Coronations and 4Fs on Kato #4

MalcolmInN · January 01, 2015, 07:49:21 PM

Lots of good reviews of the new Farish Coronations and 4Fs on the forum, making them very tempting

I wonder if anyone is running either of them on Kato track, in particular how do they get on with the No4 points please ?

MalcolmInN · January 02, 2015, 09:35:58 PM

Oh! None of the Kato boys & girls buy themselves a new Farish for Crimble then ?

Geoff · January 02, 2015, 10:29:43 PM

Quote from: MalcolmAL on January 02, 2015, 09:35:58 PM
Oh! None of the Kato boys & girls buy themselves a new Farish for Crimble then ?

I am still wiring my track but I will tellyou how my J39 and A4 Pacific fairs in a couple of days, waiting for the LMS 4F to come out.

MalcolmInN · January 02, 2015, 11:37:28 PM

Oh yes, I was forgetting that the 4F was only available (late crest) in the seaside set.

That will be interesting Geoff, they are candidates on my list as well

Crackerbill · January 03, 2015, 10:37:04 AM

Hi
Personally I can't speak for the Princess Coronation class nor the 4F on my Kato track. But I do have some 15 steamers from Minitrix through Poole Farish and Bachmann Farish (including some new issues in 2014) plus a couple of Dapols. Most of my locos are relatively newish (Bachmann Farish or Dapol) and I have no problems with Kato track points. All my locos move through the #4 point perfectly. I do have a similar number of diesels - all late crest plus two DMUs and a railcar. Again all travel well through #4 points.

Although I would dearly love to have the latest issue of locos I have had to stop buying anything new this Christmas as I just havn't the room.

My son, who is in the process of converting to Kato track, has both the 4F and a Princess Coronation class loco. He tests all his new stuff on Kato track and points and has not expressed any problems.

I have always made sure there is at least a small straight before each point so maybe that is a clue to my success or maybe I have been lucky?!!

From what I have heard I don't think there is an issue with latest models by Farish and Dapol and the #4 Kato point.

MalcolmInN · January 03, 2015, 11:39:31 AM

Thanks Bill, very interesting, very promising
and thanks to son as well

Geoff · January 06, 2015, 08:01:59 AM

Malcolm I have not forgot to try the Loco's on my layout just to add I ordered the 4F today so hopefully when I test the others I will run in the 4F and let you know.

lil chris · January 06, 2015, 10:31:10 PM

I got my 4F today in the seaside set, couldn't wait for it to come out. I am on Peco track but I run it in on the GF set track with the set and I can tell you it does not like the radius 1 curves, it derailed a few times.

MalcolmInN · January 06, 2015, 10:56:47 PM

Quote from: lil chris on January 06, 2015, 10:31:10 PM
I got my 4F today in the seaside set, couldn't wait for it to come out. I am on Peco track but I run it in on the GF set track with the set and I can tell you it does not like the radius 1 curves, it derailed a few times.

Oh dear that's not good news, I was beginning to warm to that set !
[it is late for my preferred era ( which is LMS/Early ) but hey life is too short, as long as the loco is the right type, wot say !

]

So how does it (yet?) perform on your Peco which is radius ??
Or is that for ~~playing~~ testing tomorrow ?

Thanks for the info, all grist to the mill,
one would think that it ought to perform ok with the supplied track,
so one needs-must think of a return ??

Geoff · January 07, 2015, 05:07:30 AM

Quote from: lil chris on January 06, 2015, 10:31:10 PM
I got my 4F today in the seaside set, couldn't wait for it to come out. I am on Peco track but I run it in on the GF set track with the set and I can tell you it does not like the radius 1 curves, it derailed a few times.

What are you calling the radious one curves Chris?

johnlambert · January 07, 2015, 09:42:57 AM

Quote from: lil chris on January 06, 2015, 10:31:10 PM
I got my 4F today in the seaside set, couldn't wait for it to come out. I am on Peco track but I run it in on the GF set track with the set and I can tell you it does not like the radius 1 curves, it derailed a few times.

That's a pity, I've not found a problem with the 4F on Peco Settrack points and it is fine on my Peco second radius oval.

Bealman · January 07, 2015, 09:56:44 AM

I know absolutely nothing about Kato track, but these #4 points keep coming up as problematic in several threads. I assume they are short radius? I have always tried to use long points if I have space. Look more prototypical, too.

austinbob · January 07, 2015, 10:59:58 AM

Quote from: Bealman on January 07, 2015, 09:56:44 AM
I know absolutely nothing about Kato track, but these #4 points keep coming up as problematic in several threads. I assume they are short radius? I have always tried to use long points if I have space. Look more prototypical, too.

I've spent a bit of time contemplating switching to Kato track and, as you say, the #4 point problem keeps cropping up. Trouble is Bealman is that the #6 points are bigger radius but the geometry is such that if you, for example, use them as a cross over the distance between the parallel tracks is quite wide and looks odd.

In the end I decided to stick with the Peco code 55 even though it means a lot of extra work.

Newportnobby · January 07, 2015, 11:04:06 AM

I'm sure I recall someone posting how to modify the #4 points with just a bit of judicious filing of the stock rail such that the switch rail sits tighter against it.
If anyone remembers or posted such advice maybe they could do so again please.

austinbob · January 07, 2015, 11:15:48 AM

Quote from: Bealman on January 07, 2015, 09:56:44 AM
I know absolutely nothing about Kato track, but these #4 points keep coming up as problematic in several threads. I assume they are short radius? I have always tried to use long points if I have space. Look more prototypical, too.

Here's a diagram to explain better

[smg id=20204 type=full align=center caption="Kato track example"]