experience. the detail, the look, quiet, runs like the finest of watches. The Bach. spectrum 2-6-6-2 is another story. it runs, just noisey and can't pull more than 8 cars
Hummmm...I am wondering with the rush to get them out, and the extra production runs if QC was sacrificed? Not what we expect from Kato....but, you never know. I wouldn't expect to hear this many problems from this model with all the videos/hipe that Kato showed. Traction tire falling off? That just should not happen.
Kato's Ph #1-800-548-5286 The phone number is a order number so you might ask to be forwarded to someone who can answer a technical question. Kozmo, I read with interest your posting here. Sounds like Kato has tried to cover their tails on this one...what with all the extra parts. No parts list...that's odd...real odd. Anyway, here's the phone number for Kato Ph.# 1-800-548-5286. I've tried getting through and the line is busy. Perhaps we aren't the only ones having difficulties. I would call the seller to advise of the problems and seek whatever resolution to the problems they can render. Give it a shot and let us know how it turns out.
Uh... oh... now two flopping traction tires. I've run mine for about an hour between the home layout and the club layout. I wonder how much longer before catastrophe strikes. Premature traction tire ejection sounds like big trouble... I hope they are isolated instances. I hate TT replacement... specially on small wheels... siderod disassembly... Oh the pain...sigh! I'll have to take a better look at what the replacement of the TT would entail... and if Kato already has replace TT's for the GS-4.
Something Don't Seem Right Here! Grandpa Joe, That's not what I want to hear, two traction tires loose? Gosh almighty. Something is incredibly wrong here. Ben, I just tried both numbers and got a fax signal. Perhaps they are being overrun with calls and put both numbers on the fax machine. I did go back and grabbed my optimizer and on the Kato parts list I have for a SD 90 Mac, the first number I gave is the "Order" number and the number you submitted is the "Fax" number. But woe be it unto me to call you anything but a gentleman. It sure seems like the number I gave is a "Fax" number... that's the signal I get when I call. Thanks for the heads up. Hrrrruuuummph!
Rick, here is Kato's page with phone and FAX: http://www.katousa.com/about-kato.html No harm, no one is going to get through anyway. On either number. Ben
As I wrote earlier, I returned my GS4 to my dealer (at his insistence) and called him this afternoon to see if it made it OK. He said that he was going to send me a replacement yesterday, but his phone and and email had overwhelmed him. According to him "this is huge!" He got calls and emails all day from customers with problems like have been recounted here. But he has also received calls from a few that have a GS4 that runs beautifully, no problems. I know the 60+ pre-ordered, but don't know the actual count of bad units. We agreed to not replace mine, but wait and see what Kato is going to do. He has talked to them and lots of problems exist. I am adopting a wait and see attitude. No hurry. Let Kato get it right and send me a Kato quality GS4. Until then I'll continue running with the "E" units or maybe my PA's?
thinking about the noise issue on mine. can someone confirm this on the drive wheels? -the first set (closest to teh front/nose) is pretty solid fixed. -the 2nd set - allows movement up and down, but not sprung. no spring action -the 3rd set is more fixed like the first - this looks to be the geared set of drivers and also has traction tires (if yours are still on). -the 4th set (rear most) is like the 2nd set but sprung. just wondering if the 2nd set of drivers is supposed to be sprung like the 4th set? if that is where I'm getting noise from?
