Operation North Pole (ONP) is a volunteer-based public charity. ONP works with Chicago’s major children’s hospitals, providing a day of fun and fantasy for families who have a child battling a life threatening illness by hosting a fantasy trip to the North Pole. The magical experience includes, breakfast, a festive train ride to the North Pole, a visit with Santa, winter wonderland fun, entertainment, treats, personal wish list gifts, and much more! It’s ONP’s goal to provide these families an unforgettable experience amidst very challenging times.

Kato USA has partnered with Operation North Pole to bring these special Christmas Trains – replicas of the real life Christmas Trains that are operated each year – to life as a means to support ONP’s goal of spreading the magic of the holidays. To that end a portion of the proceeds from every sale of an Operation North Pole Christmas Train Set goes towards this charitable venture to help fund the chartering of this yearly train!

Each year ONP charters a special Metra train, designing special vinyl wraps that adorn both the outside and the insides of the cars. Each years’ design is unique, making each train a festive and colorful display. This train runs on the Union Pacific Northwest Line of the Chicago Metra commuter service, operating not only as a special charter train but remaining in service for a period after the Christmas Train event as rolling billboard to spread awareness of ONP and their goals.

Prototype Information:

The EMD F40PH is synonymous with the Amtrak era of American passenger trains. Although it has been retired from Amtrak service, it operated for over 20 years. It continues to be the motive power for commuter railroads all over the United States, including the Chicago Metra. Over 400 F40PH locomotives have been manufactured by EMD in various configurations.

Model Features:

• Perfectly suited to pull Kato’s Superliners or Bi-Level commuter cars
• Directional headlights
• DCC and Sound friendly with 8 pin plug and 1.1″ (28mm) speaker opening
• Illuminated pre-printed numberboards
• Powerful five pole motor with dual brass flywheels
• All wheel electrical pickup from scale 42″ blackened metal wheels
• Detail specific to each railroad, including ditch lights, cab air conditioners, fan height, headlight arrangement, pilot, rear platform, and cab roof arrangement
• Available Kato-Direct with DCC and Sound installed

Analog-Only Versions

Anticipated Delivery Date: May 2026

with Pre-Installed DCC Versions / DCC + Sound Versions

Order Due Date: October 31, 2025

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