N scale Kato GS4 vs FEF-3

[peteski]

I had issues with this same one years ago if memory serves me correctly. I have spares and per the Kato website both units use the same tire.

Yes, correct - same tires. But I find that the more recent spare tires (after FEF-3 was made) seem to fit a bit tighter on the driver's rim.  Not sure how old your spares are.

[CBQ Fan]

Yes, correct - same tires. But I find that the more recent spare tires (after FEF-3 was made) seem to fit a bit tighter on the driver's rim.  Not sure how old your spares are.

That is the million $ question...I am pretty sure I ordered them after the FEF because I remember ordering them for stock figuring one day I would need them.  I am glad to hear they are better!

[peteski]

That is the million $ question...I am pretty sure I ordered them after the FEF because I remember ordering them for stock figuring one day I would need them.  I am glad to hear they are better!

I did not do any specific testing, but when I was installing them they seemed to be a bit stiffer (less stretchy).

[Cajonpassfan]

The one I notice most frequently is the fulcrum pins walking out but it's a pretty simple fix once you notice it.

I made a video of it a while back.

The other one is *if* you install sound in the tender and drape wires to the and they aren't hung right, it throws off the balance of the engine and causes the pilot truck to derail.  I figured this out pretty quickly with the first small run of ESU equipped FEF3's I built up. 

Nothing major and easy to rectify in both cases.

Now the GS4...I have horror stories.  I honestly dispise that engine because I've fixed so many of them (think in the hundreds of repairs over the years on the conservative side).  They've gotten much better with the revised drivers but there are still lots of other points of failure and issues that pop up. 

Side note, I can replace a set of drivers on a GS4 in less than 10 minutes.   

Anywhoo...Enjoy!

Kelley.
www.dufordmodelworks.com

Bump! Well, I can't run the video now, and my fabulous KATO sound equipped FEF3 has developed an annoying habit of derailing the pilot truck and even the trailing truck. It's a sweet, extremely quiet and smooth running engine, until it derails on what I consider darn good trackage. I put a bit of tungsten weight on the pilot truck, but it still misbehaves. The wheels are in gauge.
Anyone else having these issues?
Input appreciated,
Otto K.

[RBrodzinsky]

Otto,

Adjust the wires running between the tender and loco.  One probably got pulled, or looped under one of the front ladders of the tender.  Don't pull the wires tight, they need slack, or else the swing of the loco gets hindered.

[Jbub]

Also the pilot truck is directional. Although it can be oriented either way, there is a front and back to it and if the back is leading, it will derail. I can't remember which way it goes though.

[Cajonpassfan]

Thanks! I did check the wiring and will recheck the direction of the truck when I get home. The pilot truck just seem way too loose and flops around a lot. I'd post a pic but keep getting "uploader full" message...
Otto

[peteski]

I'd post a pic but keep getting "uploader full" message...
Otto

Only when attaching photos to posts. Gallery uploads work ok.    has mentioned in the past  that he prefers if we use the gallery.
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=53793

[Cajonpassfan]

Well, I did manage to upload the photo, see above. For those of you who own a Kato FEF, does the pilot truck have this much play?
Thanks,
Otto

[Jbub]

Well, I did manage to upload the photo, see above. For those of you who own a Kato FEF, does the pilot truck have this much play?
Thanks,
Otto

I can't be 100% certain on this since I don't have mine in front of me, but I think the pilot guide is not fully installed. If you look at the photo you posted there is a tab at the front of the guide that is resting on top of the chassis, and the angle that it's resting is causing the the pilot to tilt backwards. In watching Kelley's video, when he removes that piece, he had to angle the front out of the chassis indicating to me that the tab fits into a slot on the chassis. Other than that, the pilot is super wobbly when sitting upside down because it's resting on the spring.

[ns737]

yes that pilot guide is not inserted right

[peteski]

THis is how mine looks like.


I took that photo because Javier had a problem with the leading truck which was described in https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=49448.0 . Might be helpful to take a peek at it.

[Cajonpassfan]

Thank you all very much for the advice. I finally had some time to watch the video and work on the engine this morning. The pilot truck was indeed installed backwards, and while I had it out, I decided to add a bit of tungsten putty and a small tungsten disk on the bottom of the truck for little extra weight. Figured it couldn't hurt. I also inserted a bamboo skewer inside the spring and stretched the spring just a wee bit. That seems to have done the trick.
Another problem I have is the trailing truck derailing in reverse in few places, so I decided to install more weight on the underside of it as well. I've yet to test it, after the glue sets.

Thank you again for pointing me in the right direction!
Otto K.

[reinhardtjh]

While you have it pointing in the right direction you might want to paint an arrow pointing forward just in case it gets flipped around again.  A little positive reinforcement never hurts.