Kato 176-053L N Alco PA1 Santa Fe Gold Bonnet #53L

This is a Kato 176-053L-DCC N Scale Santa Fe Goldbonnet ALCO PA-1 Diesel Locomotive with Ready-to-run DCC #53L. All of these locomotives feature a DCC-friendly mechanism, allowing for simple drop-in installation of decoder for hobbyists operating with digital control. Our famous five-pole motor with dual brass flywheels and equipped with frictionless trucks with blackened metal wheels powers these locomotives. These units are equipped with fully-automatic magnetic knuckle couplers, with optional long shank couplers included.

Prototype History

ALCO's beautiful PA-1 is one of America's most famous locomotives. It was ALCO's entry into the passenger train diesel craze, competing directly with the E-Units from EMD.

Originally run on the Texas and New Orleans, Southern Pacific PA's #6055 and 6056 were later put into service on the SP's coastal division, pulling trains such as the Morning Daylight.

ALCO locomotives were also used in service with the famous "California Zephyr" passenger train, adopting a number of paint schemes, the most famous of which was perhaps the "Prospector" paint scheme. This paint scheme was a striking two-tone silver and gold arrangement, highlited by a series of four black stripes going down the side of the body.

Model Information:

All of these locomotives feature a DCC-friendly mechanism, allowing for simple "drop-in" installation of decoder for hobbyists operating with digital control. Our famous five-pole motor with dual brass flywheels and equipped with frictionless trucks with blackened metal wheels powers these locomotives. These units are equipped with fully-automatic magnetic knuckle couplers, with optional long shank couplers included.

Drop in DCC compatible with the Train Control Systems K0D8 series and Digitrax DN163K0A

Southern Pacific Daylight versions: Features updated lighting with illuminated numberboards.