{"product_id":"kato-n-scale-fp7a-f7b-esu-loksound-5-dcc-milwaukee-road-post-1955-1060432s","title":"N Kato FP7A \u0026 F7B Set ESU LokSound 5 DCC Milwaukee Road Post 1955 Scheme #96A \u0026 #96B 1060432S","description":"\u003ch2\u003eN Scale Kato FP7A \u0026amp; F7B Set with ESU LokSound 5 DCC - Milwaukee Road Post-1955 Scheme\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eExperience the golden age of American passenger rail with this premium N scale (1:160) matched pair of EMD F-units in the Milwaukee Road's distinctive post-1955 orange and maroon livery. This factory-equipped ESU LokSound 5 DCC sound set brings the legendary Olympian Hiawatha to life on your layout.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eAbout the Milwaukee Road Olympian Hiawatha\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFrom 1947-1961, the Milwaukee Road Olympian Hiawatha ran passenger excursions between Chicago and the Pacific Northwest, operated by the Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul and Pacific Railroad. The Olympian Hiawatha took scheduled excursions through scenic Idaho, Montana's Bitterroot Mountains, and Washington's Cascade range. On June 29, 1947, the Milwaukee Road inaugurated its streamlined flagship on a 43-hour, 30-minute schedule, advertised as a speedliner. The railroad contracted industrial designer Brooks Stevens to design the train consist, which included some unique and signature cars of the Milwaukee Road.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1952, the first full-length Super Dome cars were added, which included 68 dome seats and 28 lounge seats. The dome area featured seats positioned lengthwise, facing the 625 square foot double-pane windows—ideal for insulation and sightseeing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1955, the Milwaukee Road announced that they would operate Union Pacific streamliners between Chicago and Omaha. This meant that the Hiawatha would be painted in Union Pacific's Armour Yellow colors. In 1956, the line was officially \"partnered with Union Pacific\" as they navigated the next couple years competing with both airline and automobile travel. The Hiawatha train wore the UP colors into the sunset as The Afternoon Hiawatha ran up until January 23, 1970. The next year, The Morning Hiawatha service was also discontinued and replaced by Amtrak lines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eMotive Power: The FP7 and F7B\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Milwaukee Road used a total of three different locomotives to pull the consist between Chicago and Olympia, WA in the early 50's—two electrics (used on electrified portions of the journey) and the EMD FP7—a specialized variation of the F7A which was lengthened to accommodate a larger water reservoir for its steam generators (a necessity for long distance passenger service like that of the Olympian Hiawatha). While E units could also have filled this role (and did, in later years), their A1A truck design (spreading their weight and giving them less traction) made them less than ideal for handling the steep grades of the Milwaukee's route through the Rocky Mountains.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFor the Olympian Hiawatha release, Kato has created a new FP7A locomotive and a new tooled version of the F7B featuring a winterization hatch—a necessity for trips through the northern US and across the Rockies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat's Included\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFP7A Unit (#96A):\u003c\/strong\u003e Powered A-unit with cab, extended frame, and water tank details unique to the passenger-service FP7 prototype\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eF7B Unit (#96B):\u003c\/strong\u003e Powered B-unit (booster) with winterization hatch detailing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFactory-Installed ESU LokSound 5 DCC Decoders:\u003c\/strong\u003e Both units feature high-fidelity digital sound and motor control for DCC layouts, while remaining compatible with DC operation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eTechnical Features\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eChassis and Drive:\u003c\/strong\u003e Kato's precision five-pole motor with dual brass flywheels and heavy low-friction drivetrain for smooth, powerful pulling performance\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDirectional Lighting:\u003c\/strong\u003e FP7A equipped with prototypical golden-white LED headlight and illuminated number boards\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDetailing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Factory-installed grab irons and ladders on both units\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCouplers:\u003c\/strong\u003e Kato magnetic knuckle couplers for reliable switching and prototypical spacing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOperation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Minimum radius of 9.75 inches (larger radii recommended for optimal appearance)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScale:\u003c\/strong\u003e N Scale (1:160)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRoad Numbers:\u003c\/strong\u003e #96A (FP7A) and #96B (F7B)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eItem Number:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1060432S\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003ePerfect For\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMilwaukee Road modelers and historians\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePassenger train enthusiasts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDCC sound operators seeking premium factory-equipped locomotives\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCollectors of classic American streamliners\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eExplore more \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/n-scale-locomotives\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eN Scale Locomotives\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e, browse our complete \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/kato-usa\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eKato USA collection\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e, or discover \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/dcc-sound-equipped\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eDCC Sound-Equipped models\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e at MPM Hobbies.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"KATO","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50927198634215,"sku":"KAT1060432S","price":533.34,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0636\/7798\/9095\/files\/KATO_2.png?v=1750867483","url":"https:\/\/mpmhobbies.com\/products\/kato-n-scale-fp7a-f7b-esu-loksound-5-dcc-milwaukee-road-post-1955-1060432s","provider":"MPM Hobbies","version":"1.0","type":"link"}