These are one of the most awesome locomotives in my collection. I have all of them but 1 that were released. And that was the #46 in 5Oth Anniversary scheme. None of my retailers ever got one. This is my fleet!
The Amtrak Auto Train. It is a very long train, 18 cars and 4-6 Autoracks up a 3% grade that is 17 feet long. Takes 3 P42's to do it.
All Kato locomotives run very smoothly. SD40's SD70's and the ES44DC's, FVM also made them. and the are great runners too. I put Zimo decoders in all FVM locomotives because they all used the 651 6 pin decoder, and those Zimo decoders are the smoothest movers. The algorithms in the decoder for BEMF etc are better than anyone elses on the market.
@DCESharkman How do you like your ACL-42's I think they are? Going to order my P-42 in Midnight Blue soon as I am afraid they will run out soon, and I want that one really bad. I love how my Operation Life Saver P-42 runs. Not sure IF I want an ACL-42 or not? I do have issues pulling the Kato passengers cars, but I think it is me, as they don't roll very freely anymore. Maybe I did something to them. They do need a wide radius track though, that is for sure. I want the P-42 Midnight Blue, just wondering if there is another P-42 I should pick up? I'm all abut the looks, not prototypical operation, just fun for me. Not sure about this one? Me likes the Dash 8 Phase II, what does that mean? It's a P-42 right?
The Alc's run about as well as the P-42's. They are at about the same weight and use the the same motors. I don't know why but as nice as they are, I think I like the P-42's a bit more.
Yeah I am going to order another P-42, the Midnight Blue one, and think I will be done, I think! Love the P-42's for sure. The weight of them, they seem very strong and well made, and although I am not suppose too, I basically use them as switchers too at times And they run well on 9 3/4" radius most of the time. I do have issues with the Amtrak Amfleet Viewliner Intercity Express Phase VI 3-Car Set, even on my now 19" radius? Might be something I am doing or have done with them? No reason for them to jump the track on 19" radius.
TrainBoard advertiser TrainWorld still has five of those locos in stock. https://www.trainworld.com/kato-176...h-50th-anniversary-logo-46-kato-176-6034.html
Silly me, I already have the 50th anniversary #46. It came with factory sound and that is why I missed it. It was placed in the Amtrak locomotive box without thinking. I need to be more cognizant of what arrives and not just be semi-robotic and place them in the proper storage boxes without take note of the new locomotive.
