Kato FEF review

[victor miranda]

I think the box does leave something to be desired...
(a jewel box springs to mind)

I didn't mention it because I have not commented one way or another
in any previous reviews I have written for a forum...
I sorta peel the loco apart and I always thought the box or case was something
one could see and evaluate.
I suppose the mail order buyers would need to know that.

next loco I get to write a review about, I'll mention how I feel about the packaging.

I should point out that kato has been shipping trains (car collections) in foam and cardboard
for a while now.

they may think the new package is better for getting an undamaged loco to the customer.

victor

[peteski]

I think the box does leave something to be desired...
(a jewel box springs to mind)

I didn't mention it because I have not commented one way or another
in any previous reviews I have written for a forum...
I sorta peel the loco apart and I always thought the box or case was something
one could see and evaluate.
I suppose the mail order buyers would need to know that.

next loco I get to write a review about, I'll mention how I feel about the packaging.

I should point out that kato has been shipping trains (car collections) in foam and cardboard
for a while now.

they may think the new package is better for getting an undamaged loco to the customer.

victor

Well, in most cases the packaging is just fine. In this case I thought it was such a step backwards (or since Kato never packed locos in a cardboard/vacuformed cradles) simply new step in a wrong direction that I felt it should be mentioned.  As you can tell, it really bugged me to receive a true state-of-the-art model in a crappy way-oversize box!

If the train set packages you are thinking about are those vinyl bookcase boxes with a cardboard sleeve (they look and open like a book) then I think those are fine (for holding multiple cars).  I like them. The are easy to deal with (just open the "book" cover and the cars are nicely nested in a foam cradle.  It is the cardboard puzzle FEF box that bugs me.

[victor miranda]

Hi Peteski,

I am thinking you have not seen the boxes for the broadway and daylight.

the vinyl 'book' type was also used  for the CC s2.

victor

[Cameron_Talley]

Any pictures of the offending box?

[C855B]

Any pictures of the offending box?

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=34776.msg404410#msg404410

[peteski]

Any pictures of the offending box?

Here it is compared to a GS-4 box. 
I wanted to just trim the FEF's vacuformed plastic cradle and put it in a GS-4 box but Kato is all sold out of spare GS-4 boxes!    Maybe someone has a spare one they can sell to me.

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[Chris333]

How close are these to an NYC loco?  (trying to find a reason for one) 
http://madisonrails.railfan.net/nyc/nyc6000a.jpg

[peteski]

Hi Peteski,

I am thinking you have not seen the boxes for the broadway and daylight.
the vinyl 'book' type was also used  for the CC s2.
victor

I don't mind the Daylight type of package (although I would prefer the book style).  The Daylight box is nice and slim, and it opens easily. The FEF package is just silly.

[victor miranda]

How close are these to an NYC loco?  (trying to find a reason for one) 
http://madisonrails.railfan.net/nyc/nyc6000a.jpg

well.  If you ignore the tender... it is a pretty good stand in.

[victor miranda]

K guys...

last time I ran a motor to failure...
I got the decided impression that few were interested.
I got a few others telling me I was wasting my time and so on.

I have a spare motor from Kato...
and I may trade with peteski for his spare ( I like spare motors...)

at a guess of 700 hours and 160 hours a week,
If my guess is right, that is about 5 weeks...
it is not exciting to run.

victor

[basementcalling]

I don't mind the Daylight type of package (although I would prefer the book style).  The Daylight box is nice and slim, and it opens easily. The FEF package is just silly.

+1. Wasteful overkill. Peteski is right on this one.

Wonder if a Bachmann box for a Spectrum steamer would fit the FEF? Worth investigating though putting a Kato in a Bachmann container could have consequences.

Maybe someone will 3D print a better container?

[peteski]

Sure Victor, you can have my FEF motor. I figured since it is already cracked open, it woudl be good for the longevity test. Just put a dab of glue on the brush holder and install it in your loco.  That way it will be easier t take apart once it finally fails.

Peter P. :  The Kato GS-4 box is almost a perfect fit for the FEF vacu-formed cradle (I only need to trim the ends a bit).  I think the Bachmann boxes are too shallow (major trimming would be required).  Plus as you said, a (superb quality - best yet) Kato loco in a Bachmann box it just isn't right!! 

[oakcreekco]

Victor, how many hours have you logged on the FEF?  Any change of performance or sound from it?

Thanks

[H Lee]

Here it is compared to a GS-4 box. 
I wanted to just trim the FEF's vacuformed plastic cradle and put it in a GS-4 box but Kato is all sold out of spare GS-4 boxes!    Maybe someone has a spare one they can sell to me.

Won't the standard passenger car / loco motive plastic box work????? Or are all of their plastic boxes out of stock?

[victor miranda]

hi oakcreekco,

I am not running the loco.
I was not planning to because it seemed like few cared.
At some point testing finger brushes to death is a waste of time
simply from seeing how long they survive in past locos.

the few failures of motors I have noted on the forums also have
a sort of selective deafness about what failed.
Along with no follow up post on the repair of the failed loco.

It does appear that few complain to the manufacturers about the use of finger brushes.
how long do you feel a motor should hold in service?

victor