I just received my Kato 126-0401 FEF-3 locomotive and the smoke deflectors are not attached. Is this normal?
They fit neatly into place and they seem to stay there although I haven't had a chance to put it on a track. It seems like they could fall off if there is vibration while the locomotive is moving, which is why I am concerned.
Thanks
Interesting. I haven't a clue because different importers specify different packaging requirements, and I don't have this locomotive. BLI's and Bachmann's, to my knowledge, Niagara in both cases, and the Bachmann FEF, do not ship them separated. I have seen truck chains, some pipes, optional stacks, a Rivarossi C&O Allegheny rear roof extension for the cab for those lucky enough to have broad curves....things like that. But not the 'elephant ear' smoke lifters.
I would contact Kato, USA, and inquire if you don't get an informative response soon from someone here.
Edit (40 seconds later) I hate to leave a response like mine with so little useful information and effort, so I googled a bit and found this trainworld ad suggesting everything should have been installed at the factory...it's among the last descriptions way down the page.
https://www.trainworld.com/manufacturers/kato/kato-126-0401-4-8-4-fef-3-union-pacific-844-black-paint-version/
Thanks. I actually live not far from Trainworld and I have been there, but I didn't buy the locomotive from them.
I called Kato and they said the deflectors should have arrived installed, and that it's possible that they fell off in shipping. They said I could glue them on myself, return the locomotive to the seller, or send it to them and they would repair it for free if I include my receipt to show that I just bought it.
I have contacted the seller and asked for an exchange. I think that's the best first step. I don't want to glue them myself because if something gets botched then it's my fault. For a $200 locomotive, I shouldn't have problems right out of the box, and I shouldn't have to make repairs.