A British domestic train from Kato? 800 series available from May 2021

[Trainfish]

Having just heard back from the supplier of mine, they shall remain nameless for now, this is apparently not faulty. They say "We have watched your video and comparing the copy we have on our shelf as well as multiple others that we have tested and we can confirm that these are loud runners and as such do not believe this to be faulty.
The only thing we can suggest that may improve sound is possibly to apply some light lubrication."

Mine was a LOT quieter when first run so I'd be interested to hear from anyone else who may have a comparitive opinion on this. Even better if you have a similar video of the motorised car running at a similar speed. I had already tried light lubrication but in my opinion this hasn't changed anything. I suggested to them that the gears may not be meshing correctly as that's how it sounds to me. I may do another video of it on a rolling road so I can run it at different speeds and send that to them too.

[Bob G]

As it is a distance purchase you still have consumer rights.
I would send it back, ask for a refund, as you couldn't tell what it was going to sound like, and ultimately buy one from another supplier.

I cant tell you how many clothes my wife buys that get sent back as inappropriate.

Bob

[Trainfish]

Inappropriate clothing? Yes, my wife often does the same. It seems that usually the number on the tag is always incorrect  Can't say I've ever bought any inappropriate clothing for myself though 

I have replied to the supplier and told them I will give it a couple of days but stressed that I was worried it could do more damage. I appreciate the distance selling comment and will use that if I need to but hopefully they will agree that it's too noisy (or even broken if run more) and sort it out.

[MKP]

I wouldn't oil a new Kato Loco, that can clog up the mechanism

[Trainfish]

I agree but it's their recommendation so I'm happy to take a chance. They have now replied to me with "If a fault does arrise rendering the unit inoperable, we can certaintly look into getting this replaced however, having seen the footage and comparing to another we have just tested for a customer in the shop, it was comparable in noise level."

Is anybody else's this noisy? I'm just off to test it on a rolling road and will compare to a Eurostar.

[Hiawatha]

I don't have the Hitachi so probably shouldn't comment – but that doesn't sound right for a Kato ...

[Snowwolflair]

Something is not snapped together properly.  It is very hard to get a KATO to make that sound deliberately.

[Trainfish]

I don't have the Hitachi so probably shouldn't comment – but that doesn't sound right for a Kato ...

I agree 100%. I have 2x Eurostars, a TGV and a mulitple unit and they don't sound like this.

Something is not snapped together properly.  It is very hard to get a KATO to make that sound deliberately.

Yes, I believe the meshing of gears is an issue possibly from as you say, something not snapped together properly.

Here's a comparison video I have just taken. You will hear both the Eurostar and 800 run both forwards and in reverse. They both sound louder than you would expect but an iPhone microphone is very sensitive and this was taken from around 9" away. I would be interested in others' thoughts on the sound. Apart from the whine I can hear a slight clicking taking me back to the old Poole Farish days although not as loud. Yet.

The 800 is currently running on the rolling road at about half speed so let's see what happens. I really don't want to have to fight with a supplier but I will do if I need to 

[zwilnik]

It sounds like something is rubbing

[Vonzack]

Mine has arrived from Rails so I'll be running it in tonight. I'll try and get a comparison if I can.

Kato in my experience are always quiet and smooth unless pushed to top speed, but then you usually just get a whine from them.

I wonder if the body and open ends could be causing a harmonic?

Cheers, Mark.

[Ben A]

Hi John,

My 800 is smooth and quiet, so I am pretty sure you've got something slightly out of whack there.  The kicker for me is how much the coupler can be seen vibrating on the rolling road.

It's a shame your dealer hasn't stepped up and agreed to swap without question.  After all they can just send the dud unit back to Gaugemaster/Kato for repair or refund anyway.

cheers

Ben A.

[Newportnobby]

Is anybody else's this noisy?

@Trainfish John - see reply #384. Not at high speed like yours and taken with a Canon bridge camera whose mike is maybe not as sensitive as yours.
I found it very quiet (sorry)

[RailGooner]

..
I would be interested in others' thoughts on the sound.
...

Definitely something out of whack with your 800 John. Not only is it squealing like a stuck pig, it's shaking like crazy. Just look at it dancing around and vibrating as you run it up to speed. I wouldn't bother testing further, exercise your rights and request a replacement.

[railsquid]

Here's a comparison video I have just taken. You will hear both the Eurostar and 800 run both forwards and in reverse. They both sound louder than you would expect but an iPhone microphone is very sensitive and this was taken from around 9" away. I would be interested in others' thoughts on the sound. Apart from the whine I can hear a slight clicking taking me back to the old Poole Farish days although not as loud. Yet.

The 800 is currently running on the rolling road at about half speed so let's see what happens. I really don't want to have to fight with a supplier but I will do if I need to 

The 800 definitely doesn't sound right (unless they've subcontracted the work out to the Dapol factory  ). Reminds me somewhat of the first ever (new) Kato loco I purchased, which was a buzzy little beast with malfunctioning lights, so I sent it back.

[Snowwolflair]

KATO models are clip together.  Check that the bogies are clipped together properly and are clipped home in the chassis.

Maybe you got the one with the scale cracks