--- product_id: 10760374 title: "Kato USA Model Train Products 1260401 N Scale Union Pacific FEF-3 Steam Locomotive Train 844" brand: "kato" price: "VT82701" currency: VUV in_stock: true reviews_count: 8 category: "Kato" url: https://www.desertcart.vu/products/10760374-kato-usa-model-train-products-1260401-n-scale-union-pacific store_origin: VU region: Vanuatu --- # Illuminated headlight & number boards N Scale precision modeling Cross-braced shock absorbers for max traction Kato USA Model Train Products 1260401 N Scale Union Pacific FEF-3 Steam Locomotive Train 844 **Brand:** kato **Price:** VT82701 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Summary > 🚂 Own the rails with iconic precision and power! ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Kato USA Model Train Products 1260401 N Scale Union Pacific FEF-3 Steam Locomotive Train 844 by kato - **How much does it cost?** VT82701 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.vu](https://www.desertcart.vu/products/10760374-kato-usa-model-train-products-1260401-n-scale-union-pacific) ## Best For - kato enthusiasts ## Why This Product - Trusted kato brand quality - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Key Features - • **Tight Corner Mastery:** Innovative articulated tender design enables navigation of tight 11" radius curves, maximizing layout possibilities. - • **DCC-Ready for Easy Upgrades:** Plug-and-play DCC compatibility lets you effortlessly modernize your locomotive with digital control. - • **Iconic Union Pacific Legacy:** Own a piece of history with the legendary FEF-3 #8444, a symbol of American steam power and style. - • **Precision N Scale Engineering:** Experience ultra-detailed realism in a compact 1:160 scale perfect for sophisticated layouts. - • **Unmatched Traction & Smooth Operation:** Cross-braced shock absorbers and coreless motor deliver whisper-quiet, stutter-free slow speeds for flawless performance. ## Overview The Kato USA N Scale Union Pacific FEF-3 Steam Locomotive #8444 is a highly detailed, ready-to-run model featuring advanced cross-braced shock absorbers for superior traction, illuminated headlights and number boards, and a DCC-friendly design for easy digital upgrades. Measuring just 11" minimum turning radius on ground track, it combines historical authenticity with cutting-edge model train technology, delivering smooth, slow-speed operation and exceptional realism for serious collectors and hobbyists. ## Description 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. 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. 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 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! Model Features Illuminated headlight and locomotive numberboards. The FEF tender does not have operational lights, but lighting kits are available for the special Water Tender cars (sold separately) DCC friendly design, allowing for easy drop-in installation of DCC. 11" (282mm) Minimum turning radius on ground level track, 15" (381mm) Minimum turning radius on Viaduct track. Review: A fine locomotive. - Been running my FEF-3 on a temporary Unitrack layout for a few weeks now. Just a great locomotive. Very smooth and quiet, and can crawl along very slowly with no stuttering or stalling. Detail and quality is up to the typical Kato high standard. A fine addition to my growing N Gauge collection. Review: Good runner. - Runs great, grandson loves it. ## Features - N Scale - Special cross-braced shock absorbers equalize the pressure on the locomotive drivers to maximize traction - Illuminated headlight and locomotive number boards - DCC friendly design, allowing for easy drop-in installation of DCC. All detail parts installed and ready-to-run - 11" (282mm) minimum turning radius on ground level track, 15" (381mm) minimum turning radius on Viaduct track. ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | ASIN | B00QSNYW48 | | Additional Features | Portable | | Best Sellers Rank | #414,780 in Toys & Games ( See Top 100 in Toys & Games ) #35,731 in Hobby Remote & App Controlled Vehicles & Parts | | Brand Name | Kato | | Collection Name | All | | Color | Multicolour | | Customer Reviews | 4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars (35) | | Finish Types | Polished | | Global Trade Identification Number | 04949727662282 | | Included Components | Magnetic trip pin, N Scale FEF-3 Locomotive, Optional double heading coupler attachment | | Item Weight | 0.65 Pounds | | Manufacturer | Kato Trains | | Manufacturer Part Number | 126-0401 | | Manufacturer Warranty Description | 60 day warranty against manufacturer defects. | | Material Type | Plastic | | Model Number | 126-0401 | | Model Year | 1944 | | Mounting Type | Tabletop | | Number of Items | 1 | | Occasion | Anniversary, Wedding | | Product Care Instructions | Wipe Clean | | Seasons | All Seasons | | Style | Modern | | Theme | train | | Unit Count | 1.0 Count | | character | Union Pacific FEF-3 #8444 | ## Product Details - **Brand:** Kato - **Color:** Multicolour - **Material:** Plastic - **Style:** Modern - **Theme:** train ## Images ![Kato USA Model Train Products 1260401 N Scale Union Pacific FEF-3 Steam Locomotive Train 844 - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71QVYG+3YlL.jpg) ## Questions & Answers **Q: Are you able to remove the deflectors? i would think this would look much better without them. thanks!** A: The Smoke Deflectors AKA "Elephant Ears" on the U.P., are seperate detail parts, so they can be removed. The smokebox sides are detsiled behind them, however, you'll have to Kitbash or make your own running board details up to extend the running boards past the point where they stop. **Q: Just to be on the safe side, is this an N Scale Train?** A: Yes, N (1:160) scale. **Q: What is the actual length of the engine unit in inches? I runs some tight turns and I'm usually sticking with 4 or 4 1/2 inch locomotives. Thank you!** A: The actual locomotive length is approximately 8", but even with the articulated wheel-sets on the tender, these are lanky engines that are best served with wide radius curves. To quote Kato, "The FEF-3 locomotives are designed for 11" (282mm) Minimum turning radius on ground level track, 15" (381mm) Minimum turning radius on Viaduct track". And they are very picky about the quality of the track-work, if you're running Kato Unitrack or Code 55, they will be happy campers. But like Kato's Alco PA-1 models, these engines will sniff out bad joints or marginal track-work and derail. **Q: Is this assembled or is this a kit?** A: It is factory assembled and ready to run. ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A fine locomotive. *by R***. on January 24, 2026* Been running my FEF-3 on a temporary Unitrack layout for a few weeks now. Just a great locomotive. Very smooth and quiet, and can crawl along very slowly with no stuttering or stalling. Detail and quality is up to the typical Kato high standard. A fine addition to my growing N Gauge collection. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Good runner. *by J***Y on December 27, 2025* Runs great, grandson loves it. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very nice locomotive *by D***S on September 22, 2019* Took me four tries to get this on the track correctly as there are five sets of wheels. It has a smooth motor and can run very slowly which is neat. It's running right now behind me using a Kato M2 track set just laying on a rug. I can only attach two cars without the third or fourth derailing, due to the rug I assume, but this train easily pulls all seven cars in the Kato UP excursion set. Reverse works perfectly. All is good. The front four wheels are held by a weak spring which is disconcerting but I'm not going to worry until a problem develops. SInce this is expensive, I should say Spark Deals shipped very quickly and it arrived in fine shape. ## Frequently Bought Together - Kato USA Model Train Products 1260401 N Scale Union Pacific FEF-3 Steam Locomotive Train 844 - Kato USA Model Train Products N Scale Union Pacific Water Tender 2-Car Set - Kato USA Model Train Products N Scale Union Pacific Excursion Train 7-Car Set --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.vu/products/10760374-kato-usa-model-train-products-1260401-n-scale-union-pacific](https://www.desertcart.vu/products/10760374-kato-usa-model-train-products-1260401-n-scale-union-pacific) --- *Product available on Desertcart Vanuatu* *Store origin: VU* *Last updated: 2026-05-14*