Press Release

August, 2010

New N Scale Diesel Locos From Kato

New diesel locomotives from Kato haul plenty of power. The GE AC4400CW features a DCC-friendly mechanism, directional headlights with illuminated ditchlights and numberboards and prototypically-accurate details. Combine all this with a powerful five pole motor with electrical pickup and blackened wheels, and you're on the winning
track.

Diesel GE AC4400CW $110.00
381-1767007 UP #5780
381-1767008 UP #5791

Kato has announced the release of an N scale GE AC4400CW with low number boards in N scale. An Amtrak F40PH, Superliner passenger car set, and smooth side baggage car set has also been announced with an early September expected delivery date.

GE AC4400CW

The AC4400CW will feature: headlight, ditch lights, and number boards as appropriate for prototype roadname, Kato magnetic knuckle couplers (long shank knuckle couplers will also be provided), directional golden-white LED headlight and ditch lights, illuminated printed number boards, five-pole motor with dual brass flywheels and all-wheel electrical pick-up, and will be DCC friendly for drop-in decoder installation. The following roadnames will be available: undecorated, Chicago & North Western (lightning stripe), Union Pacific (yellow and gray), Union Pacific (Operation Lifesaver), and CSX (Bright Future). The undecorated model and CSX will retail for $105.00 each, UP and C&NW will retail for $110.00 each.

F40PH, Passenger, Baggage Sets

The F40PH will be available as a Phase III 2-unit set ($190.00), a single undecorated unit ($95.00), or as a single Phase III unit ($95.00). It will feature: Kato fully automatic magnetic knuckle couplers, DCC-friendly mechanism, shock absorber construction, directional headlight, illuminated number boards, all-wheel electrical pick up, Kato motor with dual brass flywheels, and additional snow plow for tight radius operation.

The Amtrak Superliner Phase III 4car set A includes: coach, coach-baggage, sleeper (George M. Pullman), and diner. Set B includes two coaches, sleeper, and lounge. The sets will retail for $100.00 each. The Phase I Smoothside baggage cars 2-car set will retail for $45.00.

Kato has announced the upcoming release of an HO scale EMD SD38-2, known as the iron workhorse of the steel industry.

The EMD SD38-2 was produced from November 1972 through June 1979. Capable of generating 2,000 horsepower, the SD38-2 was essentially the same locomotive as the 4-axle GP38-2 while being built on the 6-axle SD40-2 frame. Although officially considered a medium road-switcher, the SD38-2 is frequently identified with its heavy duty in the steel industry. The locomotive has also been used in both mainline and yard duty by railroads such as the Union Pacific and Chicago & North Western when looking for extra motive effort.

Kato stated that this model would be ideally suited for combining with the Cornerstone "Steel Industry" structures by Walthers, a commonly modeled industry on many model railroads. This locomotive model can be coupled to rolling stock by Walthers and MDC for each of the roadnames in this production.

Kato says the models will be accurate to the roadname/engine number with regards to the fuel tank size, truck brake cylinders, and dynamic/non-dynamic brake hatch. They will feature precision detail and powerful five-pole motor with dual brass flywheels. The models will be equipped with Kato magnetic knuckle couplers, 8-pin DCC socket. And golden-white LED headlight. These models will be "sound friendly," featuring the capacity for the optional installation by of way of a 1-inch diameter speaker in the fuel tank for use with onboard sound unit (speaker and sound unit available from other manufacturers).

HO - Kato has announced the end of February delivery of its HO GE AC4400CW diesel locomotive. A second delivery is due the end of March of this year. In 1994, GE delivered the first AC4400CW locomotive, their answer to EMD's successful SD70MAC. Nearly 10 years later, the AC4400CW has become one of the most successful locomotives in the history of North American railroading. The AC4400CW is operated by railroads from East to West and Canada to Mexico. Kato's new AC4400CW will be their first locomotive model to be sound friendly. The design is said to allow for easy installation of a 1-inch diameter speaker in the fuel tank, allowing easy installation of DCC sound decoders. Cab type, Inverter Cabinet, and Number Board location are said to be correct for each roadname. Additional features include: directional headlights illuminated with Golden White LEDs, lighted ditch lights, lighted printed numberboards, separate windshield wipers, 8-Pin DCC socket, and Kato Type-E Magnetic Knuckle couplers. These models will CEFX Leasing and Union Pacific will be included m Kato's first release of the AC4400CW. Both feature high numberboards. Equipped with the powerful Kato motor with dual brass flywheels, and scale blackened metal wheels in trucks that replicate the prototype's GE Hi-Ad truck.
The first roadnames that will be available for the AC4400CW include the following in two roadnumbers: CEFX Leasing blue with white stripes, Union Pacific "Building America, and Union Pacific "Lightning Bolt." All will feature high number boards. The second release of roadnames will include: BNSF "Heritage II" in three roadnumbers featuring Gullwing Cab, and Canadian Pacific "Two Flags" and Canadian Pacific "Golden Beaver" in two roadnumbers with low number boards.

