Kato N Scale GE ES44AC GEVO Canadian National CN #2816 DC – KAT1768969

Kato N Scale GE ES44AC GEVO Canadian National CN #2816 DC Diesel Locomotive – 176-8969

Bring the power of modern Canadian freight railroading to your model railroad with the Kato N Scale GE ES44AC GEVO Canadian National (CN) #2816 DC Diesel Locomotive (176-8969). This highly detailed N Scale (1:160) locomotive represents General Electric's powerful Evolution Series ES44AC, featuring Canadian National's recognizable black, red, and white paint scheme with CN lettering and website markings.

Designed for standard DC operation, this ready-to-run locomotive combines Kato's precision five-pole motor, dual brass flywheels, directional LED headlights, illuminated number boards, illuminated ditch lights, and magnetic knuckle couplers. Its DCC-ready mechanism also allows installation of a compatible drop-in decoder for modelers transitioning to Digital Command Control.

Whether you're modeling contemporary Canadian National freight operations, assembling a modern GEVO locomotive fleet, or expanding your N Scale diesel roster, Kato's CN #2816 offers detailed appearance and dependable operating performance.

Canadian National #2816 – Modern CN Freight Locomotive

Canadian National Railway, commonly known as CN, operates an extensive freight railroad network connecting Canada's Atlantic and Pacific coasts with major markets throughout the United States. Its system serves ports, agricultural regions, industrial centers, automotive facilities, and intermodal terminals across North America.

CN's freight operations include intermodal containers, grain, lumber, forest products, automotive shipments, energy products, and mixed merchandise traffic. Powerful six-axle diesel locomotives such as the GE ES44AC are well suited for the heavy freight trains operating across this extensive network.

The Canadian National #2816 features CN's recognizable black, red, and white appearance, including prominent CN graphics and website lettering. This distinctive paint scheme makes the locomotive an excellent addition to contemporary Canadian and American N Scale freight layouts.

Modelers can use CN #2816 to represent modern mainline freight operations, heavy merchandise trains, intermodal service, and multiple-unit locomotive consists.

GE ES44AC Evolution Series – 4,400 Horsepower GEVO Technology

The GE ES44AC is part of General Electric's Evolution Series, a family of diesel-electric locomotives developed to meet increasingly stringent emissions requirements while maintaining the horsepower and tractive effort needed for heavy mainline freight service.

The prototype ES44AC features a GEVO-12 twelve-cylinder diesel engine producing approximately 4,400 horsepower. Introduced during the mid-2000s, the Evolution Series was designed to meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Tier 2 locomotive emissions standards while providing improved fuel efficiency compared with earlier locomotive generations.

The ES44AC uses alternating-current traction motors to deliver strong adhesion and pulling capability for demanding freight operations. Its distinctive enlarged rear radiator section, dual-fan cooling arrangement, and modern wide-cab body make the GEVO one of the most recognizable locomotive designs in contemporary North American railroading.

Kato captures these recognizable features in N Scale with a detailed locomotive body, realistic proportions, and railroad-specific exterior configurations.

Powerful Kato Five-Pole Motor with Dual Brass Flywheels

The Kato N Scale GE ES44AC CN #2816 features a precision five-pole motor with dual brass flywheels, engineered for smooth acceleration, dependable low-speed performance, and consistent operation.

The dual-flywheel drivetrain helps maintain smooth locomotive movement through speed changes, making this GEVO suitable for realistic freight train operation and multiple-locomotive consists.

Whether hauling modern intermodal equipment, covered hoppers, tank cars, autoracks, or mixed merchandise trains, the Kato ES44AC provides the reliable mechanical performance associated with Kato's N Scale diesel locomotive lineup.

Directional LED Headlights, Illuminated Number Boards, and Ditch Lights

Kato equips the GE ES44AC Canadian National #2816 with detailed lighting features designed to enhance the locomotive's appearance during operation.

• Directional LED Headlights: Provide locomotive illumination appropriate to the direction of travel.
• Illuminated Number Boards: Preprinted locomotive number boards feature illumination for realistic identification.
• Illuminated Ditch Lights: Reproduce the distinctive front-end lighting arrangement associated with modern North American freight locomotives.

These features complement the model's detailed GEVO body and Canadian National railroad markings, making it suitable for modern freight yards, industrial districts, and mainline railroad scenes.

Standard DC Operation with Drop-In DCC Compatibility

The Kato 176-8969 Canadian National ES44AC #2816 is supplied for conventional DC operation, making it suitable for model railroaders using traditional analog power packs.

The locomotive is also DCC ready, allowing conversion to Digital Command Control using a compatible drop-in decoder. Kato identifies the following decoder options for its ES44AC mechanism:

• Train Control Systems TCS K1D4 – Compatible drop-in DCC decoder.
• Digitrax DN163K1C – Compatible drop-in DCC decoder.
• ESU 58741 LokSound 5 Micro DCC Direct Kato USA – Compatible sound-decoder option, with additional components and installation required for sound operation.

This flexibility makes the locomotive an excellent choice for modelers who currently operate DC layouts but may eventually transition to DCC.

