The FED engines need work to run well, out of the box they run, but won't switch or run slow or go through turnouts without stalling. Likewise, the Kemtron kits take a lot of skill and especially patience to get them to run well. A newcomer to the hobby can't build one without knowing how to solder well. Plenty of half finished kits come up that didn't run well because the builder hogged out the side rods to try to eliminate a bind, and ruined the engine. Usually the superstructure s built, they could solder that, but not the mechanism, or get the binds worked out. Someone starting out needs an engine that runs decent out of the box, thats why I suggested a Westside c-16. A Blackstone is more money, but you have a well running engine to start with. Develop the skills, then try out a Kemtron engine.
brian b