Kato N Scale GE ES44AC GEVO Canadian National CN #2828 DCC/Sound – KAT1768970S

Kato N Scale GE ES44AC GEVO Canadian National CN #2828 DCC/Sound Diesel Locomotive – 176-8970-S

Experience the power and sound of modern Canadian freight railroading with the Kato N Scale GE ES44AC GEVO Canadian National (CN) #2828 DCC/Sound Diesel Locomotive (176-8970-S). This highly detailed N Scale (1:160) model recreates General Electric's powerful Evolution Series ES44AC diesel-electric locomotive, featuring Canadian National's distinctive black, red, and white paint scheme with prominent CN graphics and website markings.

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

Unlike the standard DC and DCC-only configurations, the Kato 176-8970-S includes factory-installed DCC/Sound, allowing model railroaders to enjoy digital locomotive control and sound-equipped operation without performing a separate decoder and speaker installation.

Canadian National #2828 – Modern CN Freight Power

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

CN transports a diverse range of freight, including intermodal containers, grain, lumber, forest products, automotive shipments, petroleum products, chemicals, and mixed merchandise traffic. Powerful six-axle locomotives such as the GE ES44AC are well suited for the heavy freight operations found throughout this extensive network.

The Canadian National GE ES44AC #2828 represents the modern diesel locomotive power associated with contemporary CN freight service. Its distinctive Canadian National graphics and GE Evolution Series body design make it an excellent choice for Canadian and American N Scale model railroad 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 #2828 provides 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, commonly known as the GEVO, 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 for demanding freight operations. Its distinctive enlarged rear radiator section, redesigned 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 captures these recognizable GE Evolution Series features in N Scale with realistic proportions, carefully reproduced body details, and railroad-specific exterior configurations.

Factory-Installed DCC/Sound with ESU LokSound Technology

The Kato 176-8970-S Canadian National ES44AC #2828 is equipped with factory-installed DCC/Sound for digital locomotive control and realistic diesel sound operation on compatible Digital Command Control systems.

The sound-equipped version uses ESU LokSound technology, providing an immersive operating experience with diesel locomotive sound effects, horn, bell, and additional decoder-supported audio functions.

With a compatible DCC system, model railroaders can independently control locomotive speed and direction, activate supported sound functions, configure locomotive addressing, and adjust available decoder settings.

Realistic sound enhances the experience of operating heavy freight trains, whether the locomotive is idling in a classification yard, accelerating onto the mainline, or hauling a long train through a contemporary railroad scene.

Because the DCC/Sound system is factory installed, no separate decoder or speaker installation is necessary to enjoy sound-equipped operation.

Please Note: This is the factory-equipped DCC/Sound version. The standard DC and DCC-only configurations of Canadian National #2828 are separate products.

Precision Five-Pole Kato Motor with Dual Brass Flywheels

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

The dual-flywheel drivetrain helps maintain smooth locomotive movement through changes in speed, making this GEVO well suited for realistic freight train operations 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 reliable mechanical performance associated with the manufacturer's N Scale diesel locomotive lineup.

Directional LED Headlights, Illuminated Number Boards, and Ditch Lights

Kato equips the Canadian National ES44AC #2828 with detailed lighting features designed to enhance its appearance during operation.

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

Combined with factory-installed DCC/Sound, these lighting features contribute to an immersive operating experience on compatible N Scale digital layouts.

Detailed GEVO Body and Kato Magnetic Knuckle Couplers

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

The locomotive features Kato magnetic knuckle couplers for coupling with compatible N Scale freight cars and locomotives, allowing model railroaders to assemble realistic contemporary freight trains.

The combination of detailed exterior construction, smooth-running mechanical components, and factory-installed DCC/Sound makes Canadian National #2828 an excellent choice for modern diesel locomotive collections.

Kato N Scale GE ES44AC CN #2828 DCC/Sound Features

• Highly detailed N Scale (1:160) GE ES44AC Evolution Series diesel locomotive
• Canadian National Railway (CN) railroad markings
• Locomotive road number 2828
• Canadian National black, red, and white paint scheme with website markings
• Factory-installed DCC/Sound
• ESU LokSound sound technology
• Digital locomotive control and integrated sound operation
• Realistic diesel engine, horn, and bell sound capabilities
• 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

Build a Modern Canadian National Freight Locomotive Fleet

The Kato Canadian National ES44AC #2828 DCC/Sound locomotive is an excellent choice for model railroaders recreating contemporary CN freight operations throughout 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 #2828 with the Kato Canadian National ES44AC #2816 DCC/Sound Locomotive to recreate the multiple-unit diesel consists commonly used on heavy North American freight trains.

Compatible DCC-equipped locomotives can be configured for coordinated multiple-unit operation using appropriate decoder settings and DCC system functions.

Explore More Kato N Scale GEVO Locomotives

Expand your modern diesel 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 #2828? Explore the Kato CN #2828 ES44AC DC Locomotive or the Kato CN #2828 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: 176-8970-S
• Fusion Scale Hobbies SKU: KAT1768970S
• Scale: N Scale (1:160)
• Railroad: Canadian National Railway (CN)
• Road Number: 2828
• 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
• Sound Technology: ESU LokSound
• 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 176-8970-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 #2828 ES44AC require a separate sound decoder installation?

No. The 176-8970-S configuration comes factory equipped with DCC/Sound, so a separate sound decoder and speaker installation is not required.

What sound technology does Kato use for the CN #2828 DCC/Sound locomotive?

The sound-equipped configuration uses ESU LokSound technology to provide digitally controlled locomotive sound effects.

What is the difference between Kato 176-8970, 176-8970-DCC, and 176-8970-S?

The 176-8970 is the standard DC version with a DCC-ready mechanism. The 176-8970-DCC includes factory-installed DCC without sound. The 176-8970-S includes factory-installed DCC/Sound. All three versions represent Canadian National GE ES44AC locomotive #2828.

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 Canadian National #2816?

Yes. The Kato CN #2828 and CN #2816 DCC/Sound locomotives can be configured for multiple-unit operation using compatible DCC systems and appropriate decoder settings.

What scale is Kato 176-8970-S?

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