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EMD E5A

Prototype Information:

The EMD E5 was built as a 2000 horsepower (despite the �E� in the name of the locomotive series originally referring to an �Eighteen hundred� horsepower engine specification) locomotive for passenger service specifically for the Chicago Burlington & Quincy. The major difference between the E5 and its other early E-unit brothers was its stainless steel finish and distinctive fluting, specifically chosen to match the CB&Q�s corrugated passenger trains such as the California Zephyr, Nebraska Zephyr, and Silver Streak Zephyr.


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EMD E5A #9909 �Silver Bullet� was built specially for service with the Silver Streak Zephyr and was fitted with Skirts on the trucks and a covered cowl to emphasize the sleek, streamlined look of the locomotive and train.

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Individual EMD E5A locomotive releases have a variety of different printing patterns on the nose to reflect the �general use� versions of the CB&Q E5A locomotive, as well as have un-skirted trucks that reflect the locomotive�s later appearance when they would have been used to pull trains such as the California Zephyr.

Model Information:

The EMD E5 has a distinctive raised angular radiator grill arrangement on the roof that was specific for that locomotive.
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A special feature of the new Kato EMD E5A is that the front coupler cowling can be removed on both the skirted and un-skirted units in order to mount a Kato magnetic knuckle coupler � this allows modelers to double head these locomotives when pulling longer trains such as the California Zephyr! Please note that the optional couplers are only included with the single locomotive releases.
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Another point of interest is that all E5�s were custom built with stainless steel corrugated sides so as to match the CB&Q�s stainless cars; a feature that gives these locomotives a noticeable shine and makes the matching Silver Streak Zephyr Zephyr so elegant.

Model Features:

  • Equipped with a mix of body and truck mounted KATO magnetic knuckle couplers
  • Directional Golden White LED headlights and illuminated preprinted numberboards
  • Powerful five pole motor with all wheel electrical pickup and blackened wheels
  • Drop in DCC compatible with the Train Control Systems K0D8-E Decoder

Videos and Additional Content:

Watch the CB&Q "Silver Streak Zephyr" in action in this feature video on youtube - click the image to the left to open the video in a new window!

Detail Photos; click for higher resolution images


E5A "Black Nose" Individual Release version

E5A "Black Nose" Set Release version

E5A "Red Nose" IRM version

E5A "Red Nose" 60's version
Current Releases:
Item # Description MSRP
106-090 N CB&Q EMD E5A & Silver Streak Zephyr 6 Unit Set
    Includes:
  • EMD E5A #9909 �Silver Bullet�
  • Budd Baggage/RPO #1600 �Silver Sheen�
  • Budd Baggage Car #900 �Silver Light�
  • Budd Coach #4703 �Silver Gleam�
  • Budd Coach #4704 �Silver Glow�
  • Budd Observation #300 �Silver Spirit�
  • Specially designed bookcase packaging that holds all 6 locomotives and cars with additional room for an extra 2 E5 locomotives
$250.00
176-5401 N EMD E5A CB&Q #9910A �Silver Speed� $110.00
176-5401-DCC N EMD E5A CB&Q #9910A �Silver Speed� w/ Ready-to-Run DCC $190.00
176-5402 N EMD E5A CB&Q #9911A �Silver Pilot� $110.00
176-5403 N EMD E5A "Red Band" CB&Q #9911A �Silver Pilot� (Illinois Railway Museum Version) $110.00
176-5403-DCC N EMD E5A "Red Band" CB&Q #9911A �Silver Pilot� (Illinois Railway Museum Version) w/ Ready-to-Run DCC $190.00
176-5404 N EMD E5A "Red Band" CB&Q #9912A (60's Version) $110.00
176-5404-DCC N EMD E5A "Red Band" CB&Q #9912A (60's Version) w/ Ready-to-Run DCC $190.00

 

Kato USA, Inc. 100 Remington Road Schaumburg, IL 60173