Product Review Kato N Scale Amtrak P42 Superliner Starter Set
Train sets are one of the ways many people get started in the hobby. This N scale Amtrak set from Kato includes everything you need to get going: a locomotive, three passenger cars, track, and a power pack.
Amtrak's P42DC locomotives were introduced in 1996 and are still in service today. The model is in Amtrak's "Phase V" paint scheme, overall silver with the wavy blue top, that can be seen on many rail lines in the United States.
This train set includes a model of P42 No. 161, which was recently repainted in a special commemorative scheme for Amtrak's 50th anniversary. Kato P42 locomotives can be purchased separately if you want to expand your roster, and they have made models in many of the special Amtrak schemes as well as the standard Phase V colors.
The P42 locomotive is DCC ready, so it's easy to convert it to DCC operation later if you want to.
Double-deck Superliner cars have been a staple on many of Amtrak's long distance trains for years, and can be seen all over the country. Amtrak trains that use Superliners include the Coast Starlight, California Zephyr, Empire Builder, Southwest Chief, Capitol Limited, Sunset Limited, and more!
The train set includes a sleeping car, a sightseer lounge, and a coach. Kato sells additional Superliner cars separately if you want to expand your fleet later on. These cars have detailed interiors and are set up for electrical pickup. Kato sells lighting kits separately if you want to light the cars.
The model train set has some of Kato's excellent Unitrack, enough to make an oval approximately 53" by 26". Unitrack is a very good quality model train track, and it can be set up and torn down easily. Kato has a full line of Unitrack track components available, including many different sizes of curves, crossings, and turnouts (track switches).
Because Unitrack is easy to set up and change, it's great for trying out different layout designs.
The train set also includes a DC power pack and plug in power supply. The power pack will work with any DC powered model train locomotive, and it has enough power to run multiple engines at one time if you want to. It has connectors for Kato switch controllers, in case you want to use those to control turnouts in the future.
The power pack also has short protection, so if something gets on the track and causes a short, the power pack will protect itself by shutting down. A reset button will turn it back on.
Dan has a lot of Kato locomotives, many of them decades old, and they still run great. This is a very well made, high quality train set that will provide years of enjoyment.
If you've been thinking of trying out the model railroading hobby, or if you're looking to give a train set as a gift, you might want to consider a set like this one.
Model railroading is a cool hobby!
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16 окт 2024