Kato hints at N Scale Metra F40PH

[kiwi_bnsf]

Courtesy of the twittersphere, Kato has posted a YouTube video highlighting the latest Bi-level Commuter car releases:

Right at the end they make a not so subtle hint that the F40PH will be released in Metra in the near future 

I understand that the tooling on the new N F40PH is still not exactly correct for Metra, but you never know with Kato - would they tool up a third variation in N scale (as they have done in H0)? Regardless, it seems like a no brainer, and I'd expect these to sell well.

I hope Kato release the MP36 and Nippon Sharyo Commuter cars in Caltrain at some point - I could live with the detail differences.

Cheers

Tim

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Where are the Horizon and F40PH in MBTA?

[central.vermont]

Where are the Horizon and F40PH in MBTA?

There too far east of the Mississippi Dan. 

Jon

[Wardie]

While I am not modeling modern commuter operations I would buy an MBTA set if Kato did it. Maybe even two.

[peteski]

Where are the Horizon and F40PH in MBTA?

But only the early 1000s series of those locos look like F40PH (with no dynamic brake). The others are a different variant. They are longer and have large gap sowing daylight between the fuel tank and the truck.  They have extra grille set in the back (steam generator?) I don't recall the specific designation but it is not just a F40PH.

The extra grille:

[CBQ Fan]

If Kato builds the Metra F-40PH I will buy one.  It is as simple as that.

[milw156]

I'm sure it will come out as soon as I paint the undec I have as early Metra. Maybe for everyone elses sake I oughta get going on it! Boy are those things a bugger to get apart!
Rick

[screeh]

I look forward to Kato making an official announcement - this is something I've hoped they would do since they announced the bilevels.

Rick, get cracking on that paint job!  I'd love to help you invoke Murphy's Law but my own project is stuck: I have a Life-Like shell, donor split-frame chassis, details and decals but no airbrush for painting (and I haven't found the right colours in spray cans)

As for the MBTA units, I believe they were rebuilt by Morrison Knudsen and are designated as either F40PH-2C or F40PHM-2C

[Ian MacMillan]

I don't recall the specific designation but it is not just a F40PH.

F40PH-2C

[Vince Gortner]

And I always was confused by that -2C model designator, cause in my mind a C stands for having a three axle truck...  IIRC the C on this model was for a Cummins genset for HEP.

But....   I did feel the need to splice up some blueprints to see what a F40PH with HT-C trucks would look like, basically like an SDP-40F but with the F40 style cab instead of the FP45 style cab.   Thought it looked neat.  I'll see if I can find those files.

[learmoia]

Comment Removed.

[mcjaco]

^ Yes. GE uses C to designate 6 wheel trucks, and B for 4 wheel trucks.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Technically there were two F40PH-2C engines. EMD built the first batch and MPI built the second. All EMD units were rebuilt in the early 2000's to MPI specs. The external difference is mostly the side cab windows and HEP generator radiators.

I think Kato may be reluctant to tool a non dynamic brake equipped F40. 

[Vince Gortner]

^ Yes. GE uses C to designate 6 wheel trucks, and B for 4 wheel trucks.

Yes, absolutely.    But if I can find one single instance where EMD/GMDD used a C to designate 3-axle trucks can I redeem myself?

GF6C

Or does that only qualify me for thread hijacking a$$hat status? 

[jereising]

Let us not forget those beautiful F40Cs...a Metra exclusive...