Kato N Scale GE ES44AC GEVO Canadian National CN #2816 DCC/Sound – KAT1768969S

Kato N Scale GE ES44AC GEVO Canadian National CN #2816 DCC/Sound Diesel Locomotive – 176-8969-S

Experience the power and sound of modern Canadian freight railroading with the Kato N Scale GE ES44AC GEVO Canadian National (CN) #2816 DCC/Sound Diesel Locomotive (176-8969-S). Featuring Canadian National's distinctive black, red, and white paint scheme with prominent CN lettering and website markings, this highly detailed N Scale (1:160) locomotive recreates General Electric's powerful Evolution Series ES44AC diesel-electric locomotive.

Equipped with factory-installed DCC/Sound, Kato's precision five-pole motor, dual brass flywheels, directional LED headlights, illuminated number boards, illuminated ditch lights, and magnetic knuckle couplers, this sound-equipped GEVO combines detailed modern locomotive styling with dependable digital operation.

Unlike the standard DC and DCC-only configurations, the Kato 176-8969-S comes equipped for digital locomotive control and sound operation, making it an excellent choice for model railroaders seeking a modern Canadian National diesel locomotive with factory-installed sound.

Canadian National #2816 – Modern CN Freight Power

Canadian National Railway, commonly known as CN, operates one of North America's most extensive freight railroad networks. Connecting Canada's Atlantic and Pacific coasts with major markets throughout the United States, CN serves agricultural regions, manufacturing centers, ports, automotive facilities, and intermodal terminals.

Canadian National 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 demanding freight operations found across this extensive network.

The Canadian National GE ES44AC #2816 features the railroad's recognizable black, red, and white appearance, including prominent CN graphics and website lettering. Its modern GEVO body design makes it an excellent addition to contemporary Canadian and American N Scale freight layouts.

Whether operating on a long-distance intermodal train, hauling grain across the Canadian Prairies, or leading mixed merchandise traffic through an industrial district, CN #2816 offers a realistic representation of modern North American freight locomotive power.

GE ES44AC GEVO – 4,400 Horsepower Evolution Series Technology

The GE ES44AC belongs to General Electric's Evolution Series, a family of diesel-electric locomotives developed to meet increasingly stringent emissions standards while maintaining the horsepower and tractive effort necessary 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 requirements while improving fuel efficiency compared with earlier diesel locomotive generations.

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

Kato's N Scale reproduction captures these characteristic features with detailed bodywork, realistic proportions, railroad-specific exterior configurations, and carefully applied Canadian National markings.

Factory-Installed DCC/Sound for Realistic Diesel Locomotive Operation

The Kato 176-8969-S Canadian National ES44AC #2816 includes factory-installed DCC/Sound for operation on compatible Digital Command Control model railroad systems.

Digital Command Control provides independent control of locomotive speed and direction, while the integrated sound system adds realistic diesel locomotive audio to modern freight operations.

Sound-equipped operation enhances the experience of running heavy freight trains, whether the locomotive is idling in a classification yard, accelerating onto the mainline, or hauling a long train across a contemporary railroad layout.

With DCC/Sound already installed, model railroaders can enjoy digital locomotive control and sound without performing a separate decoder and speaker installation.

Please Note: This is the factory-equipped DCC/Sound version. The standard DC and DCC-only configurations of Canadian National #2816 are separate products.

Precision Kato Five-Pole Motor with Dual Brass Flywheels

At the heart of the Kato N Scale GE ES44AC is a powerful five-pole motor paired with dual brass flywheels, engineered to provide smooth acceleration, consistent low-speed performance, and dependable operation.

The dual-flywheel drivetrain helps maintain smooth locomotive movement through changes in speed, making this GEVO well suited for realistic freight train operation and digitally controlled multiple-unit consists.

Whether hauling modern intermodal equipment, grain hoppers, tank cars, autoracks, lumber cars, or mixed merchandise trains, the Kato ES44AC delivers the dependable mechanical performance associated with the manufacturer'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 its appearance during operation.

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

These lighting features complement the model's detailed GEVO body and Canadian National markings, making it an attractive addition to modern freight yards, industrial districts, and mainline railroad scenes.

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 for coupling with compatible N Scale freight cars and locomotives, allowing modelers to assemble realistic contemporary freight trains.

Its combination of detailed exterior construction, smooth-running mechanism, and factory-installed DCC/Sound makes CN #2816 an excellent choice for modern Canadian National locomotive collections.

Kato N Scale GE ES44AC CN #2816 DCC/Sound 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
• Factory-installed DCC/Sound
• Digital locomotive control and integrated sound operation
• Precision five-pole Kato motor
• Dual brass flywheels for smooth performance
• 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

Build a Modern Canadian National Freight Locomotive Fleet

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

Pair this GEVO 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 recreate the multiple-unit diesel consists commonly seen on heavy North American freight trains. Compatible DCC-equipped locomotives can be configured for coordinated operation using appropriate decoder settings.

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 DC Locomotive or the Kato CN #2816 ES44AC DCC Locomotive to compare available versions.

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-S
• Fusion Scale Hobbies SKU: KAT1768969S
• 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: Factory-Installed DCC/Sound
• Factory Sound: Yes
• 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

Does Kato 176-8969-S include factory-installed DCC and sound?

Yes. This locomotive includes factory-installed DCC/Sound for digital locomotive control and sound-equipped operation on compatible DCC systems.

Does the Kato CN #2816 ES44AC require a separate sound decoder installation?

No. The 176-8969-S configuration comes factory equipped with DCC/Sound, so a separate sound decoder installation is not required.

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 configurations represent Canadian National GE ES44AC locomotive #2816.

Does this locomotive feature 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 heavy freight operation.

Can this locomotive operate with other DCC-equipped Canadian National locomotives?

Yes. Compatible DCC-equipped locomotives can be configured for multiple-unit consisting using appropriate decoder settings and DCC system functions, allowing modelers to recreate modern Canadian National freight trains powered by multiple locomotives.

What scale is Kato 176-8969-S?

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