PRE-ORDER: Kato 106-0506 - ALCo PA-1 + PB-1 (DC Silent) Denver & Rio Grande Western (D&RGW) - N Scale

Pre-Order Due Date:  Sept 30 2026 3pm CST

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Pre-Order FAQ

Most manufacturers give an ETA on when they expect to release the pre-order which can be seen near the "add to cart" button on the product page. They also give an order due date (found in the product description) which is indicative of when the product is expected to go into production.

There is a 5% NON-refundable deposit for preorders, this amount will be deducted from the price of the product when it arrives. You will see how much downpayment is required after adding the item to your cart. We do not store your payment information and it is not charged by us when the product arrives.

For any pre-order submitted after the due date, we will try our best to fulfill your pre-order, but are at the mercy of the manufacturer and if they produce more than were preordered by their dealers. If we cannot fulfill your pre-order we will credit the 5% deposit to you.

When the pre-ordered product(s) are available to ship, you will receive an email requesting the remaining 95% payment that will take you to your cart. It is at this point you are asked for shipping address and method OR in-store pickup.. We will never charge your payment method without you checking out. At this time you are also able to add other in-stock items if you wish.

Please note that Estimated Arrival Dates can change at any point. Midwest Model Railroad is not responsible for manufacturers delaying production. Visit midwestmodelrr.com/pre-orders/ for more information.

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Prototype Information:

Introduced as ALCO’s first purpose-built passenger locomotive, the PA-1 was designed to compete directly with EMD’s successful E-Unit series. Built in Schenectady, New York, in partnership with General Electric, the PA series was produced between 1946 and 1953. 

The locomotive was powered by a 2,000-horsepower prime mover, the PA-1 rode on an A1A-A1A wheel arrangement that delivered 30,500 pounds of continuous tractive effort while allowing for the higher speeds demanded by passenger service. Its streamlined look gave it a futuristic appearance that appealed to railroads looking to modernize their passenger fleets. 

Although the PA-1 earned widespread praise for its striking design, its mechanical reliability proved to be its greatest weakness. The construction of the locomotive was rushed during wartime restrictions, so components like the prime mover were quick to fail during heavy use.

Model Information:

Kato’s PA-1 model represents the Alco Diesel-Electric engine as it has been ordered by Rio Grande for long distance service. This model differs from other variations with illuminated numberboards and a bright yellow paintscheme.

Model Features:

• Equipped with body mounted KATO magnetic knuckle couplers.
• Drop-in DCC Friendly Mechanism
• 5-pole motor with dual brass flywheels
• Illuminated numberboards

*Old photos used for reference only, please refer to the roadnames in the product title.