Kato - 057-201 - Locomotive, Steam, 0-4-0, Tender

Specific Item Information:
Model Features: Fully motorized with coreless motor construction (DC Compatible only) --- 1:72 (00) -Scale Body -- N Gauge Wheelbase compatible with N Kato UNITRACK --- Fitted with PECO Couplers so as to be compatible with PECO rolling stock

Model Information: These Engines are 009 Scale, which means they are a Narrow Gauge scale – 1:76 (roughly HO) scale in size but with 9mm (N) wheel spacing, allowing them to run on N Gauge Track. These can be integrated into an HO Layout through the use of N Gauge track and will make a striking addition to any layout display! Both the Prince and Princess are powered by a newly designed coreless motor drive which operates the two powered axles – one of which is fitted with a traction tire. Electrical pickup is present both under the locomotive as well as the tender, and the engines will come with PECO couplers making them compatible with PECO’s line of 009 Scale products!

Prototype History: Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 0-4-0 represents one of the simplest possible types, that with two axles and four coupled wheels, all of which are driven. The wheels on the earliest four-coupled locomotives were connected by a single gear wheel, but from 1825 the wheels were usually connected with coupling rods to form a single driven set. The earliest 0-4-0 locomotives were tender engines and appeared as early as 1802. This version of this locomotive has its water and fuel is carried in an attached tender.

Under the UIC classification used in Europe and, in more recent years, in simplified form in the United States, an 0-4-0 is classified as B (German and Italian) if the axles are connected by side rods or gearing and 020 (French), independent of axle motoring. The UIC's Bo classification for electric and diesel-electric locomotives indicates that the axles are independently motored, which would be 0-2-2-0 under the Whyte notation.

Road Name History: No applicable company.

Brand/Importer Information: Kato Precision Railroad Models (関水金属株式会社 Sekisui Kinzoku Kabushikigaisha) is a Japanese manufacturer of model railroad equipment in N and HO scales. The Tokyo-based company manufactures models based on Japanese prototypes (such as the Shinkansen bullet train) for the Japanese market, North American prototypes for the North American market and European high-speed trains for European market.
The Kato (pronounced kah-toe) model railroad companies were founded by Yuji Kato, father of current president Hiroshi Kato, of the parent company Sekisui Kinzoku Co., Ltd.

The design and distribution of models for the North American market are handled by their U.S. subsidiary, Kato USA, located in Schaumburg, Illinois.
The design of special models for the European market is handled for some of them by their partner, Lemke, whereas the general distribution of Kato products in Europe is handled by NOCH; both companies are located in Germany.
As a result, some Kato European models are sold as Kato Lemke and others as Kato (alone).