Please Note: This is the standard DC version. It does not include a factory-installed DCC decoder or sound system.

Detailed GEVO Body and Kato Magnetic Knuckle Couplers

Kato's ES44AC model captures the distinctive appearance of General Electric's Evolution Series locomotives, including the modern wide cab, enlarged rear radiator section, six-axle truck configuration, and railroad-specific exterior details.

The locomotive features Kato magnetic knuckle couplers, allowing coupling with compatible N Scale freight cars and locomotives. This makes it easy to assemble realistic contemporary freight trains using modern rolling stock.

Kato N Scale GE ES44AC CN #2816 DC Features

• Highly detailed N Scale (1:160) GE ES44AC Evolution Series diesel locomotive
• Canadian National Railway (CN) markings
• Locomotive road number 2816
• Black, red, and white Canadian National paint scheme with website markings
• Standard DC operation
• DCC-ready mechanism for compatible drop-in decoder installation
• Precision five-pole Kato motor
• Dual brass flywheels for smooth operation
• Directional LED headlights
• Illuminated, preprinted number boards
• Illuminated ditch lights
• Kato magnetic knuckle couplers
• Detailed GE Evolution Series locomotive body
• Railroad-specific exterior detailing
• Distinctive oversized GEVO radiator section
• Six-axle C-C locomotive configuration
• Suitable for contemporary Canadian and American freight operations
• No factory-installed DCC decoder or sound

Build a Modern Canadian National Freight Locomotive Fleet

The Kato Canadian National ES44AC #2816 is an excellent choice for model railroaders recreating contemporary CN freight operations across Canada and the United States.

Pair this GEVO locomotive with modern intermodal cars, grain hoppers, tank cars, autoracks, lumber cars, and mixed merchandise equipment to reproduce realistic freight movements through industrial districts, classification yards, and mainline corridors.

For additional locomotive power, combine CN #2816 with other Canadian National GEVO locomotives, including CN #2828, to represent the multiple-unit diesel consists commonly seen on heavy freight trains.

Explore More Kato N Scale GEVO Locomotives

Expand your modern locomotive roster with our Kato N Scale GEVO Locomotives Collection, featuring GE Evolution Series locomotives representing Canadian National, Canadian Pacific Kansas City, Canadian Pacific, and other major North American railroads.

Looking for another control configuration of Canadian National #2816? Explore the Kato CN #2816 ES44AC DCC Locomotive or the Kato CN #2816 ES44AC DCC/Sound Locomotive for factory-equipped digital operation.

Discover additional locomotives, passenger trains, and rolling stock in our Kato Model Trains Collection, or browse our complete selection of Model Trains and Railroad Equipment at Fusion Scale Hobbies.

Product Specifications

• Manufacturer: Kato USA
• Manufacturer Part Number: 176-8969
• Fusion Scale Hobbies SKU: KAT1768969
• Scale: N Scale (1:160)
• Railroad: Canadian National Railway (CN)
• Road Number: 2816
• Locomotive Model: GE ES44AC
• Locomotive Family: GE Evolution Series (GEVO)
• Paint Scheme: Canadian National Black, Red, and White with Website Markings
• Prototype Horsepower: 4,400 HP
• Prototype Engine: GEVO-12
• Wheel Arrangement: C-C (Six Axles)
• Control: DC
• DCC: Ready for Compatible Drop-In Decoder
• Factory Sound: No
• Motor: Five-Pole Kato Motor
• Flywheels: Dual Brass Flywheels
• Lighting: Directional LED Headlights, Illuminated Number Boards, and Ditch Lights
• Couplers: Kato Magnetic Knuckle Couplers

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Kato ES44AC Canadian National #2816 DCC equipped?

No. Kato 176-8969 is supplied for standard DC operation. The locomotive is DCC ready and accepts compatible drop-in decoders for conversion to Digital Command Control.

Does Kato 176-8969 include factory-installed sound?

No. This configuration does not include factory-installed sound. A separately available DCC/Sound configuration is offered as Kato 176-8969-S.

What DCC decoders are compatible with Kato 176-8969?

Kato identifies the Train Control Systems K1D4, Digitrax DN163K1C, and ESU 58741 LokSound 5 Micro DCC Direct Kato USA as compatible decoder options.

Does this locomotive have illuminated ditch lights?

Yes. Kato equips the ES44AC with illuminated ditch lights, directional LED headlights, and illuminated preprinted number boards.

What is a GE ES44AC GEVO locomotive?

The GE ES44AC is a six-axle, 4,400-horsepower diesel-electric locomotive from General Electric's Evolution Series. It uses a twelve-cylinder GEVO diesel engine and AC traction motors for efficient, high-tractive-effort freight operation.

What is the difference between Kato 176-8969, 176-8969-DCC, and 176-8969-S?

The 176-8969 is the standard DC version with a DCC-ready mechanism. The 176-8969-DCC includes factory-installed DCC without sound. The 176-8969-S includes factory-installed DCC/Sound. All three versions represent Canadian National GE ES44AC locomotive #2816.

What scale is Kato 176-8969?

This locomotive is N Scale (1:160), designed for operation on standard North American N Scale model railroad layouts.