2014 N Scale Locomotive of the Year

[rrjim1]

State of the art?  Inside bearings, old fashion electric pickup wipers and as I am led to believe plastic gears molded onto metal axles.  It might be good running, but to me it is old-school, not state of the art.

Taking old ideas and improving on them with modern manufacturing to make a super running/looking loco is far from old school.

[peteski]

Taking old ideas and improving on them with modern manufacturing to make a super running/looking loco is far from old school.

I guess I'm just spoiled by the all-new (and really revolutionary) mechanism designs from Kato and copied (because they are so good) by several other model RR manufacturers.

[rrjim1]

I guess I'm just spoiled by the all-new (and really revolutionary) mechanism designs from Kato and copied (because they are so good) by several other model RR manufacturers.

You sure lost me with the "all new and really revolutionary", because I haven't seen anything from Kato like that?

[peteski]

You sure lost me with the "all new and really revolutionary", because I haven't seen anything from Kato like that?

As the story goes, it all started with those low-friction wiper-less and axle-point bearing trucks on U30C over couple of decades ago.  The rest is history...

Maybe you haven't owned any Kato locos in the last couple of decades, including the truly ground-breaking steam loco they just released few weeks ago. You know, the one with coreless motor. 

[spookshow]

Actually, Bachmann gets the credit for being the first to go with a coreless motor in a North American N scale locomotive (non-brass, anyways).

Cheers,
-Mark

[garethashenden]

If Arnold has been producing European models successfully with this pickup system then they are quite likely to stick with it, at least for their first release. They know it works and their factory knows how to do it. The Kato system may be better in principle, but everything has a learning curve and I bet it's one risk they didn't want to take.

[up1950s]

Kato America FEF-3 is my choice .

Kato Japan wanted to use the GS-4 mechanism , but Kato America I have heard ,  said (pf) it has a pile if defective GS-4's and it wanted to re-do the mechanism . Kato American prevailed in convincing Kato Japan it would seam . So far the loco is well received except for the bottom plate screws backing out which may or may not have caused the drivers getting out of quarter and some crank pins coming off . Time will tell if this is one , two , or three separate problems . This loco is so new that there hasn't been time for exhaustive tests . I would like to think it's weak link is those plate screws . If so it would be honorable if Kato America owned up and makes a cautionary short statement in the model railroad periodicals with their accepted cures that wouldn't void the warranty .       

[peteski]

Actually, Bachmann gets the credit for being the first to go with a coreless motor in a North American N scale locomotive (non-brass, anyways).

Oh yeah, that's right. I guess in my unconscious mind the word innovation or revolutionary and Bachmmann somehow don't fit together. I guess I've seen Bachmann make low-end crappy models for so long that I still can't get over that association. 

[CBQ Fan]

Oh yeah, that's right. I guess in my unconscious mind the word innovation or revolutionary and Bachmmann somehow don't fit together. I guess I've seen Bachmann make low-end crappy models for so long that I still can't get over that association. 

I too have a hard time taking Bachmann serious or laying out cash for their products.  Oh well money to spend on other products.

[strummer]

Shades of the old Atlas forum...

Now,now,before this thread turns into a Bachmann bashing party,let's not forget they have released some very fine models....(though I do get what you mean.)

Mark in Oregon

[CBQ Fan]

As someone who models the CB&Q Bachmann makes it easy as they offer nothing new and improved for my road.  So to buy something another road name just because it is cool just doesn't make sense to me.

[strummer]

I'm not advocating you buy Bachmann "just because"; I get where you're coming from regarding the Q., and regarding Bachmann's "checkered" history.

I was merely pointing out that this thread is not about what Bachmann has or hasn't done,and it just seemed to be drifting off in that direction just a tad.

No offense intended...

Mark in Oregon

[CBQ Fan]

I'm not advocating you buy Bachmann "just because"; I get where you're coming from regarding the Q., and regarding Bachmann's "checkered" history.

I was merely pointing out that this thread is not about what Bachmann has or hasn't done,and it just seemed to be drifting off in that direction just a tad.

No offense intended...

Mark in Oregon

None taken! 

[OldEastRR]

I assume this is just a "love at first sight" selection, and we're not comparing mechanical aspects, pulling power, prototype accuracy, manufacturer reputation, need for that model in N scale, etc? So just go with your heart, guys -- whatever loco looks cool, whether ground-breaking technology or single railroad use only or massive numbers of the prototype produced doesn't matter.
I vote for the FEF because it looks cool with all those details and a million wheels. Don't own one, never will, my layout is set in New England but damn! that's a hot looking loco!

[GN63]

My vote goes to the Hornby U25C, even though one of the two I received yesterday has serious pickup problems.  The other one runs and pulls well, and has best handrails I have ever seen on a production unit.  The road specific details are another plus for the model. 
I know the Kato FEF is probably a great engine, but I will never have the need to get one, along with the overwhelming fact railroads I worked for were and are direct competitors of the UP, so not much UP stuff on my railroad.  I guess I will get to find out how well Hornby America customer service is.