Kato USA - 176-6126-KB4 - Locomotive, Diesel, MPI MP36 - Northstar Commuter - 501

Specific Item Information:
MPI MP36PH Kobo Custom Paint - MetroTransit "Northstar Line" #501
N scale MP36PH locomotive, specially done in Minneapolis-St. Paul's MetroTransit "Northstar Line" Paint Scheme!

Model Information: Kato introduced the MP36PH in 2011. They followed up with the MP40PH-3C in 2014. The Kato N Scale models for the MP36PH and MP40PH-3C share the same internal mechanism. They differ only in the shell details.

This is a standard high-end modern Kato model. The model features a split-frame mechanism with blackened metal low-profile wheels and operating knuckle couplers. It runs smoothly and quietly and looks great.

DCC Information: It accepts a drop-in decoder that installs under a weird-looking gray doodad on the chassis. This model accepts the Digitrax DN163K4B decoder.

Prototype History: MPXpress is a series of diesel-electric passenger train locomotives designed for commuter rail service.

The MP36PH-3S uses a 16-cylinder EMD 645F3B diesel engine as its prime mover, capable of generating 3,600 hp. Head-end power (HEP) is generated by a static inverter that receives its power through connections to the prime mover (hence the "S" (static) designation). Compared to a locomotive with a separate HEP generator, the prime mover must constantly maintain a higher RPM in order to supply power to the passenger cars. The setup is simpler but leads to higher noise levels and higher fuel consumption.

When providing the maximum 500 kW HEP load, maximum traction power is reduced to 2,930 hp since HEP generation diverts some power from the prime mover. The MP36PH-3S was the first variety of MPXpress locomotive to be built and the launch customer was Metra, a commuter railroad in the Chicago area. Metra ordered 27 of these locomotives in 2001, which were built and delivered between 2003 and 2004. Fourteen were to replace the railroad's aged F40C fleet, while the rest were for fleet expansion. Metra is currently the only operator of the MP36PH-3S variant of the MPXpress.

From Wikipedia

Road Name History: The Northstar Line is a commuter rail route in the US state of Minnesota. Northstar runs 40 miles from Big Lake to downtown Minneapolis at Target Field using existing track and right-of-way owned by the BNSF Railway. Passenger service began on November 16, 2009

Brand/Importer Information: KATO U.S.A. was established in 1986, with the first U.S. locomotive model (the GP38-2, in N-Scale) released in 1987. Since that time, KATO has come to be known as one of the leading manufacturers of precision railroad products for the modeling community. KATO's parent company, Sekisui Kinzoku Co., Ltd., is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.

In addition to producing ready-to-run HO and N scale models that are universally hailed for their high level of detail, craftsmanship and operation, KATO also manufactures UNITRACK. UNITRACK is the finest rail & roadbed modular track system available to modelers today. With the track and roadbed integrated into a single piece, UNITRACK features a nickel-silver rail and a realistic-looking roadbed. Patented UNIJOINERS allow sections to be snapped together quickly and securely, time after time if necessary.

The Kato U.S.A. office and warehouse facility is located in Schaumburg, Illinois, approximately 30 miles northwest of Chicago. All research & development of new North American products is performed here, in addition to the sales and distribution of merchandise to a vast network of wholesale representatives and retail dealers. Models requiring service sent in by hobbyists are usually attended to at this location as well. The manufacturing of all KATO products is performed in Japan.

Supporters of KATO should note that there is currently no showroom or operating exhibit of models at the Schaumburg facility. Furthermore, model parts are the only merchandise sold directly to consumers. (Please view the Parts Catalog of this website for more specific information.)