Kato Announce New F3 Locomotives

N - Kato USA has announced the new production of N scale F3 locomotives with a revised, DCC friendly mechanism that will allow drop-in decoder installation. The new F3 unit will be available in the F3 train set with Unitrack, A and B unit two packs, and individual A units.

This production features an all-new combination of details; it is the first time Kato will offer the F3 in a Dual Headlight version and each roadname will have appropriate Steam Generator detail according to each prototype railroad.

Models will feature the Kato mechanism with five-pole motor and flywheels, fully automatic magnetic knuckle couplers, and improved headlight color. For the first time, the Kato F-Unit will include printed and lighted number boards.

The train set includes: A unit locomotive, two covered hoppers, one tank car, one Cupola caboose, and an oval of Unitrack (11 inch radius curves).

The A and B two packs are available for the following paint schemes: undecorated

Burlington Northern - green and black

Western Pacific - silver and orange

Denver & Rio Grande Western - gold and silver four stripe

Santa Fe red and silver

Union Pacific - yellow and gray

Individual A units are available in the following paint schemes:

Denver and Rio Grande Western - gold and silver four stripe

Santa Fe - red and silver

Union Pacific yellow and gray

Burlington Northern - green and black

Western Pacific silver and orange

N - Kato USA has announced the details of an all-new production of Amtrak Superliner passenger car and material handling car sets. These new sets will supplement the release of its new roadnumbers and paint schemes of Kato's P42 "Genesis" locomotive models.

These Superliner and MHC models will be decorated in the Amtrak Phase IV paint scheme. The model features,-will be identical to those in the first production. The cars are equipped with Kato's automatic knuckle coupler. The interior of the passenger cars can be lighted with the optional installation of their Interior Lighting Kit.

The following sets will be available: Superliner passenger car four car set A, Phase IV (# 1063507) includes: Coach 34014, Coach-Baggage 31007, Sleeper 32026, and Diner 38028; Superliner passenger car four car set B, Phase IV (#106-3508) includes: Coach 34002, Coach 34099, Sleeper 32047, and Lounge 33011; and material handling car two car set 1507 and 1524, Phase IV These models are expected to be delivered in late June or early July. The suggested retail price is expected to be $99.98 for each 4-car Superliner set and $39.98 for the MHC set.

The Interior Lighting Kit, single (#11-204) has a suggested retail price of $5.98. The Interior Lighting Kit, 6pack (#11-206) has a suggested retail price of $29.98.

Kato releases new 11 scale SD70MAC diesel LOCOMOTIVE BNSF colors and Wafts l1, Conrail, and CSX. N - Kato USA has announced the release of another modern locomotive model in N scale, the EMD SD70MAC. This model has been heavily used in coal train service by some of today's best-known Class I American railroads. According to Kato, it is especially suited for present-day modeling of coal trains and Intermodal trains, as well as very long hauls that have become so common on sizable home and modular layouts. The General Motors Locomotive Group (GMLG) Electromotive Division (EMD) ED70MAC is one .of the most common locomotives plying the rails today. Originally introduced in late 1993 with all order for the Burlington Northern, the production now totals over 900 units exceeding the combined production of SD80MAC and SD90MAC locomotives by over 300 locomotives. Designed to be a solid locomotive to upgrade the Burlington Northern fleet, the SD70MAC had its origins in the SD60MAC design demonstrated on the BN. At this time, the SD70MAC in all of its versions has been operated by six different railroads in a total of eight different paint schemes. The 70MAC is operated by railroads that span East to West and from Mexico to Alaska. The locomotives are used to haul all kinds of freight, and even passenger trains (Alaska Railroad). For comparison, the SD80MAC has been operated by three railroads in three paint schemes and the SD90MAC has been operated by three railroads in four paint schemes. All of the models will feature Kato's white LED Headlight, magnetic knuckle couplers, printed numberboards, MU hose detail, a five-pole motor with dual brass flywheels, and a DCC-friendly mechanism. The models will also come equipped with all-wheel electrical pick-up and blackened metal wheels in trucks that replicate the HTCR Phase 11 trucks. (On the prototype, this truck evolved from the HTC trucks found the SD40-2 through tire SD60 and features "radial" steering capability.) The SD70MAC will be available for the following roadnames in two different roadnumbers: undecorated, BNSF "Executive Colors" (green and creme), BNSF "Heritage II" (green and orange), Conrail "Conrail Quality" (blue and white), and CSX "Bright Future" (blue, yellow, and gray). The locomotive has a suggested retail price of $105.98.

