Kato USA - 126-0100 - Locomotive, Steam, 2-8-2 Heavy Mikado - Undecorated

Model Information: This model was introduced in 1996. A revised version was released in 2001. In 2007 the 20th Anniversary version was released. Finally, in 2008, Kato produced a KOBO-Custom DCC version. This model is an icon of the N Scale hobby. The Kato 2-8-2 was the first N-Scale steam model to achieve celebrity status. It runs fast and smooth, and it reset the consumer's expectations for what could be delivered for a reasonable price in N Scale for a steam engine.

Unfortunately, the engine doesn't pull well uphill. It is possible to equip it with an OEM traction tire, but this requires some work and partial disassembly. Once equipped, it pulls much better, but loses most of the pickup capability in two wheels. Not a major loss, but still noticeable on dirty track. By the standards of diesel engines, the performance is fine. Remember though that the other steam engines being produced in the 1990's were a huge step behind the performance of a typical 'modern' split-frame dual-flywheel diesel, so simply producing a steam engine as good as a diesel was a small miracle.

Kato changed the industry with this model and it is an excellent addition to the collection of anyone who models the steam era. But if you are a DCC person, save your pennies for a modern DCC-Read Kato production such as the FEF3.

DCC Information: It isn't in the least bit DCC-friendly. Don't even think about doing it yourself unless you are comfortable milling out space in the chassis.

Prototype History: The Heavy Mikado was "conceived" under the auspices of the United States Railway Administration (USRA), an agency established during WWI to regulate the railroad industry during the war. One of the first undertakings of the USRA was to develop locomotive (and rolling stock) designs that the railroads could share. This "common design" program was highly successful in streamlining production, and many USRA engines were used long after the war was over, essentially "outliving" the agency that conceived them.

The 2-8-2 is a railroad steam locomotive that has one leading axle followed by four powered driving axles and one trailing axle. This configuration of steam locomotive is most often referred to as a Mikado, or shortened to just "Mike". The USRA ultimately created 12 different steam locomotive designs, including both the Heavy Mikado and Light Mikado. Both the Light and Heavy Mikado used the same 63" drivers and running gear, but the Heavy Mike had a fatter boiler and put out more pounds on the drivers. This resulted in a more powerful locomotive.

Under the USRA's watch, 233 Heavy Mikados were built. Including copies built later, the total number of Heavy Mikes was 957 units, purchased originally by 23 different railroads, primarily in freight service. Some Mikado steam engine are still in service today, employed mostly for tourist or railfan trips.

Road Name History: Although they may be molded in color, unpainted and unlettered, undecorated products are marketed to modelers who seek to custom decorate their models for private roads and/or road and/or company names that were not commercially produced by any of the major manufacturers.

Undecorated models are frequently also unassembled or only partially assembled and required modelers to be comfortable with glue, paint and sometimes solder in order to prepare their models for display. Materials for these models can vary but often include plastic, pewter and resin. Models may or may not come with decals or other decorations such as plastic signage, railings and ladders to enhance the appearance of the final product.

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.)