Scaletrains Rivet Counter Tier 4 GEVO Review - N Scale

Scaletrains Rivet Counter Tier 4 GEVO Review
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[@roncrook8656]

Nice review. I almost wonder if that jerkiness at slow speeds will improve as the locomotive gets well broken in?

[@BritishRail60062]

I love these model trains myself. Having reviewed many of these in the past. They are the best in N scale and will be very hard to beat. Well done on getting this one buddy. All the best from Ireland Peter.

[@mustachemike802]

Thanks for the review! I have this same unit in the Elgin Joliet and Eastern Heritage which came to ST. Albans,VT (which I'm modeling) for repaint into CN colors in 2017 and I have yet to run it, so now I know what to expect!

[@joelbutler7501]

Run the locomotive on the full loop for 8-10 hours and then check the performance again. The engine has to be broken in.

[@RobsRails]

Excellent review, I can't wait to see when you hook both engines together and do the incline test. I will definitely be looking to add this engine to my layout in the future.

[@mrsoandsoso2537]

Scale trains have wonderful detail. Plus, the ESU sound decoders are some of the best in the market for n-scale and allow much customization if you are not happy with the sound fonts. However, the motors in the scale trains leave much to be desired; the slow speed studdering is not an uncommon issue with scale train locos. From my experience, Kato and Atlas seem to be the best overall runners for reliability, although the detail on them is not as in-depth as the rivet counters. If these locos had Kato internals with that kind of detail, it would be the god tier of locos.

[@mattyt1250]

I just got 2 of the C39-8. From them. They are great striaght out of the box. No issues and already have a few hour of run time.

[@doublediamondrailroad5949]

Mine do the stutter out of the box. A little tight at first. Get better after breaking in. I consist them to a second loco and after Speed Syncing, run them together for a few weeks. Forward/Reverse, like Switching. The pushing each other will help free them up. Also check CV-2 and set it to 2-3 initially. Give it more startup 1-5 Speed boost in current. For Sound, get a Lokprogrammer. I spend 2 hours usually Customizing my individual sounds. Can boost or cut levels or Frequencies. Then Balance the Volumes together. 😊 I have that same Engine from 2015. At ST Repair now for New Coupler Boxes and maybe Trucks.

[@sernajrlouis]

Awesome. I was thinking about purchasing a Scaletrains model since I currently only have Kato and Atlas locomotives. I preordered my first Broadway limited imports locomotive and hopefully it turns out good. Great review. I may just purchase the Scaletrains soon

[@Drackleyrva]

Great review! I just got a SD40-2 NS. Super nice loco and the horn is amazing. Only problem I have is changing the loco address from 03 to the real address. Stays at 03 no matter what I do. But it's a great loco.

[@Planter19]

I purchased 3 of Scale Trains N scale last year, got them home and 2 had issues, one had to have one of the trucks replaced, it took sending back twice to get it fixed, repairs take a long time 3 months, another one had wiring not even contacted, took 2 months to get it back, they look great but staying with Kato, they work horse…

[@nscaler454]

Oh man that does not good. The comments are riddled with problems from Scaletrains

[@randytimmerman9360]

Not sure if someone mentioned, but with Esu you can fix that clunkiness by performing cv54. Go to programming on a clear stretch of track say 5 ft. Choose cv 54 set to zero then exit programming and it F1 (bell) and it will shoot fast then stop and sound the bell. Which means it is done. I perform this straight out of the box and after 8 hours of run time.

[@KingTrump2024]

Adjust a few CV's and it will smooth out . Or try the auto BEMF config .

[@davidallen6333]

I have about 6 in CN I find they are to most detailed model I have seen ! They run better after being broke in !

[@gerdeguelle1967]

nice locoand a nice video

[@chickentuber]

Nice looking loco. Maybe it will smooth out when its broken in? I was also curious about weight so I put my Kato GEVO on the scale (DCC ready but with no decoder) and it came in at 116g. Love the channel. Thanks for posting!

