Kato announces CB&Q Pioneer Zephyr in N scale

[pmpexpress]

The train has been moved from Lincoln to the south end of the North Conway Scenic RR.  There are still hopes and dreams of restoring it.

Elaborating on the information that Stolen Moment has generously provided, perusing the the internet revealed that in November 2023, following an extensive Request For Proposal (RFP) process by the State of New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT), the Flying Yankee Association (FYA) acquired the train for $1.00.

Moved by truck from the former Plymouth and Lincoln Railroad (i.e., now the Granite State Scenic Railroad) on July 30, 2024, awaiting the construction of a structure to house it, the train is now located in the Conway Scenic Railroad yard in North Conway, New Hampshire.

[OldEastRR]

OK, this thing is listed as "plain" (no DCC or extras), with DCC, with DCC and lights, just lights, just sound, and with sound and lights. Do we assume the sets with extras are also DCC equipped? Or at least can have decoders install post-sale?

[thomasjmdavis]

OK, this thing is listed as "plain" (no DCC or extras), with DCC, with DCC and lights, just lights, just sound, and with sound and lights. Do we assume the sets with extras are also DCC equipped? Or at least can have decoders install post-sale?

Per the Kato website... https://katousa.com/n-pioneer-zephyr/

DCC friendly mechanism with a speaker housing space baggage compartment.
Directional Golden White LED headlights and taillights.
Smooth rolling blackened metal wheels with all-wheel electrical pickup.
Upgradable with standard KATO lighting kits

The diagram is here- https://katousa.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Zephyrpower1-1.pdf and it appears to have a circuit board similar to the E8 and F7- essentially, the same as we've been working with for the past 25 years- right down to that annoying plastic clip that only breaks when you don't have a spare handy.

[u18b]

- right down to that annoying plastic clip that only breaks when you don't have a spare handy.

THIS ^

[altohorn25]

Per the Kato website... https://katousa.com/n-pioneer-zephyr/
The diagram is here- https://katousa.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Zephyrpower1-1.pdf and it appears to have a circuit board similar to the E8 and F7- essentially, the same as we've been working with for the past 25 years- right down to that annoying plastic clip that only breaks when you don't have a spare handy.

If I'm reading that schematic correctly, they're putting traction tires on both the front and rear powered trucks........what the hell?!?!?!?!?

Talk about a giant step backward........just put more weight in the damn thing.  How disappointing......

[OldEastRR]

Everything old is new!! Next .. open three pole motors!!

[C62-2]

That looks like their new slotless motor (https://www.hobbycenterkato.com/低速革命-n-スロットレスモーターのご案内)

[peteski]

While I don't think traction tires are needed for a short self propelled passenger train, I wonder if, ina  typical Kato fashion all the trucks will be picking up power, so the traction tires will not affect the electrical pickup much.

[learmoia]

Is there ANY metal in that mechanism?

[peteski]

Is there ANY metal in that mechanism?

I would say that the black colored part in the drawing (under the motor) is likely diecast metal.