Prototype information:
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| Not sound equipped-sound recorded from an MP40PH-3C. |
The four-axle locomotive featured an EMD 16V645E3 turbocharged diesel engine, producing 3000hp (although Chicago's order specified a 3200hp rating.) It drove an Alternator, producing Alternating Current, which is rectified to DC current to power the 4 traction motors. For Head-End-Power (HEP), the F40PH had a separate alternator to produce HEP, driven by the main engine via a shaft. Because the HEP alternator needs to be at a constant frequency, the prime mover was speed-locked to 900rpm whenever it was supplying HEP, regardless of locomotive speed. Speed is controlled purely by controlling the traction motors' excitation levels. Traction power decreases to 2400hp when supplying HEP. Later versions of the F40PH feature a separate genset at the rear dedicated to supplying HEP, so as not to burden the prime mover.
The F40PH has since been retired from Amtrak service, but it continues to be the motive power for many commuter and long-distance railroads, namely the Chicago Metra (a division of the RTA) and VIA Rail Canada (a crown corporation of the Government of Canada.) Many ex-Amtrak units have found homes on commuter and shortline railroads as well.
Model details:
Since I have both of the recent released paint schemes, the Metra and the Amtrak, I can really point out the differences in detail between the two.
Both models are very detailed, and stand out from the competition because they do not have any of the deficiencies found on other HO models of the same locomotive. Unlike the competition, KATO's F40PHs have the correct fan details, and the correct truck placement (the center of the trucks are in-line with the cab ladders on the KATO units, while they are not on the competitors.) Despite being extremely detailed, these locomotives are not compromised in any way (such as fragility) The in-cab detail is also present, consisting of a conductor's and the engineer's seat, and a control stand.
I have mentioned before that these feature roadname-specific details. I will talk about the Amtrak first. The roadnumber I have is number 334. The prototype 334 is now SCAX 800.
The Amtrak unit features the rectangular air conditioner above the cab, a single red light above the front cab windows, the white number boards, no backup marker lights, and ditch lights "embedded" into the nose. It also features the Amtrak snowplow and rear handrails. The roof fans also have the correct rectangular shape (when viewed from the sides). Coupler cut levers are also of the Amtrak style, being rectangular shaped. Consumer parts specific to the Amtrak units include the twin beacons, extra grab irons on the nose and the rear platform, and the extra rectangular piece to be installed behind the A/C unit.
The METRA unit, on the other hand, feature the twin rounded A/C units above the cab, dark number boards, and a vertical two-light cluster above the cab. It also includes backup marker lights and ditch lights protruding from the nose, as well as the passenger style pilot found on pre-rebuild METRA units (this unit has since been rebuilt and now features Amtrak style underbody details.) Coupler cut levers are of the V-shaped kind. The rear platform also has no handrails, and radiator fans are more rounded when looked at from the side.
The roadnumber for the METRA unit that I have is #160 (Village of Winfield.) It is commonly found on the Union Pacific lines on the METRA system, but can be re-allocated elsewhere (except the Electric line).
Consumer applied details applicable to both units include: grab irons, MU hoses, the coupler cut bars, and the radio antenna. The MU hoses in particular require some tools to detach them from the sprues holding them to the main bit.
Operation:
It is recommended to not run this locomotive above 12 volts in DC for too long.
Both of my KATO F40PHs perform superbly on my not-so-often cleaned layout. Unlike the P42DC they are not super-sensitive. I run them off my Athearn 16V power supply, and at 75% power on my powerpack they replicate the speed limit of the prototypes perfectly (the speed limit for METRA and some Amtrak routes is 79mph.) Starts and stops are extremely smooth; they start crawling at 15% power on my powerpack, and smoothly accelerates to the scale 79mph. The locomotives have momentum programmed into them; when the power is cut off they will crawl before smoothly coming to a stop. Hence, these do not stop on a dime. The drive, not to mention, is extremely quiet.
One KATO F40 is enough to pull all 8 of my Rapido/Walthers passenger cars by itself. Unless you have a really big layout, you probably won't need to pull more than 5 with one locomotive. 8 cars may not sound like a lot, but Rapido cars are NOT smooth rollers, and the Walthers cars are extremely heavy. One passenger car is equal to about 2 40-45ft boxcars.
Maintenance:
The shell can be removed by lifting it off the frame with attention to the lift hooks at the bottom.
To clean the locomotive, use commercially available wheel cleaners or:
Use 2 sheets of paper towel folded over, lightly soak them with water, place it on the tracks, place one truck of the locomotive onto the sheet, and gradually adding power to the track. Turn the locomotive around and repeat with the other truck.
DCC/Sound conversions:
This locomotive can easily be converted to DCC/Sound (I have not done this myself)
To convert to DCC:
- Lift the shell off the frame
- Take the dummy plus out of the 8-pin socket
- Install your decoder and test the unit.
To add DCC/Sound using an ESU Loksound chip (will require a 1" speaker):
- Lift the shell off the frame
- Take dummy plugs out of the 8-pin socket
- Install the decoder
- Solder the speaker to the decoder
- Snap the speaker into the speaker baffle
- Test the unit.
Soundtraxx Tsunami produces a board replacement specifically for the KATO F40PH. To install:
- Lift shell off frame
- Carefully pry out the copper contacts on the sides of the light board
- Unscrew the light board
- Screw in the Tsunami Light/DCC/Sound board
- Put the copper contacts into the slots provided on the sides of the board
- Follow the last three steps of the DCC/Sound conversion. Remember to test the unit.
Conclusion:
Overall, my personal rating of both locomotives are 9 out of 10.
The two F40PHs outperform any other locomotive on my layout, although it doesn't have as much pulling power as the KATO P42, it can be excused by its lack of sensitivity and its smooth performance, and as mentioned before, they are both extremely detailed yet not compromised. (FYI: It's no wonder these are the workhorses on my layout)
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