[@nscaler454]

Now that I have a closed loop, I can let it run. 116 grams should make yours a great puller!

[@jasonpotter8037]

Would pre-oil or pre-lubing of gearing help with the jerking/moving issues experienced at speed setting 1-2

[@Steve_Larson]

I have 3 Scaletrains, 2 are around 3 years old and the 3rd was manufactured late 2023 so it's pretty new. The old ones have been perfect, not a single problem, and they creep smooth on speed step 1. The new locomotive has the same jerky movement as yours in speed step one, and it hasn't gone away after months of running. Like yours, it smooths out at speed step 3. It's dumped it's programming twice for no apparent reason (none of my other locomotives have) and the motor likes to cut out randomly. I've had it apart several times and can't find anything wrong and solder joints look good, so I guess I will have to send it in.

[@nscaler454]

Judging from the comments, the Scaletrains mechanical quality is a bit lacking. Please keep us informed if you get a fix for yours.

[@Steve_Larson]

@@nscaler454 Quick update... I gave it another reset (CV08) and its been running great for almost 2 weeks so we will see.

[@Fgr63]

Thanks for the video. Very nice one!I I also have a UP Tier 4 Gevo from Scaletrains and I have the same issue with a kind of random sound I can hear all the time when I operate the locomotive. Is there any setup, any CV to modify to stop the random sound anymore?

[@nscaler454]

Do you mean the squeal that sounds like a squeaky belt? I find it annoying.

[@Fgr63]

@@nscaler454 Yes, exactly.

[@anthonywalker5156]

Thats a nice unit it looks to run smooth. Hello I have some questions about scale trains I'm thinking about purchasing one but im a bit skeptical about getting one. I wanted to know if scale trains works on kato unit tracks, can i run it with kato units, is the performance good, and can it cubble with most cuppler brands. As a person who has 90 persent kato stuff im looking for good advice onto buying my first scale trains.

[@nscaler454]

Kato track will not be a problem. I have a friend with 4 Scaletrains locos running on Kato track. You can see from the video how my locomotive performs. There are stories in the comments about Scaletrains having some quality control issues though.

[@Intermodal_Ian]

Hey, nice review! What track do you use? It looks very good. I have been considering modeling n scale but the often toy-like look of most n track has always been slightly unappealing to me.

[@nscaler454]

Peco code 55. I think when it comes to N scale, code 55 track makes a big difference visually.

[@Intermodal_Ian]

@@nscaler454 Oh, alright, thanks. It sure does seem to.

[@telusman]

I love my Rivet Counters! They make me smile whenever I run them. Just a little caveat to run them well to test if they're still in warranty. 3/4 of my Scaletrains locos have had to go for service either due to motor or decoder failures. They're beautiful locomotives and good runners for the most part but they've definitely had some QC issues. Will i still buy them? Yeah probably. They're just too nice.

[@nscaler454]

Wow that is a terrible rate of failure. That might be worse than BLI. What were the problems you had?

[@telusman]

@@nscaler454 Yeahhh BLI and I have a bit of a history too, but its gotten a lot better! I have two of their Big Boys and they're my favorite things to run. The folks at Scaletrains are super nice and are more than willing to fix stuff, so I'll just say that off the bat. 1) A CN Heritage GEVO that was DOA out of the box. Engine sounded like it was chewing on a cat. Cracked it open and it all looked normal but very very very noisy. They deemed the engine as faulty and replaced it. 2) A Dash -9 that failed entirely 7 days after purchase. Literally just stopped never to move again. Motor had failed. 3) My other CN Heritage GEVO the decoder seems to have failed, speaker became very crackly and muffled and then the engine just stopped moving. Lights were on, but nobody was home. Took it to the local shop and although it could see the decoder, it could not read / write values to it or reset it. My 4th KCS GEVO had a headlight fail, and some imperfection in the ditch lights but mechanically was sound and they fixed the headlight. Really 4/4 have been in for service, but only 3 for something major.

