In May,
Kato
) plans to release an HO scale P42
locomotive equipped with a unique new drive system that
places all of the mechanical components, including a coreless
motor, in each power trucks. Kato says the new design pro-
vides interior space for additional weight and larger speaker
housings. The elimination of mechanical linkage and drive
shafts increases the ability of the new power trucks to swivel
and will permit the P42 to operate on curves with a radius
as tight as 370mm (approximately 14.75”). The P42s will be
decorated in Amtrak's Phase Vb scheme (above) in three dif-
ferent road numbers.
This new model has two motors and does not have a DCC-
ready adapter plug. Details and pricing are tentative, but Kato
is offering DCC and sound equipped versions in its Kobo Line
with custom DCC and sound options installed in the US. Kato
is working with ESU Loksound and Soundtraxx Tsunami to
develop suitable decoders for the new two-motor drive system.
Standard analog DC versions will be priced in the range of
$185.00 to $195.00. Units with ESU Loksound DCC are targeted
at $305.00 to $315.00. P42s with custom Soundtraxx®
Tsunami™ sound and DCC decoder installations are expected to
