KATO USA
Precision Railroad Models
Prototype Information
Nippon Sharyo Gallery Bi-Level Cars:
The modern Nippon Sharyo-built Gallery Bi-Level is based off of the same concept as the original Santa Fe El Capitan Bi-level design concept, whose success went on to inspire such double decker cars as Amtraks Superliners and the Bombardier Bi-Level car which is also used in commuter service. Today, gallery Bi-Level cars such as those used by the Chicago Metra commuter service can be seen operating in several states across the United States, such as Virginia and California.
Pullman Gallery Bi-Level Cars:
The Bi-Level “Gallery” commuter car continues to be a favorite design of many commuter rail agencies throughout the United States and Canada, and is still in use today on the Chicago Metra in many of their commuter operations, seen running alongside the more modern Nippon Sharyo cars. The design made its debut on the Chicago & North Western railroad for their Chicago area commuter service in the 1950s.
Detail Photos; click for higher resolution images
Pre-Production Sample of Pullman 4-Window Coach
Pre-Production Sample of Pullman 4-Window Coach
Pre-Production Sample of Pullman Cab-Coach
Pre-Production Sample of Pullman Cab-Coach
Nippon Sharyo Chicago Metra Cab-Coach
Nippon Sharyo Chicago Metra Coach
Front views of both the Metra Locomotive and Nippon Sharyo Cab-Coach
Cab Coach comparison between the Metra and VRE, showing the VRE's printed numberboards.
Nippon Sharyo VRE Bi-Level Cab Coach
Nippon Sharyo VRE Bi-Level Coach
Front views of both the VRE Locomotive and Nippon Sharyo Cab-Coach
Coach comparison between the Metra and VRE, showing the unique signboard arrangements
Videos:
Watch the Chicago Metra MP36PH and Nippon Sharyo Bi-Levels in action in this feature video on youtube – click the image to the left to open the video in a new window!
Following the release of the Metra MP36PH and Bi-Levels, Kato USA announces the Virginia Railway Express (which offers commuter service in and out of Washington D.C. to the Virginia suburbs), with fully remolded shell details to match the prototype specifications of the VRE. To see the feature video for these VRE sets on youtube, click the image to the left to open the video in a new window!
Available Releases
item #
Description
Msrp
item #
Description
N MP36PH Chicago METRA Gallery Bi-Level Commuter Train “Starter Series” 4-Car Set*
Includes:
1 x MP36PH Locomotive Chicago Metra #427
1 x Gallery Bi-Level Coach Chicago Metra #6070
1 x Gallery Bi-Level Coach Chicago Metra #6153
1 x Gallery Bi-Level Cab-Coach Chicago Metra #8507
Msrp
$200
item #
106-8701-DCC
Description
| N MP36PH Chicago METRA Gallery Bi-Level Commuter Train “Starter Series” 4-Car Set* w/ Pre-Installed DCC |
Msrp
$305
item #
Description
N Chicago METRA Gallery Bi-Level Commuter Train 3-Car Set (2021 Release)*
Includes:
1 x Nippon Sharyo Gallery Bi-Level Coach Chicago Metra #6078
1 x Nippon Sharyo Gallery Bi-Level Coach Chicago Metra #6189
1 x Nippon Sharyo Gallery Bi-Level Cab-Coach Chicago Metra #8524
Msrp
$100
item #
Description
N MP36PH Virginia Railway Express Gallery Bi-Level Commuter Train “Starter Series” 4-Car Set**
Includes:
1 x MP36PH Locomotive Virginia Railway Express #V53
1 x Nippon Sharyo Gallery Bi-Level Coach Virginia Railway Express #V808
1 x Nippon Sharyo Gallery Bi-Level Coach Virginia Railway Express #V819
1 x Nippon Sharyo Gallery Bi-Level Cab-Coach Virginia Railway Express #V712
Msrp
$185
item #
Description
N Virginia Railway Express Gallery Bi-Level Commuter Train 3-Car Set**
Includes:
1 x Nippon Sharyo Gallery Bi-Level Coach Virginia Railway Express #V807
1 x Nippon Sharyo Gallery Bi-Level Coach Virginia Railway Express #V800
1 x Nippon Sharyo Gallery Bi-Level Cab-Coach Virginia Railway Express #V710
Msrp
$100
item #
Description
| N Nippon Sharyo Gallery Bi-Level Coach Virginia Railway Express #V812** |
Msrp
$30
item #
Description
| N Nippon Sharyo Gallery Bi-Level Coach Virginia Railway Express #V818** |
Msrp
$30
item #
Description
| N Nippon Sharyo Gallery Bi-Level Cab-Coach Virginia Railway Express #V716** |
Msrp
$40
item #
Description
| N Nippon Sharyo Gallery Bi-Level Cab-Coach Chicago Metra #8593* |
Msrp
$40
*Chicago RTA Licensed Products. **VRE Licensed Products
*** Pricing is estimated and subject to change upon release