[@telusman]

Just to be clear, despite the issues I've had, when they run, they run really really well and look swanky AF while doing it. I have an Operator variant that's been rock solid (standard DC) and i will probably buy more of them because I'm a sucker for detail despite the inconvenience of the issues.

[@nscaler454]

@@telusman 4 for 4 with problems is unacceptable

[@telusman]

@@nscaler454 I largely agree, hence the caveat good sir! Some people don't have many problems and some have nothing but it seems. The only reason I'm sticking it out is I'm hopeful it all improves. It would be a shame to lose another manufacturer that produces high quality models. We don't have many in our scale. The 4th one is still in the shop but the other 3 upon return have been solid performers. I just hope they stay that way. I have had issues with Rapido with DOA units. Have had issues with BLI failures, all my Scale trains follies. Lots of really expensive stuff has just stopped working. I'm learning to have a little blind faith in this hobby else I'll be stuck just buying KATO and sticking to DC.

[@Bliz0516]

I haven’t purchased a scale trains loco yet mostly due to reviews that have complained about quality control issues. Scale trains admitted some shortfalls in their QC that they are fixing. N scale couplers seem to be consistently chastised. Scale trains does research, photos and writes specs etc. All of the engineering is done by the Chinese. All of it and of course the MFG as well but that’s not uncommon. All of the engineering? Makes me wonder about long term Performance. Sound isn’t anything with scale trains it’s the ESU decoder. Scale trains uses them, which is fine. I e read they may at times need to be reset to factory default.

[@scotabot7826]

All it needs is a little CV adjustment here and there.

[@4everpee]

Have you ever tried to increase speed before the grade to give it some momentum.

[@nscaler454]

Yeah. I kind of know when a train is done by where it stops on the hill. Too much speed can lead to just spinning the wheels too fast, which often can be worse than a slower wheel speed.

[@AlleghenyNorthern]

Odd to have a ScaleTrains loco jitter like that. I have 7 ST locos and none of them do that at speed step 1. I'm hoping that's just because you've had it sitting and it needs a minute to break in. I'm not familiar with CN's operating standards but most US-based locos automatically trigger the bell when the horn sounds. Nice lookin loco though - lots of luck with it!

[@johnhenricks1024]

same here, i have eight and none jitter like that ... i don't recall straight out of the box but give it time. should be good.

[@nscaler454]

I will see if my second ST loco jitters like that too.

[@UPtrainguy76]

Well that unit has sat in a box for several years. It wouldn't be uncommon for the brushes in the motor to need some polishing. Running the unit for several minutes should clear it up.

[@kraag]

BEMF was maybe off…

[@jamesdenny4734]

We are in America (using the imperial unit of measure), what is 111 grams in ounces 😮

[@Bardwell_Junction]

Ask your phone, it will tell you!

[@kraag]

BEMF was off???

[@randydobson1863]

hello Nscaler454 & it's is Randy and i like yours video is cool & Thanks Nscaler454 Friends Randy & Scaletrains Rivet Counter Tier 4 Gevo Review -N Scale & Super cool 3062 Super Cool

[@larryhealey6827]

I am not pleased with the fragility of the railings. They come off and are very difficult to put back on. Mostly, mine just sit in boxes and I do not buy locos from scale trains anymore. I prefer Kato, they are legendary in all aspects except super detail. That being said, Scale Trains freight cars are amazing and I love them. I buy tem all the time when I can afford them.

[@roady1710]

You made this video one day ago and you bought the loco several years ago...? Why did you even do the video.... Bought it several years ago it's got to be double or triple the money now should have kept it in the box..

[@nscaler454]

I bought them to use them.

[@allenheimsoth7883]

LOL! "The little things on the cab that are painted white..." You don't even know what you're reviewing....