Kato USA has announced a fresh N scale California Zephyr package built around a 4-unit starter series set and an 8-car add-on, plus matching D&RGW and WP motive power.
The CB&Q E8A 4-unit starter (106-058, $190) includes CB&Q E8A #9940A, CB&Q dome coach #4722 “Silver Stirrup,” D&RGW 10-6 sleeper #1133 “Silver Creek,” and WP dome observation #882 “Silver Planet.” The 8-car add-on (106-059, $250) fills out the consist with CB&Q baggage “Silver Buffalo,” WP dome coaches “Silver Schooner” and “Silver Palace,” WP dome buffet lounge “Silver Hostel,” CB&Q and WP 10-6 sleepers “Silver Butte” and “Silver Arroyo,” WP diner “Silver Plate,” and WP 16-section sleeper “Silver Palm.” Kato notes the starter plus add-on rebuild the classic 11-car CZ set. Cars use Kato magnetic knuckle couplers and shock-absorber trucks; interiors light with the optional 11-211/212 white LED kits.
Motive power covers the middle and western legs: a D&RGW PA-1/PB-1 set (106-0506, $200) in the Aspen Gold four-stripe scheme, and a WP F3A/F3B set #801/801B (106-0307, $190). Both locomotive sets list DCC-friendly mechanisms, magnetic knuckle couplers, and five-pole drives; the PA set adds illuminated numberboards. DCC and sound versions are also listed on the California Zephyr hub.
Kato shows the starter, add-on, and PA-1/PB-1 sets arriving February 2027, with the WP F3 set arriving November 2027. Pre-orders are through hobby retailers.
