Kato announce new tram

[Bernard]

Rick - Thanks great details in your links. The Tomytec photos show scenes of their tram where you can see through the windows I thought you couldn't because of the design of their chassis. Both trams are becoming quite popular and fast I'm glad I got mine on pre-order.

[Hobby Dreamer]

Yep, once focused I cannot stop...

 

Here is a great photo of the interior of the Kato Portram:

http://74.125.91.132/translate_c?hl=en&sl=ja&u=http://traintrain.jp/image/viewer/id/728542&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dunitram%2Bkato%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26hs%3Dlfw%26sa%3DN%26start%3D10&rurl=translate.google.ca&usg=ALkJrhhxLboZFbFl0evgeL1hZh21auhJWg

 

Here are 2 videos of the trams in action - basically videos of stills linked earlier.

http://translate.google.ca/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&u=http://traintrain.jp/blog/detail/id/44725&ei=ZBCPSvvwE8PSlAeBn5icDA&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=3&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dunitram%2Bkato%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26hs%3Dlfw%26sa%3DN%26start%3D10

 

A nice photo of the tram and track

http://74.125.91.132/translate_c?hl=en&sl=ja&u=http://traintrain.jp/image/viewer/id/729921&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dunitram%2Bkato%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26hs%3Dlfw%26sa%3DN%26start%3D10&rurl=translate.google.ca&usg=ALkJrhh043b5gvliCeRU-up_wis5mxyy6A

 

The tram platform (I guess passengers can never leave this island)

http://74.125.91.132/translate_c?hl=en&sl=ja&u=http://traintrain.jp/image/viewer/id/729970&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dunitram%2Bkato%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26hs%3Dlfw%26sa%3DN%26start%3D10&rurl=translate.google.ca&usg=ALkJrhhsaYz8QjSR6zC5h5yf0hicG8SFmA

 

Another photo

http://img.joshinweb.jp/emall/img/sm/JSN_C00001/large/49/49727/4949727148014.jpg

 

http://img.joshinweb.jp/emall/img/sm/JSN_C00001/large/49/49727/4949727148015.jpg

 

Taking preorders

http://74.125.115.132/translate_c?hl=en&sl=ja&u=http://joshinweb.jp/train/2990/4949727040900.html%3FACK%3DBLG006126%26CKV%3D4949727040900&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dunitram%2Bkato%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26sa%3DN%26start%3D30&rurl=translate.google.ca&usg=ALkJrhjSm-xJq-S8_ihrFZVNTUIMNRgTsQ

 

I was thinking about becoming a homicidal maniac; but Kato is giving me the will to live....

[Gordon Werner]

these trams look more and more awesome ... (the track sets too)

[Bernard]

Rick - Thanks for the pre-order link. The photo of the tram w/people is great.

[bill937ca]

Let's just see how Kato handles the demand.  Kato is a family firm and the plan comes before market demand. Having a reservation may not be guarantee of getting the item.  Kato has been known to short fill orders on high demand items before.

[Bernard]

Let's just see how Kato handles the demand.  Kato is a family firm and the plan comes before market demand. Having a reservation may not be guarantee of getting the item.  Kato has been known to short fill orders on high demand items before.

 

Just looking at the response from this thread it looks like it will be in high demand and that's not counting the Japanese consumer.

[Martijn Meerts]

Kato's tram track definitely looks better, but the advantage Tomix has is that their sets can be used with regular track and is real easy to cut to certain lengths etc.

 

Although, judging by the pictures, if/when I start building some track tracks, I'll be going for the Kato track.

[Hobby Dreamer]

As for a tram layout, you could think of making a point to point layout, which would require less space than an oval. And if you're thinking of using DCC and possibly the ability to hook up the layout to the computer, you can get some really nice running on a relatively small space.

 

Thanks again Martijn,

 

I like the idea of computer control/DCC and your point to point layout is a great idea to start a layout with. Ever since I first came to this forum and saw some of the high-speed trains I have been thinking about running some track on a shelf!

 

I appreciate your willingness to help a newbie out!

 

Rick

[Hobby Dreamer]

Here is another video of the Kato Portrams - I mean who can get tired of these?

 

 

Cheers

[Gordon Werner]

just got my Red, Purple, and Green Tomytec trams ... they are very nice and will work well as dummys sitting in the yard when the Kato's arrive.

[Guest ___]

http://wiki.jnsforum.com/wiki/Toyama_Light_Rail_Toyamak%C5%8D_Line

 

Feel free to update.

[Bernard]

just got my Red, Purple, and Green Tomytec trams ... they are very nice and will work well as dummys sitting in the yard when the Kato's arrive.

 

Gordon - Photos, photos.....please.

[bill937ca]

just got my Red, Purple, and Green Tomytec trams ... they are very nice and will work well as dummys sitting in the yard when the Kato's arrive.

 

Gordon - Photos, photos.....please.

 

I think Gordon is referring to the Tomytec Portrams.  Kato will get around to it when they get around to it.

[to2leo]

I thought the same thing too.

 

Maybe we should combine all three of the Tomytec Tram threads in one.

[Guest ___]

I deliberately split the thread a part becasue there were way to many side conversations going on and following them all had become overly difficult.

 

I believe there were 5 threads.