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Kato American Freedom Train SP 4449 GS-4 Southern Pacific. Kato USA N Scale Model Railroad Steam Locomotives, Lima Locomotive Works GS-4 1975 - 1976 United States Bicentennial Celebration. The n gauge Kato USA 126-0311, 4449 Southern Pacific American Freedom Train GS-4 model locomotive features: directional headlight, Directional simulated operating Mars Light, illuminated number-boards & special red, white & blue paint scheme, other features of this Kato USA n scale 1975 - 1976 SP American Freedom Train GS-4 4449 locomotive include: front & rear Kato magnetic knuckle couplers, Drivers are operated by functional side rods for smooth performance whilst running on the track, Electrical pick-up from both driver & tender for constant electrical connection. The Kato 126-0311 US Bicentennial Celebration GS-4 n scale model locomotive is also DCC-Friendly with a detailed cab interior & all detail parts are installed. For 21 months the 1975 - 1976 the Southern Pacific American Freedom train travelled around 48 US States with its special red, white & blue paint scheme for the United States Bicentennial Celebration. The American Freedom Train tour set off from Wilmington, Delaware on 1st April 1975 & ended in Miami, Florida on 26th December 1976. Over the American Freedom Train 21 month tour more than 7 million Americans visited the train & all the national treasures and artifacts exhibited on board. Designed for high-speed passenger survive the GS-4 locos were capable of running at sustained speeds of up to 110 mph. The GS-4 4-8-4 steam locomotive served the Southern Pacific Company between 1941 & 1958. A total of 28 GS-4 locos were built between April 1941 & April 1942 at the Lima Locomotive Works. Lima Locomotive Works, was an American firm that manufactured railroad locomotives 1870s right through to the 1950's. Southern Pacific premier passenger trains including Coast Daylight, Cascade & many more were pulled by the GS-4 steam locomotives. GS stands for Golden State the nickname for California. Southern Pacific 4449 is the only GS-4 Locomotive that survives & is still operational today and is at the Brooklyn Roundhouse in Portland. The Mars light was one of the more unique specifications for the GS-4 by the Southern Pacific, The Mars light was a necessity as there was a large amount of grade crossings & fog present on the US West Coast. The Mars light, like ditch lights on modern locomotives, was used as a warning for grade crossings that a high speed train was approaching, its shifting light patterns serving as an eye catcher in foggy conditions. The Southern Pacific was founded as a land holding company in 1865, Southern pacific later leased the Central Pacific Railroad. By the turn of the century the Southern Pacific Company had grown into a major Railroad system incorporating many smaller companies. Many towns along the Southern Pacific Railroad route prospered, as the SP founded a number of important hospitals in these areas. Kato Precision Railroad Models, Sekisui Kinzoku Co Ltd, is a Japanese manufacturer of n scale model railroad equipment. Kato was established in 1957 & is based in Tokyo, Japan and in 1986 Kato USA was established. Due to the high quality of their train models Kato is one of the leading n scale model train manufacturers. Kato manufactures n scale train models based on Japanese, North American prototypes & European high speed trains. The establishment of the brand Hobby-Train more than 20 years ago is strongly connected with the development of Kato, Hobby-Train / Lemke is a representative and importer of Kato n scale in Europe. Kato Lemke models are manufactured in Japan by Kato for Lemke in Germany. Working with Kato & other model producers Hobby-Train / Lemke fulfils the wishes of their model train collectors with the main focus on German, Austrian & Swiss model prototypes. As well as manufacturing n scale locomotives, Kato also have a unique modular track system, Unitrack, this takes very little time to put together whether permanent or temporary, always the same result, an almost instant sturdy operational model railway enabling you more time for modelling n scale scenery and buildings. Having the Unitrack ballasted, with an integral roadbed, allows for the possibility to create scenic boards, as any of your chosen model railway displays will always be the same shape each time created, giving flexibility and choice along with easier storage if your creation has to be put away. Because the Kato system is already ballasted it has great stability along with superior connectivity thanks to their Unijoiner concept. Simple plug and play for all N scale modelers young or old. The Kato model railway system is immense, with every conceivable railway layout catered for and is compatible with all other N gauge Usa, European and Japanese N scale locomotives and train rolling stock such as Fleischmann, Minitrix, Peco, Graham Farish and Dapol. N Scale 1:160 model Trains by Kato Usa, Kato Japan, Hobby-Train & Kato Lemke, N Gauge American Outline Trains. United States Bicentennial Celebration Steam Locomotive 4449, 1975 - 1976 Southern Pacific American Freedom Train. Kato USA N Scale 126-0311. |
