I have a later model Rivarossi 4-8-4 FEF-3 Union Pacific #844 and am very disappointed with the tracking of this loco and tender. It seems like every little tiny imperfection in the track it picks up on and derails. I use code 100 track, so flange depth is not the issue. All of the wheel sets are in gauge, coupler heights are correct.
It is a gorgeous locomotive, but it has been relegated to display status.
I hate to do this, because I like to run my trains, but I don’t want to wreck it either with constant derailments. I don’t have problems with any other steam loco I have…
I wonder how the Athearn FEF’s run? How do they track? I would buy one but don’t want to experience the same problems as I have with the Rivarossi…
The new release ones? Nobody even has them yet, not until end of Jan.
I preordered one and I hope it runs good.
But I also have the older Athearn Genesis 4-8-4 FEF, from like 4 years ago. And it runs like a champ. In fact its my best running steamer. It NEVER derails!!
So I’m hoping the new release runs as good as the old ones.
This is the Walthers Exclusive / Rivarossi from the last run before they went belly up, and I have had no problems with either this or the Athearn FEF-3.
I purchased the 2013 versions of the Genesis Challenger & Big Boy and so far have been quite satisfied with them, if they give an indication of what the FEF-3 upcoming will be like. The new ones (with Tsunami decoder) do not have the MRC decoders that earlier models contained, with many reporting unsatisfactory results. I can’t compare with other brands on FEF-3s, getting back to the hobby just last year and only having a few recent BLI and Bachmann steamers so far. On tracking, the Genesis steamers take my not so perfect code 83 trackage just fine, whereas my BLI mountain was a bit finnecky backing up until my LHS guy fiddled with it. I plan to purchase a Genesis FEF-3, assuming supervisory approval can be obtained.
Most of my derails with this loco came from the tender. I took out some of the wheel sets in the tender and that helped. I am considering adding weight to the loco and believe that would help as it seems light.
Well in that case, just make sure you replace the MRC sound decoder in them, and replace it with a Tsunami or Loksound decoder.
I had the MRC decoder in my old Athearn FEF for about a week, and it would barely run. It was horrible! I replaced it with a Tsunami and now it runs and sounds great.
Are the older one’s even available now? I had a hard time finding one, that was 2 years ago.
Just get the new released Athearn, I think it comes out in Jan.