N Scale Union Pacific FEF-3 Steam Locomotive 844 by Kato USA

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. Operated solely by the Union Pacific, the FEF's 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.

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. 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, further enhance the realism of this model.

The Kato N Scale FEF-3 features several model-specific details, including an illuminated headlight and locomotive numberboards. However, the FEF tender does not have operational lights, but lighting kits are available for the special Water Tender cars (sold separately). The model is also DCC friendly, allowing for easy drop-in installation of DCC, and has a minimum turning radius of 11" (282mm) on ground level track and 15" (381mm) on Viaduct track.

One of the standout features of the Kato N Scale FEF-3 is its special cross-braced shock absorbers, which equalize the pressure on the locomotive drivers to maximize traction. This, combined with the other technical advancements incorporated into the design, ensures that the model provides an exceptional and realistic operating experience for modelers.

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