Kato FEF-3 question

[spookshow]

Looking for a little help getting that white plastic "shipping bracket" thingy put back on my FEF-3. You'd think it'd be obvious, but I can't even tell which way it goes on 

Thanks!
-Mark

[ntex]

I thought those were used on the Kato GS-4. The FEF had clam shell packaging.

[spookshow]

Well, it's in the box and it didn't get in there by accident. I don't even have a GS-4.

-Mark

[robert3985]

That's interesting.  I looked in all of my Kato FEF-3's boxes and none of them have a "shipping bracket" thingy. 

Maybe a photo of the thingy would help?

However, all mine have is the clamshell packaging and I bought all of mine brand new, so nothing in my boxes should be missing.

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[peteski]

Mark,
Here is a photo of both models in their packaging.



GS-4 came in a plastic jewel box, and the foam cradle also contained 2 soft plastic inserts:  One in the front of the loco, and the other is a large one which slides between the cab and the front of the tender.

All my FEF3s are packed  in a 2-piece molded cradle (similar to what Athearn used for the Big Boy and Challenger).  that cradle is then packaged in a foam surround in a cardboard box.  No plastic brackets are used.

[spookshow]

[spookshow]

Kato actually has an "unboxing" video for the FEF, aux tenders and excursion train on their website and that damned thing doesn't show up anyplace. What the hell is it?? 

-Mark

[Chris333]

I'd bet that goes under the loco (whatever loco) to keep the drawbar from crushing during shipping.

[spookshow]

Well, that was my assumption, but evidently I'm the only one in the world who got one.

-Mark

[spookshow]

Another useless clue - part number is 12602.

-Mark

[peteski]

Kato sometimes  uses a cradle which is used on the bottom (under the wheels) to keep  them lined up inside the packaging.  But with the 2-part clear tight fitting  cradle, that is not really necessary since there are indentations in the cradle for them to keep everything aligned.  If the piece is narrow enough to fit between the wheels, then it likely would be installed under the model.

Are you sure it came from the FEF loco and not some other model you reviewed?

[Mike C]

  I know that the Kato Mikado has one of these , but I don't own any other Kato steam . It sits below the drivers with the sticky uppy things pointing upward .   Mike

[ntex]

After seeing a photo it might be used on the Kato Mikado.
Adding to Mike's post. [ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[spookshow]

It was 10 years ago, so I have no clear memories of the de-boxing. But I can't think of any reason why I would cram a cradle into the FEF box that didn't come from the FEF. I'm way too OCD for that.

Anyhoo, I'm selling the model now, so I guess I'll just pitch the cradle.

-Mark

[spookshow]

I found a larger mikado picture, definitely the same cradle. But how one wound up in my FEF box? I'll never know.



-Mark