Any insite into the new Kato FEF-3 DCC capabilities

[Paradise275]

With the announcement of Kato's new FEF-3 steam loco, do you think they are going to "get with the times' and provide for a proper decoder and sound decoder instead of the Mickey Mouse one they had for the Southern Daylight? Their Kobo set up with two decoders was a pain.

Rick

[Paradise275]

Here is the answer from a retailer who called Kato for me. Thanks Chuck!

Dear Rick
Just off the phone with Kato. They are designing the tender to accommodate a
sound decoder and speaker. They are using the Digitrax decoder as it is the
largest speaker out there so the everything else should fit.
Chuck

Chuck Ciaccio
Feather River Trains Shop
25 Mitchell Blvd STE 14
San Rafael, Ca. 94903
(P)415-499-0664
(F)415-499-0690

[Paradise275]

Also direct from Kato USA

Rick

From: Kato Customer Service [katocs@katousa.com]
Sent: 11 August, 2014 1:12 PM
To: Store275
Subject: RE: Feedback: N Trains

Mr. Naudain,

The FEF-3 will be DCC compatible and capable of taking drop-in boards from
any manufacturer, unlike the GS-4 which was designed to use a proprietary
board. It will also be upgradable with Sound although we are not committing
to any particular system or style until we have the final product in hand
and can confirm the installation process.

Regards,

Michael Conway

[Nick Lorusso]

I was told by my local retailer that the DCC version will be a TCS decoder. Don't know how try this will be, but we will see come towards the end of the year.

[robert3985]

All of mine will have the Tsunami "Heavy Steam" sound decoders because the whistle is just right.  Whistles for Big Boys, U.P. Challengers and FEF-3's were all the same.

I'll also be making sure that any speaker enclosure included with the model or that I fabricate will be air-tight.

Can't wait!