Weekend Update 5/28/17

[jereising]

I have quite a few FVMs that are Katos equal or better. 

FVM had a lube issue - which has not been the case with the FVM ACes. 

I have had to completely disassemble and degrease several FVMs.

But once run in and properly lubed, they are sweet machines.

[peteski]

I have quite a few FVMs that are Katos equal or better. 

FVM had a lube issue - which has not been the case with the FVM ACes. 

I have had to completely disassemble and degrease several FVMs.

But once run in and properly lubed, they are sweet machines.

Yes, with some work they will be better, but Kato mechanisms are still better made. Even just the better components quality makes them better mechanisms.  Sweet running FVM? Yes, but they will never be Katos.  Better then Katos?  No way, I respectfully disagree.

[rochsub]

Yes, with some work they will be better, but Kato mechanisms are still better made. Even just the better components quality makes them better mechanisms.  Sweet running FVM? Yes, but they will never be Katos.  Better then Katos?  No way, I respectfully disagree.

Kato went overboard on their engineering of their latest locos.  The gears are too fine and consistently pick up little pieces of debris that foul things up.  I spend way to much time disassembling trucks and cleaning out the gears.  I do not have this problem with older design Katos or FVM.  FVM did have some quality control issues with earlier releases, but these SD70ACe all run great out of the box.  They may be a bit louder than Katos, but FVM run just as smooth without the gear problem.   Add to this the much better overall appearance of the FVM and I completely understand why Jim is going FVM for his SD70ACe fleet.

Daryl

[peteski]

Kato went overboard on their engineering of their latest locos.  The gears are too fine and consistently pick up little pieces of debris that foul things up.  I spend way to much time disassembling trucks and cleaning out the gears.  I do not have this problem with older design Katos or FVM.  FVM did have some quality control issues with earlier releases, but these SD70ACe all run great out of the box.  They may be a bit louder than Katos, but FVM run just as smooth without the gear problem.   Add to this the much better overall appearance of the FVM and I completely understand why Jim is going FVM for his SD70ACe fleet.

Daryl

I do agree about over-enginnering, but if kept clean they run like fine Swiss watches.  Keeep your layout clean! 
Just kidding!  Here is a very simple fix which should drastically decrease the amount of cleanings.



Yes, just cover the gear slots with a piece of masking tape (I used blue painter's tape).  Works great!

[MK]

Pete, that's an EXCELLET and simple idea!  (Now where's my 3M blue tape???)

[rochsub]

I do agree about over-enginnering, but if kept clean they run like fine Swiss watches.  Keeep your layout clean! 
Just kidding!  Here is a very simple fix which should drastically decrease the amount of cleanings.



Yes, just cover the gear slots with a piece of masking tape (I used blue painter's tape).  Works great!

"Yes, with some work they will be better, but Kato mechanisms are still better made. Even just the better components quality makes them better mechanisms.  Sweet running FVM? Yes, but they will never be Katos.  Better then Katos?  No way, I respectfully disagree."

Yes with some work the Katos will be better. 

Good idea about covering the gear openings.  I'll have to try that.

Daryl

[mu26aeh]

I do agree about over-enginnering, but if kept clean they run like fine Swiss watches.  Keeep your layout clean! 
Just kidding!  Here is a very simple fix which should drastically decrease the amount of cleanings.



Yes, just cover the gear slots with a piece of masking tape (I used blue painter's tape).  Works great!

I picked this fix up from @sundowner when I got one of his SD40-2 off eBay. 

Now where in the hell is my painters tape ?  I had 3 or 4 rolls around the house, because I could never find the last one.  Guess I will have 5 now 

[John]

Working on another backdrop industry ..

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Now where in the hell is my painters tape ?  I had 3 or 4 rolls around the house, because I could never find the last one.  Guess I will have 5 now 

I have that same problem...

[seusscaboose]

New Bluford Shorties (USRA 30'6") release coming up out of Davis Coke & Coal

(replaced factory loads w/ Hay Brothers loads)
need to give them a good weathering coat... then they will be fine...

[nickelplate759]

Super nice!

[seusscaboose]

 

Especially the background RPO

[OldEastRR]

Looks like the school bus had a wreck....

[unittrain]

Laying more track then on to some photograph worthy work soon. Also received 5 Delaware Valley EL cylindrical hoppers this week got them on eBay for only $40  Delaware​ Valley did the EL lettering much better than Bowser on the EL's

[seusscaboose]

Looks like the school bus had a wreck....

Hills of WV