MTH Union Pacific FEF-3 Northern Freight Set

A review of the MTH 3-Rail O-Scale Union Pacific 4-8-4 FEF-3 Northern Freight Set. Model number 20-3536-1. More videos on my youtube channel and at www.ericstrains.com

[@PghTrainFanatic]

Very nice set Eric, however mth needs a major overhaul with the sound and control systems they're using. It's about to be 2016 soon, and their trains sound like they are from the 90's still.

[@Ericstrains]

Agreed.

[@PghTrainFanatic]

It's made me decide to cancel 2 premier sets in the last couple months. I'd rather wait til Lionel makes it if I'm spending that kind of money. I'm sure you agree. Hopefully the mth's guys read this and get the point. Loosing business

[@Ericstrains]

+PghTrainFanatic I think their plan is to eventually ditch the physical DCS remote control in favor of the smartphone app control, and I can see the logic behind that. I don't know for a fact that's what their plan is, but that would be my guess. It's a lot easier to make a control app and then update the app when needed than to manufacture physical controllers. App control would make new features and improvements so much easier and cost effective.

[@PghTrainFanatic]

Yeah I agree with you. That app will make life better. Anymore smartphones run our lives lol 😂

[@BigBerk765]

+PghTrainFanatic You know the old saying, my friend. "There's an app for that."

[@SkipW]

Boss model but the sound cards are weak compared to the real thing.

[@ConcordeStudios20]

That's a very nice engine, exquisitely detailed and I love the sound in operation.

[@SteamKing2160]

The Union Pacific 4-8-2's (or FET just for fun but actual class description is MT which is an acronym for Mountain), started having power problems when the passenger trains started to get heavier and longer. So the Union Pacific story of upgrading the 4-8-2 to the FEF 4-8-4 is somewhat actually true.

[@aidenfleming7210]

What a beautiful locomotive 🚂🚂🚂🚂

[@railroadguy100]

The real thing could thunder along the tracks. On the Northwest Doubleheader, the 844 was on the train with the SP 4449 and both seem to be amazing passenger engines, too. Great review on this engine, though. Very good train set, Eric.

[@nathansearle959]

This is a beautiful Loco and I have one of these but in the greyhound paint scheme

[@pjasyl]

Like the smoke output on this engine!

[@mamanbear1667]

Eric, great video as usual. Their Premier steam engines are excellent. I just got the passenger set version of this model. Good critique of the limited trilling whistle capability and the detailing is always excellent However, I wish that they would add lighted markers to the renders. There is no reason on a high end engine not to have it - particularly the FEF, Challenger, and Big Boy models. Keep up the good work.

[@struck2soon]

Another great loco to add to your already impressive roster Eric. Do you ever think "so many locos, so little track!"?😀

[@Chessie1985]

Great review and sounds great to me Eric!

[@Blougon]

I've watched extreme trains about the 844 in the past.

[@kristalkat7939]

Me too

[@christinahartley209]

It's not 844 its 843

[@JasontheFolf]

cool set Eric

[@Rebecca_The_Dragon]

in my opinion, the quillable whistle sounds more like the prototype

[@MPT_Productions]

5dmc1 really I like the normal whistle way better but we all can like different things

[@keithm5224]

A piece of the bottom right hinge on the reefer door is missing @18:25. Great review, Eric!

[@jomama05]

The problem with this version is that some of the details are incorrect. They used the 25,000 gallon challenger tender instead of the correct 23,500 gallon tender. 843 never had a feed water heater installed. And the headlights on the FEF's never had a bill on it like this one. Other wise it would be a good model

[@patriciasgarza5938]

is it me or do steam engines with smoke deflectors look awsome!

[@shnimmuc]

Beautiful, I love the whistle. Great review. I think MTH is certainly a manufacturer of quality products. I have had far fewer problems with their locomotives than Lionel.

[@oxolotleman7226]

I need some of those reefers, they would look great with my s3

[@BXGUY73]

GOOD SUGGESTION and POINT you made about ADDING a PICK-UP ROLLER on the TENDER so it can get its own source of electric power. Hopefully, MTH would ADD that to this TRAIN model's TENDER to IMPROVE it a bit. Other than that it looks GREAT!!!

[@santafepacifico-scaletrain6207]

Hi Eric, I just bought the union pacific challenger #3985 and I haave not oiled it yet because I am affraied of getting it everywhere. Do you have any advice??

[@1940limited]

Can you tell me what you use t make your roads and grade crossings. It looks very realistic. I also like you abandoned section of track at the portal of one of your tunnels. Great detail. I'd like to see more of that.

