Amtrak received its first F40PH locomotives in the late 1970s from General Motors Electro-Motive Division. The F40PH fleet hauled intercity trains for 20 years before being retired from Amtrak’s active roster. Many of the locomotives had second careers as motive power for commuter railroads.
I reviewed a Kato F40PH decorated for the Virginia Ry. Express (VRE) V36. The prototype locomotive was formerly Amtrak no. 316.
Most of the model’s VRE paint scheme matches prototype photos. The VRE logo is clearly printed and legible under magnification. On the prototype the handrails along the cab door and engine-room access door are white. On the model the handrails are molded on the plastic body shell with the stripes printed over them.
The locomotive features all-wheel drive and electrical pickup. Our sample locomotive had no problems hauling eight Kato N scale bi-level cars on straight and level track. The model also easily negotiated a 93⁄4″ radius curve.
The model’s top speed is quite a bit higher than the prototype’s 103 mph maximum speed.
The number boards and directional headlights are light-emitting diodes. The rooftop beacons and red marker light above the windshield are prototypical. However, on the model these lights are non functioning.
Along with the firm’s bi-level cars, the newly detailed F40PH makes it easier than ever to add commuter service to an N scale railroad.
Price: $115. Amtrak phase 3 version is $105.
Manufacturer
Kato USA
100 Remington Rd.
Schaumburg, IL 60173
www.katousa.com
Era: 2008 to 2012 (as decorated for Virginia Ry. Express)
Road names: Virginia Ry. Express, Amtrak phase 3, Cal Train, Metrolink
