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Nov 7, 2014 - N Scale
Kato N Scale UP FEF-3 Loco and Excursion Train Update (Important)
Attention N Scale Modelers:
We received notice from Kato this week (11/05) that 93% of these items are already sold. We are ordering a few extra complete sets of the Engines, Tenders and Cars, but we will combine these extra items into a complete set and will not sell the invidual parts once Kato cuts off the orders. So if you want a specific engine, Tenders or Passenger Cars you should order now.
Preorders have been heavy and many customers who do not even model UP have been buying these, so we expect them to be gone before they arrive.
So if you are ordering passenger cars, tenders or engines, please insure you have picked the correct versions! Remember there are FEF-3 4-8-4's with or without DCC. And there are car Sets with or without lights!
Also all of those who have placed orders should remember to include any lighting kits for the additional 2 tenders. If you want both tenders to have lights, you will need to order 2 sets of the lighting kit not 1! We will buy additional set of Engines with DCC and Passenger Cars with lights to sell as a complete set with Tenders. We will not open up sets to fill late requests for parts of the train! We will buy additional set of Engines without DCC and Passenger Cars without lights to sell as a complete set with Tenders. We will not open up sets to fill late requests for parts of the train!
So if you want any of the component parts of the items below (i.e. you just want the engines, or you just want the cars), you need to order now to insure you get what you want. After Friday you are at the mercy of what is left available at our suppliers.
Check out the video of a preprodution sample of the FEF:
Prototype Information:
The Union Pacific FEF (Four Eight Four), along with the GS-4 is easily one of the most recognizable US steam prototypes still in operation today. The FEF-3 series of steam locomotives was delivered in 1944 and were the last, and some of the largest, steam locomotives delivered for use by the Union Pacific. Operated solely by the Union Pacific, the FEF's (sometimes referred to as "Northerns", due to the NP's being the first to build steam locomotives with the 4-8-4 wheel arrangement) were intended primarily to be passenger locomotives but the UP's large fleet of available diesels meant that the FEF's were put to work in secondary passenger and fast freight service.
Today, FEF-3 #844 (at some times during history also known as #8444 to avoid numbering conflictions with a diesel loco) survives to pull excursion trains as a publicity locomotive for the Union Pacific, and is one the UP's oldest operating locmotives.
Accompanying the "living legend" FEF-3 is always at least one of a pair of Union Pacific Water Tenders, carrying spare water for the steam engine (Water filling stations being a rarity in the diesel era). These unique re-built cars have seen service as both Steam and Gas Turbine Electric fuel tenders before finally settling into their current forms as part of UP's steam heritage fleet where they operate as separate (but always-present) cars.
Model Information:
The Kato N Scale FEF-3 follows in the footsteps of its Southern Pacific 4-8-4 cousin, refining the basic concept of a high-power, flexible steam locomotive which is easily upgradable to DCC by coupling a special, isolated coreless motor drive system with heavy duty flywheels and a flexible cross-braced suspension system that gives the locomotive a high torque, high traction grip that ensures constant and consistent pressure spread across the primary drivers. Another benefit of the coreless motor system is that the locomotive will have an extremely low starting voltage, giving the locomotive slow creeping speeds that will allow modelers to appreciate the complex arrangement of moving side rods that make steam operation so exciting. Other features, such as the locomotive's unique "Centipede" style tender being fitted with special articulation mechanisms that appear seamless when observed but will bend and flex to allow the locomotive to navigate tighter corners than should otherwise be possible!
The Water Tenders will be an all-new design and will be sold as a two-pack for modelers to supplement their FEF-3 or other UP steam locomotives. Just like the prototype models, the two tenders are not identical, having (in addition to one car having an externally mounted American Flag plate) different weld mark details which will be replicated on the models of the two cars, ensuring that their unique spirit is preserved when translated into model form.
The third component of this Union Pacific release will be a 7-car Excursion train consist featuring two brand new cars - A Power Car (A modified/rebuilt Baggage Dormitory car prototypically used for providing head end power to the trailing cars) and a UP Business car "Kenefick" will form the head and tail of the excursion consist, which will include notable cars like the vibrantly decorated Promontory Museum car, with its full-body American Flag wrap, and a pair of Dome cars.