[@sleeves_rail_archives]

Awesome review! The FEF-3 is probably my favorite steam locomotives of all time and I'm glad you bought this set with the PFE Reefers! I'm also thrilled you ordered Lionel's version of the 844! Great video Eric! Sean

[@sleeves_rail_archives]

You also nailed the history about the FEF series of engines. That surprised me the most that you knew so much of the FEFs!

[@BXGUY73]

Possibly the best UNION PACIFIC & comparable to the LIONEL FEF U.P. #844

[@sdiv_tim]

I can't even hear the Whistle on that thing because the engine sounds sound so similar to it.

[@byates59]

EXCELLENT review as always Eric! It looks like MTH did a great job on the FEF, it looks, sounds and smokes great! However, you know me, I typically get the Lionel version and while we are speaking about the Lionel version LOL, did you order the black or greyhound 844? Anyways, thanks for the video bud and have a great Sunday!

[@Ericstrains]

I ordered the black

[@trainroomgary]

+ericstrains Looks great / historic steam power. • Cheers from The Detroit & Mackinac Railway 🚂

[@BXGUY73]

@ERIC's Trains - I was going back and forth between the LIONEL-VISION LINE #844 UNION PACIFIC FEF and the MTH #843 UNION PACIFIC FEF. I noticed only 3 differences; LIONEL VISION-Line #844 has a Whistle Smoke Effect and the MTH #843 U.P. does not. And the MTH U.P. #843 HAS a "drop plate" and LIONEL Vision-Line does NOT. Other than those 2 differences, the last one I noticed was the big PRICE $$$ DIFFERENCE between the MTH U.P. and the LIONEL VISION-Line U.P. Are there any other differences between these 2 UNION PACIFIC model Steam Engines that I may be missing? (You are the expert and you also have them both).

[@garyruark9506]

I have the same engine and the cab illumination never works under any circumstance. Otherwise, I love it.

[@erikasanchez3034]

I know that the up 844 teams up with the big boy locomotive sometimes.

[@Oat_meal_YT]

good review, plus eric I finally found a store, that actually sale lionel and mth toy trains. now I don't have to ask Santa for one

[@Oat_meal_YT]

near my house

[@HokkaidoCEngineGalaxyExpressTh]

814 fef 1 i think fef 2 is in Wyoming

[@mariebcfhs9491]

This loco whistle sounds like the death whistle, I'd definitely crap my pants if this come towards me during the night 😂

[@maxrailroad]

Awesome review Eric! Once you get the Lionel 844, please double head it with your challenger!

[@Blueblur1987]

Well the love the look of UP 843, the Union Pacific/Southern Pacific Reefer cars, and the UPP 24567 caboose I wish I had the money to buy this set. And here is some facts the UPP 24567 prototype caboose that came with your MTH set is based after an actual piece of former Union Pacific Steam rolling stock since Union Pacific traded UPP 24567 (Bay Window caboose) along with SD40-2c locomotive UP #3105 and insulated boxcar UP #453665 for UPP Big Boy #4014 from the Rail Giants Museum in Pomona, California back in 2014.

[@brockfitzgerald7193]

did you make that LED light?

[@MPT_Productions]

Brock Fitzgerald no all MTH and Lionel engines use LEDs in all their lights

[@bensommer4529]

Crew talk on all MTH steam engines sound the same. So boring!

[@MPT_Productions]

SanteFe3751Fan no they are not Lionel are fun to use but not with MTH

[@MPT_Productions]

SanteFe3751Fan they sound the same because they are not going to use a different one for each engine because that would be so much money

[@MPT_Productions]

SanteFe3751Fan I am saying sounds

[@MPT_Productions]

SanteFe3751Fan cool. (Sarcasm) but they use the same sound sets. The quality and whistle bell and chuffing don't sound good

[@conradmoestl829]

Ben Sommer also did these trains actually have radios back in the day?

[@rhettrobinson1361]

27:24 What? The FEF's didn't have airhorns!

[@nikerailfanningttm9046]

I’ve got the PS3 844 in greyhound and the front pilot of 838. And yes I mean the physical front pilot of the Premier 838, not the entire engine.

[@Ericstrains]

Nice!

[@trainlover9943]

Great review and set, Eric! Love the whistle on that engine, it sounds great! Although the quillable whistle is a carryover from the Challenger MTH came out with a few years ago it still sounds OK. Thanks for the video and have a great one!

[@jamesmark782]

I see Lionel is offering an FEF-3 in their 2015 volume 2 Built-To-Order. Also offering E-7's and GP-9's (?!) the same way. Another manufacturer canceled production of my SW-900's due to insufficient orders more than a year after they were first offered. Thought manufacturing was becoming more agile. Don't think this bodes well for the hobby.

