Kato N scale Amtrak Superliner passenger cars

Kato has introduced sets of all five types of Amtrak’s Superliner I passenger cars to accompany the firm’s Genesis locomotives (reviewed last month). These models are based on the original group of 284 Superliner cars built in 1979.

The prototypes of these bi-level cars were built by Pullman-Standard in five different car types:

• Coaches seating 62 passengers on the upper level and 15 on the lower level with adjacent rest rooms.
• Coach-baggage cars seating 78 on the upper level with rest rooms and a baggage room on the lower level. Some of these cars have had their baggage space converted into a smoking lounge.
• Diners seating 72 at 18 tables on the upper level with the kitchen below.
• Lounge-cafes with a bar and seating for 50 upstairs, plus a snack bar and seating for 23 on the lower level.
• Sleepers with accommodations for 44 passengers in 14 economy rooms and five bedrooms on the upper level with a family room, a handicapped room, and rest rooms on the lower level.

Drawings of these cars were published in the November 1982 issue of Model Railroader. These cars cover the entire Superliner era, and most are still in daily service. All of these models match MR’s drawings and floor plans.

Each model follows Kato’s typical passenger car construction and features a highly detailed body casting, tinted flush-fitting windows, and a snap-in floor. A detailed interior is included and it has provisions for lighting (offered as a separate add-on kit).

These cars ride on the original style of Amtrak four-wheel trucks which were based on a European design. The wheels are metal with a tubular acetal plastic axle so all eight wheels pick up current. All of the wheelsets match the National Model Railroad Association standards for gauge, but the flanges are slightly deeper than standard.

The models include Kato knuckle couplers, but Micro-Trains no. 1129 (medium) or 1130 (long) T-shank couplers can be substituted if desired.

Model Railroader’s sample Superliner cars came beautifully decorated in Amtrak’s phase IV scheme. The silver paint was smooth and the printed stripes and lettering were clear and sharp. All of the models are correctly numbered.

These models weigh 1½ ounces each, which matches the NMRA’s recommendation of ½ ounce plus .15 ounce per inch of length for N scale car.

Kato offers these Superliners in two sets of four cars. Combining both sets produces a typical Amtrak eight-car, long distance train with accommodations for about 400 passengers.

I’m sure the quality and good looks of these Superliners will make them more popular on modern layouts.

N scale Amtrak Superliners

Price: $99.98 per set

Manufacturer:
Kato U. S. A. Inc.
100 Remington Rd.
Schaumburg, IL 60173

Description:
Ready-to-run plastic car sets:

• Set A: coach, coach-baggage, diner, and sleeper
• Set B: two coaches, sleeper, and lounge-cafe car

Features:
Detailed interior, ready for lights
Kato automatic knuckle couplers
Eight-wheel electrical pickup
Metal wheels
Minimum radius: 9″
Weight: 1½ ounces each

Road names:
Amtrak phase III, Amtrak phase IV