N-Scale RDCs: Finely Detailed Passenger Cars with Motors

By Bob Hayden

Half a century ago, U.S. rail passenger service had already begun its long, slow decline. The peak ridership levels of WWII were past, rationing of war-critical materials was over, and everyone wanted to buy a new car and get behind the wheel. Innovations still to come, among them the Interstate Highway System and the Boeing 707 would make the situation worse as the decades came and went. To the rescue came the Budd Company with its stainless steel, air conditioned Rail Diesel Car. Introduced in 1949 as a replacement for locomotive-hauled consists on lightly trafficked branch lines and in local service, the RDC helped keep the railroads in the passenger business.

Budd eventually built hundreds of RDCs, and they went into service around the world. Powered by two compact engine-transmission units beneath the floor /one for each truck/, they could be operated from either end and lashed together to create multiple car consists where demand warranted. A few remain in service today. Four flavors from Budd; four models from KATO

Budd offered the RDC in four floor plans to meet varied service demands. The RDC-1 was an 85-foot-long coach with 90 seats; the RDC-2 had 71 seats and a separate baggage area. The RDC-3 combined a Railway Post Office with a baggage compartment and 49 seats; and if all your railroad needed was a self contained RPO/Express car, Budd served up an RDC-4, which was shorter (74 feet) than the others.

KATO is now offering all four variations as models, including one in N-scale-the RDC-4. They'll arrive as two-unit sets decorated and numbered for eleven railroads. Also offered will be a single-unit Budd Demonstrator.

All units are powered and feature KATO's "golden glow" directional LED headlights. (The interiors can be illu minated with the optional installation of KAT 112041ight set, sold separately. / Fully automatic body-mounted KATO knuckle couplers are standard.

Details on top and bottom Details differ from unit to unit. Each model has a unique roof configuration, and the RDC-4 features the distinctive pilot and steps of its prototype. There's plenty happening under the floor too, where the prime movers hide. Each model comes with a packet of parts for installation by the modeler.

The window frames detail will be identical to KATO's recent corrugated passenger cars, with the side windows trimmed in black. The operator's cab windows on the ends will be outlined in silver. KATO says the RDCs will negotiate 9 ¾ radius curves but recommends operating them on11 "-radius curves to prevent unrealistic overhang and premature uncoupling. The initial release comprised 14 two-unit sets lettered for U.S. and Canadian roads, plus two different unlettered pairs. A single-unit Budd Demonstrator will also be available. The two-unit sets are packaged in a cardboard sleeve, with each model contained in an individual jewel box.

Budd's RDCs operated from 1949 well into the 1980s, so they're appropriate for a range of modeling eras. Chances are good that they'll find a home on hundreds of N-scale layouts.

KAT1063001 N RDCI & RDC3, CPR $170.00

KAT1063002 N RDCI & RDC3, CN $170.00

KAT1063003 N RDCI S RDC3, NH $170.00

KAT1063004 N RDC1 & RDC3, Undecorated $170.00

KAT1063005 N RDC2 S RDC4, CPR $170.00

KAT1063006 N RDC2 & RDC4, CN $170.00

KATI063007 N RDC2 fi RDC4, NH $170.00

KAT1063008 N RDC2 & RDC4, Undecorated $170.00

KAT1063009 N RDCI & RDC2, SF $170.00

KAT1063010 N RDCI & RDC2, C&NW $170.00

KAT1063011 N RDC2 & RDC3, NYC $170.00

KAT1063012 N RDC2 & RDC3, NP $170.00

KAT1063013 N RDC3 & RDC3, RI $170.00

KAT1063014 N RDC2 & RDC2, WP $170.00

KAT1063015 N RDC2 & RDC2, ARR $170.00

KAT1063016 N RDCI & RDCI, CNJ $170.00

Budd Demonstrator, Single Unit

KAT1660001 N RDC1, Budd Demonstrator $85.00

Optional Lighting Kit

KATI1204 N Passenger Car Light Kit $5.98