[@Trainmaster909]

Mth needs to improve their sound quality in their engines. There is no bass. The S1 MTH did had great sound and was perfect so why can't they do it again. On Railking engines this is fine but when you are spending over $1000 you should expect every aspect of the loco to be perfect. MTH with the sound and Lionel's lack of effort on some of their diesels and including the Vision line diesels in some models. You just can't win sometimes.

[@Oskar-js6iv]

Can i connect Lionel and MTH Trains/Cars together?

[@bigharryyy03]

You can connect any 3-Rail O-Scale engines or rolling stock together.

[@rockyfanatic6846]

Does 844 have a horn

[@mumumaaaah]

how many steam trains will you collect

[@bxjibaro73]

Awesome train, and the price is reasonable compared to other sets with a 4-8-4 Union Pacific Northern Engine. The drop plate is a very much needed detail for added accuracy.

[@stevenmichael2845]

Looks very nice, I see MTH is finally blackening their springs! I like your new crossing BTW...

[@rapper8521]

For an entry level hobbiest, what Locomotive would you suggest? My father used to have a nice O scale set. And spent alot of money on it. And I just had a son, and want to begin a set on my own.

[@burntoutonbuicks7160]

WOULD U PLEASE DOUBLE HEAD THE 844 AND THE 843 WHEN UGET IT WITH UP PASSENGER CSRS opps left caps on

[@brookewilsonclemons7975]

844 is double heading with big boy 4014 which is restored and I went to see just the big boy , in Clinton,Iowa .

[@ChrisNIN64]

When you get the 844 set, it would be interesting to do a side-by-side comparison between MTH and Lionel's FEF's to see the differences.

[@MMID303]

Nice set. I wish they would improve the crew talk on their steam engines. Their diesel crew talk is usually much more realistic.

[@westvirginiarailproductions]

I love your videos and layout so much but it would be nice if you could add a the Lionel version of the UP #3985. I have one myself and its awesome!

[@Steven_Williams]

Great review Eric! Very handsome engine, and the refrigeration cars are tight! And as always, thanks for the brief backstory!

[@NinjagoGuy416]

I always have wondered what 844 would look like without her iconic smoke deflectors 🤔

[@MYSUPERBOAT]

Nice review Eric ! I have the Proto 2 version of this engine runs and sound great as well ! As you did I ordered the Lionel FEF ! Thanks for the awesome video

[@cordellbailey575]

Mr. Eric's trains I built a union pacific steam turbine in ho scale and its on KZbin its on baileys junction and just put a smoke unit in it

[@BXGUY73]

I agree this is a good set for the price.

[@rickpalo1]

As usual, a great review! Very entertaining great video, you really cover all bases. Thank you.

[@mrMATTHEWmay887]

that fef -3 look better if paint the bearing caps sliver it will bring out more detail i think anyway

[@Bodonzky]

Eric I know I’m saying this way to late, but I have a Lionel Penn Central SD70, and I’m only 10.

[@vijayalakshmipandian6169]

The Quilling Whistle almost sounds like MTH big boy

[@LNERMALLARD4468]

Why does it have the Mars light when it is not on passenger duty?

[@Bigtitan56PA]

I run all MTH engines, I too wish MTH would upgrade the sound sets. its not that hard!

[@SteamKing2160]

I wonder why 0-72 looks like a 0-54 series engine.

[@bigharryyy03]

MTH has made a mistake. The FEF-3's had all-weather cabs, but this model's cab is open.

[@Patrick_3751]

+harizonwrlss The FEF's had doors inside the cab that allowed them to be either open or all-weather. MTH pretty much made this model's cab in the same way except they didn't add the doors.

[@judahrice]

You should get your 844 in the two tone grey w/the yellow stripe

[@Woodyboy48]

I like trains crash!!!!! Anyone know that one?

[@mattwalden4020]

What about a comparison between the 843 and the 844 ?

[@scoobs2511]

844 wasn’t ever retired

[@PeterCPRail8748]

Great set Eric. Another great review.

[@hardflipsal3977]

Love the layout Eric, great review as well. I hope to have a layout as big as yours one day!

[@gregbrown1557]

I really like that you give a history lessons when showing your trains and layout

[@oologahnorthernrailroad8873]

I don't know how you do it Eric, you got outstandin reviews

[@erkish5444]

Hey, Eric, great review . I love this engine and keep up the good work.

[@wysoserius]

I wish Lionel would do a Vision Line version of this class locomotive

[@bensommer4529]

Lionel crew talk is MUCH better

[@brok3nD1am0nd45]

The difference between MTH's 843 and Lionel's 844 is the number, and the dialogue. Anyway, great review Eric!

