Kato USA Model Train Products 1260401 N Scale Union Pacific FEF-3 Steam Locomotive Train 844

It’s nicely detailed, Lots of pulling power at a great price, Kato Locomotives run very smooth.

Great product. Excellent workmanship.

Awesome steam engine, great color design at a great price. If you buy Kato you will be very happy with this one.

The FEE wheel rods keep coming apart. Fortunately have been able to find the pins and put back together. This is happening with the N scale Big boy too. Aesthetically they look great but for the price I’d rather have functionality. Yard boss steam locomotive is still going after 3years. Sticking to n scale diesel locomotives from now on.

This train runs slowly and smoothly and does not derail or jitter when running very slow. We recently returned the big boy version from KATO because it worked intermittently and continually derailed.

Received the package 2 days early, engine ran smoothly on 15" elevated radius but kept derailing on an 11" flat radius even though it states that it'll handle the tight 11" flat radius. The drive wheel flanges are not that deep which causes it to derail going into a turnout coming out of a slight curve,so if you can avoid having a turnout coming off a slight curve and take the turnout slow it'll do just fine. Which is why I'm only giving 4 stars, I just laid down a big layout with an elevated figure 8 with the 15" radius curves and have 11" radius flat curves just to check out how this engine would do before I decide on a layout to do in a table, note I also have a kato big boy that has no problems running this quick laid layout. If you've got room for a longer/wider radius than a 12 3/8" then this FEF-3 will do just fine for you.

This locomotive is beautifully made. It rolls nicely even at low speeds and it's fun to watch with so many moving parts and details. There are some very small pieces and fine details so it needs to be handled very carefully. This locomotive is meant to be partnered with Kato's Union Pacific Water Tenders and 7 piece Excursion Car Set (both sold separately).This locomotive is long and requires a minimum 11" radius curve on flat track, and 15" radius on viaduct track. If you add the water tenders and 7pc car set, your train will be more than 8 feet long, so it's really best for a large, permanent layout.Recommended for serious hobbyists

Locomotive details are exceptional, paint color and detail fidelity match the prototype in excursion service well. DCC is a must and board installation could be better, but is still plug and play so no soldering required. There is a break in period required, I recommend running on DC before going to DCC to work in the the gears and oil provided by the manufacturer. The only thing that I would ask Kato to consider is a draft box front coupler not a truck mounted coupler, the coupler is way too toy like and not effective for double heading. Lead engine pulled the coupler from the front pilot.