Kato 176-9105 Digital

Chicago Metra #174 “Fox River Grove”

Model

• Railway company: Chicago Metra
• Locomotive type: EMD F40PH
• Running number: 174
• Livery: Chicago Metra – New Paint Scheme
• Name: “Fox River Grove”
• Digital: DCC decoder factory-installed
• Sound: No sound
• Motor: Powerful 5-pole motor
• Power pickup: All-wheel electrical pickup
• Lighting: Directional LED headlights and illuminated number boards
• Additional lighting: Directional headlights and tail lights for push-pull operation
• Couplings: Kato magnetic knuckle couplers
• Other features: Detailed roof equipment, cab-mounted air-conditioning units and illuminated ditch lights
• Additional equipment: Alternative snowplough included for operation on tighter curves Smooth and reliable running characteristics.

Prototype – EMD F40PH

• Manufacturer: Electro-Motive Division (EMD), USA
• Locomotive type: Diesel-electric passenger locomotive Introduced: 1976
• Engine: EMD 16-cylinder 645-series diesel engine
• Power output: Approximately 3,000 hp (2,240 kW)
• Transmission: Diesel-electric
• Main purpose: Passenger and commuter train services
• Head End Power (HEP): Supplies electricity to passenger coaches for lighting, heating and air conditioning
• Typical operation: Push-pull passenger trains, with the locomotive at one end and a driving cab at the other
• Nickname: “Screamer”, due to the characteristic sound of the HEP generator running at constant speed
• Production: More than 400 locomotives built in various versions
• Operators: Amtrak, Metra, Caltrain, MBTA, Metrolink and other North American commuter railways
• Metra: One of the largest remaining operators of the F40PH.

Prototype background

The EMD F40PH became one of the most recognisable American passenger locomotives. It played a major role in the development of modern commuter rail services in the United States. Although it was originally closely associated with Amtrak, many locomotives later found a new lease of life with regional commuter railways.

Chicago Metra continues to use the F40PH alongside newer locomotive types. Locomotive #174 carries the “Fox River Grove” name, referring to the Illinois community.