[@brok3nD1am0nd45]

And I forgot about some paint detail on the pistons, and the trailing truck

[@Woodyboy48]

What did the train say to the other train say??!?

[@steamerstudios1353]

Werid fef-3

[@andrewsharkey8248]

what is your favorite rail name?

[@brdtrd69]

Hey Eric how much 💰 is that set

[@austinniederjohn9813]

that tender type is known as "centipede"

[@oxolotleman7226]

My favorite part of the set was the reefers

[@ax2bxc]

The tender doesnt have the bearings

[@saraveldman7034]

do a review of the lionel o gauge 6-8-6 turbine steam locomotive

[@jerseycentral833]

He did do that. A while back.

[@robertdrake5502]

what did it cost

[@Mildcat743]

Is the mars light functional, Eric?

[@findpeoplesearch9478]

+Lucas Hagg Watch the entire video and you will have your answer. :)

[@BigBerk765]

I thought about getting this locomotive; the passenger version, but I'm glad I didn't. The passenger steamer that I really wanted was the new Premier Line Nickel Plate Road S-2 2-8-4 Berkshire. And I'm gonna save a spot on my railroad for another passenger steamer that I'm dying to get my hands on, the Canadian Pacific 4-6-4 Royal Hudson & the matching passenger cars for it. The only freight steamers I'll be getting will be the new U.P. 4-8-8-4 Big Boy, N&W 2-6-6-4 Class A, and a new Great Northern 0-4-0 A-5 Switcher. All MTH locomotives, by the way. I'm not the biggest Lionel fan. But that's just my personal preference. I've had MTH trains all my life and I've loved them since I was little. Just my model train company of choice.

[@byates59]

+Taylor Williams You've got Ford guys and you've got Chevy guys LOL So I know what you mean brother! For me Lionel is my train company of choice! Have a great one Taylor!

[@BigBerk765]

+Bill Yates Thank you. You have a good one as well.

[@The20thCenturyLimited]

+Bill Yates exactly the same lol

[@knowinpear3240]

eric buy a 4k camera

[@Jimboliah3985]

Wait, the smoke box door doesn't open?

[@Ericstrains]

Not on MTH steam engines.

[@Jimboliah3985]

Ow. :/

[@trainlover9943]

+ericstrains On the older PS2 version of this engine the Smokebox door opens.

[@allegheny48]

+Jim van der Kolk I have the recently released MTH NYC Niagara (Proto 3.0) and the smoke box door also does not open as opposed to the Proto 2.0 version that did). I am pretty sure the reason why is that they are now using LED headlight bulbs and those should never need changing. Hence, less operating parts resulting in a cost savings of sorts?

[@channelforkids8765]

good

[@iurimoreira1133]

fdd

[@nutanpatil4075]

beautiful set

[@tinafan1010]

When will you be getting the 844??

[@Ericstrains]

Already did. Follow me on facebook and you'll know when stuff comes in.

[@railroadwolf6112]

Awesome

[@SidsTrains]

Why do you say so called wireless tether.

[@findpeoplesearch9478]

+Sidney Flumbaum Because they like to call it "wireless", but it does actually have a printed circuit board on it that carries information between the engine and the tender. So it's not 100% truly wireless. It just doesn't have highly visible wires.

[@SidsTrains]

Thanks

[@g8779]

does MTH still sell this one and 844?

[@jpotts1515gaming]

g8779 Just bought this exact set for $1279 at my local MTH Dealer. You should call yours and see if they have a set. This engine is my favorite and that includes 15 premiere steamers including a MTH DAP Big Boy.

[@rapper8521]

Do you have a round about figure of money invested into your model train hobby?

[@Ericstrains]

About 20 dollars.

[@rapper8521]

+ericstrains you have a very nice layout, and amazing information. Very impressed.

[@MPT_Productions]

ericstrains lol 😂

[@brendaneckhart9376]

Hello Eric, I have a request for you, I think a lot of us would like to see a locomotive roster of all of your engines, so please keep that in mind if you read this. Brendan

[@Ericstrains]

+Brendan Eckhart I'm already working on that.

[@fusionmakeseverything7890]

+ericstrains hey Eric I was wondering if you could do a reivew of the mth GP-30 south pisific I have it but im not shore of all the things it dose --from max--

[@fusionmakeseverything7890]

+Max Herold If you like or doint like the ideo please reply why I a ten

[@fusionmakeseverything7890]

+Max Herold also I encurge you to keep following your dreams it is your life you live it

[@brendaneckhart9376]

+ericstrains Sweet