Kato has a starter set 106-6285 And also an add-on set 106-6286 https://www.some train store.com/Ka...ss-Phase-VI-4-Car-Starter-Series-Set-Amfleet/ https://www.some train store.com/ka...ewliner-intercity-express-phase-vi-3-car-set/ Are these two sets compatible? Meaning the same Amfleet cars and phase? If they are compatible, why do the sets have different part numbers for the individual cars listed? Why doesn't the coach car from one set have the same number as the other set? What individual cars does Kato sell that are compatible with the Starter Set 106-6285? Kato's website is a mess, I could not figure it out. Thanks
Yes, they are compatible and meant to go with each other. The add-on set comes in a bookcase storage binder with empty spaces for the 4 items in the starter set. They have different part numbers because the coaches have different ("road") numbers. Besides the two sets, the Phase IV baggage car is meant to go along with the set. Item #1221. https://www.katousa.com/onlineshop/...ucts_id=1780&zenid=7ds00mtq1fqksr722svj3vuj70
Phase I and II are easy to tell apart. Phase I has doors on both ends of the coaches, where phase II is single ended. I sometimes mix-match them to make a longer train, and most people that visit a show have no clue, they just like seeing the long trains rolling around the layout.
Not sure what the question is but working for Amtrak the difference in coaches was an Amfleet 1 had end side doors on both ends or an Amfleet 2 which had end side doors on only one end. Normally the phase distinction were attributed to the outside markings of the stick on scotchlite colors. There were many phases of markings on the same car.
The OP mentioned the "Phase" and I figured he was referring to the 2 versions of the Amfleet cars. Many of us modelers refer to changes in the engines as phases. I know all about how the paint schemes are also phases, and as best as I can see the current paint scheme phase is IV. I liked the scheme where the Superliners actually said "Superliner" on their sides.
Why does the Amfleet Cafe car look like it's missing a window? I have 4 + 3 windows on my Phase V Kato Amfleet Cafe car.
The Amfleet 1 (vestibules on both ends) has the window arrangement you are talking about, but it looks like the Amfleet II (one vestibule/door) has a different window arrangement. However, I think the other side of the car has the 3 + 4 window setup, at least some prototype photos show that. I don't know if the Amfleet 1 is also asymmetric like that too. On the Wikipedia page, it seems like there have been a lot of rebuilds of the cafe, dinette, lounge, and other 'non-coach' Amfleets. I'm nut sure which version this model represents, the Kato website calls it a 'coach-cafe,' but I don't know if that is a real Amtrak classification. At least for some of the cars, this window configuration is correct.
Ahhhh, Amfleet II, thanks, got it. I totally ignored the number of doors, I was too focused on the 4+2 windows. I model the west, which use Amfleet Is exclusively, so the IIs are a bit foreign to me, though ironically, the only Amfleets I've ever ridden on were the IIs while traveling out on the East Coast. I never noticed the window arrangement on the Cafe cars; I just assumed they were 4 + 3 as well.