Model Features:
- FEF-3: Semi-modern appearance is appropriate for modern layouts behind UP Excursion trains as well as historical layouts operating freight and UP passenger services.
- FEF-3: New coreless motor design with dual brass flywheels for silky-smooth performance at all speeds, even slow crawls.
- FEF-3: Special cross-braced shock absorbers equalize the pressure on the locomotive drivers to maximize traction.
- FEF-3: Illuminated headlight and locomotive numberboards. The FEF tender does not have operational lights, but lighting kits are available for the special Water Tender cars (sold separately)
- FEF-3: DCC friendly design, allowing for easy drop-in installation of DCC. This locomotive is also available with DCC pre-installed from Kato USA!
- Water Tenders: Can be upgraded with an optional light board to illuminate marker lights in either direction (sold separately)
- Water Tenders: The separate "Flag" plate will be prototypically applied to the Jim Adams Car.
- 11" (282mm) Minimum turning radius
- All detail parts installed
Product Preview Images; click for higher resolution images
The FEF-3's initial release is the well-known #844, the last (and longest) surviving FEF-3 Steam locomotive, operated to this day by the UP on its excursion trains. |
 The Model FEF-3 will be capable of being displayed with either the cab windows open or closed - easily swapped with a removable part - so that modelers can depict the FEF-3 in the manner of their choosing. |
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 Like the GS-4 before it, the FEF-3 will have a removable cab roof so that modelers can get a clear view of any engine crews they decide to place inside the detailed and accessible cab interior. The roof will clip securely in place so it won't dislodge unless you want it to! |
 The FEF-3 is exquisitely detailed, all the way from the flanges of its drivers to the tips of its stacks. The headlight will be lit with directional LED lighting which will also illuminate the numberboards to the side. The large red emergency light and train number (seen here with the X-844 markings) will not illuminate. (Please note that this image is of a pre-production sample, so some details such as the bell, are still missing). |
 The FEF-3's unique 14-wheel tender has a multi-part articulated design that allows it to navigate curves that would otherwise be impossible due to its design, a feature which also allows it to sit prototypically close to the cab while maintaining an 11" minimum radius! |
 UP Business Car "Kenefick" |
 Power Car #207 (Photo 1) Unlike most cars, the Power Car has two different style trucks. On this end, a standard four axle truck... |
 Power Car #207 (Photo 2) ... While this end of the car has a heavier-duty six-axle truck! |
Unique tooling across both cars to replicate each’s unique weld lines and the special US Flag plate on #809. The cars can be upgraded with an optional DCC friendly light board to light up the head light on the front or rear of either car.
A 1962 Vintage Baggage car, “Promontory” rebuilt and refitted #5779 into a traveling Museum exhibition car for use on its excursion trains, adorning the outer body with the large US Flag graphic that makes it immediately identifiable in an excursion consist and filling the interior with a variety of interactive exhibits and memorabilia of Union Pacific’s past.
Excursion Train 7-Car Set
NEW Special Cars:
Originally a Baggage/Dormitory car, this special car was rebuilt as a Steam Generator dormitory to provide steam and heat to trains in the early diesel era on trains which previously had relied on steam locomotives to provide both. Later in life they were converted again, fitted with Diesel generators (now a Power Car) to provide electricity for trains and are now, in a fitting twist, used on UP’s Steam-pulled excursion trains to provide Head End Power.
Named after John Cooper Kenefick, president of the Union Pacific railroad from 1971 to 1983, “Kenefick” is a Pullman-built Business car utilized on special excursion trains and is one of 9 platform observation cars in Union Pacific’s heritage fleet; Offering luxurious dining space and accommodations for only the most special of events, private cars such as these are a rare and exciting treat for railroaders to get a glimpse of, inside or out.
Both of the above cars will be brand new for the Union Pacific Excursion train set, being fully compatible with Kato’s standard interior lighting kits and with the Business car coming with pre-installed illumination for the tail lights and a fully detailed interior.
Reservations Due By: August 29, 2014
Expected Release: December 2014
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Product Details
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