Kato 176-8438-DCC | EMD SD70ACe DCC - Union Pacific #8497 Flag | N Scale

Run modern Union Pacific freight power on your N scale layout, ready for DCC right out of the box. This Kato EMD SD70ACe wears UP's distinctive "Flag Scheme" with the Building America logo as #8497 — one of the road numbers UP picked to commemorate the 2005 Chicago & North Western merger anniversary. The SD70ACe is the latest evolution of EMD's "70" series — a 4,300-horsepower AC-traction freight workhorse that's been on the front of UP intermodals, coal trains, and merchandise consists since 2004.

This is the factory DCC-equipped version (-DCC suffix). The Kato decoder is pre-installed and tuned for smooth running — drop it on DCC track and it's ready to go. Kato's hallmark engineering is all here: a five-pole motor with dual flywheels, all-wheel drive and pickup, directional LED headlights and number-board lighting, blackened low-profile wheels for Code 55 or larger rail, and Kato's body-mounted magnetic-knuckle couplers.

Looking for more N scale locomotives? Browse our N Scale Trains & Track and Locomotives.

• Highly detailed body shell with prototype-accurate UP "Flag Scheme" / Building America logo as #8497
• Factory-installed Kato DCC decoder — runs on DCC track straight from the box
• Five-pole motor with dual brass flywheels — smooth, quiet, low-speed-friendly running
• All-wheel drive and all-wheel electrical pickup
• Directional LED headlights and number-board lighting (DCC-controlled)
• Blackened, low-profile wheels for Code 55, Code 70, or Code 80 rail
• Kato magnetic-knuckle couplers, body-mounted
• Scale: N (1:160), Wheel arrangement: Co-Co (6-axle)

Is the DCC decoder pre-installed?
Yes. The "-DCC" suffix indicates Kato's factory-installed DCC decoder. Drop it on DCC track and it runs.

Does it have sound?
No, this is the DCC-only version (no sound). For sound, you'd need the -LS variant or aftermarket sound install.

Will it run on Code 55 track?
Yes. The wheels are low-profile and blackened, so they roll cleanly on Code 55, Code 70, and Code 80 rail.

What's the difference between SD70ACe and SD70M?
The SD70ACe (this model) uses AC traction motors with a single inverter per truck — smoother low-speed lugging on heavy trains. The earlier SD70M used DC traction. Most Class I roads have moved to AC for new heavy freight units.