News & Reviews Product Reviews Staff Reviews Kato USA N scale EMD F40PH diesel locomotive

Kato USA N scale EMD F40PH diesel locomotive

By Angela Cotey | November 14, 2012

| Last updated on November 3, 2020

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Kato USA N scale F40PH diesel locomotive
Kato USA N scale F40PH diesel locomotive
Ditch lights and roof-mounted cab air conditioners are the two most noticeable detail changes on the Kato N scale F40PH. Model Railroader reviewed the first release of the Kato F40PH, detailed to match the Amtrak prototype, in the December 2005 issue. This latest version is detailed to better match an F40PH in contemporary commuter service.

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.

N scale EMD F40PH
The mechanism is the same as the first release of the F40PH. The printed-circuit (PC) board is mounted on top of a split die-cast metal frame that encases the motor. Both Digitrax and Train Control Systems sell board-replacement Digital Command Control (DCC) decoders for the model.

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

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