Hobby Center KATOs European Models

[chadbag]

 

Got an interesting email today from Hobby Center KATO.  It listed some updates and new items or restock or whatever.  But in the lower left was a picture of a Vectron.  So I went looking and found this:

 

https://www.e-katomodels2.com/shop/c/c10010111/

 

This is a bunch of Euro models they're selling on the online shop.   But they don't say who is making them.  Part way down you find the KATO RhB stuff and the ICE 4 and the various TGV and other Euro HSR KATO makes, and at the end there are some Swiss locomotives and NOHAB loks that I think are KATO made as I've seen them at other shops under the KATO brand.

 

But the Taurus and other stuff including passenger wagons and other rail cars at the top it doesn't say who makes them and I don't think they're KATO products...   They do show one Modelbahn Union/DM-Toys specialty item -- the Lufthansa Express DB 403 (ET 403).  That one is specifically marked "Not a KATO product" though that is missing from all the Taurus and other stuff up above.  I'me guessing from the looks of it it is Hobbytrain (Lemke) stuff.

 

 

[kusojiji]

I believe Kato does produce european models.

 

https://traintrax.co.uk/kato-europe-gauge-c-36-html?_gl=1*1tth9lf*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTI2NDE0NTI4OS4xNzQ1MzEyMTk3*_ga_P651J55XY0*MTc0NTMxMjE5Ni4xLjAuMTc0NTMxMjE5Ni4wLjAuMA..

 

I wish they would make UK and German steamers.

[Little-Kinder]

I didn't see any TGV beside the Ouigo 😢 .

 

But yeah I don't think it's all kato stuff what we see in your link.

 

Edited April 22 by Little-Kinder

[Kamome]

I think many of the European models that Kato carry are by Hobbytrain. Is it part of Lemke?

They do sell this stock through the HCK shop but some other retailers carry them too. Tam Tam had a select few items whereas Joshin Kidsland had a large offering. Imon carry a fair bit of it too. Not all that the above carry was Hobbytrain but I would assume as Kato have the relationship, those items would come through them.  

Edited April 23 by Kamome

[kusojiji]

I'm thinking they are all Kato. I did find this about Kato, Hobbytrain, and Lemke. https://www.tee-usa.com/store/kato-catalog-new.html

Seems Kato has a relationship with Lemke as they did with Atlas, Con Cor, and others a while back and Peco now with the 009 series.

 

I ran a quick test and clicked a heart on one of the diesels on the first page and then clicked on the Kato German, Swiss link and the heart showed up there on the same loco, so it seems the first two links are filters. I am not very familiar with these areas, so don't know what I'm looking at really.

 

Also, found some of these models on Kato's on-line shop page. https://www.e-katomodels2.com/shop/c/c10010111/ (use microsoft edge to view as it can automatically translate it).

 

I am just very glad and sad at the same time that they didn't list any trams. I really like the European trams but I can't afford to start going down that rabbit hole right now haha

 

 

 

[kusojiji]

On 4/12/2025 at 12:54 PM, chadbag said:

That one is specifically marked "Not a KATO product"

I think that's the key. They specifically state it. They state that on their Thomas line as that's Bachmann.

[chadbag]

11 hours ago, kusojiji said:

I think that's the key. They specifically state it. They state that on their Thomas line as that's Bachmann.

There are a bunch though that don't say that that I could see that I don't think are KATO products.  For example, this one:

 

https://www.e-katomodels2.com/shop/g/g05102739/

 

That looks a lot like this one:

 

https://www.modellbahnshop-lippe.com/Electric+Locomotive/Electric+Locomotive/Hobbytrain-H2739S/gb/modell_411941.html

 

That's a Hobbytrain locomotive, not a KATO one.  Lemke distributes some KATO in Europe and Lemke is also the Hobbytrain distributor (but they're definitely not made by KATO).  Notice how the Lippe listing doesn't mention KATO at all.  (I own a bunch of Hobbytrain locomotives so I can say I am 100% sure they're not made by KATO).

 

I have no problem with KATO selling Hobbytrain.  But they should really say "Not a KATO product" and say it is a "Hobbytrain" product.

 

Now, KATO does make some European stuff.  Besides the Rhätische Bahn stuff, there are some Swiss locomotives like Re460 locos I think (I am not an expert on Swiss stuff though I have some).  I almost bought one with the Banana on it when I was in Osaka last time and it was definitely in a KATO box and the mechanism looked KATO.

 

And there is all the ICE/TGV/Birtish HSR stuff etc.  And there appears to be a few German and Swiss things and some MOHAB etc.,  otherwise. 

 

https://www.modellbahn-kramm.com/sc/20/c/69/pg/27?lang=de

 

[Little-Kinder]

13 hours ago, kusojiji said:

I'm thinking they are all Kato. I did find this about Kato, Hobbytrain, and Lemke. https://www.tee-usa.com/store/kato-catalog-new.html

Seems Kato has a relationship with Lemke as they did with Atlas, Con Cor, and others a while back and Peco now with the 009 series.

 

I ran a quick test and clicked a heart on one of the diesels on the first page and then clicked on the Kato German, Swiss link and the heart showed up there on the same loco, so it seems the first two links are filters. I am not very familiar with these areas, so don't know what I'm looking at really.

 

Also, found some of these models on Kato's on-line shop page. https://www.e-katomodels2.com/shop/c/c10010111/ (use microsoft edge to view as it can automatically translate it).

 

I am just very glad and sad at the same time that they didn't list any trams. I really like the European trams but I can't afford to start going down that rabbit hole right now haha

 

 

 

Tomytec has some btw

https://www.plazajapan.com/4543736301561/ (no motor you need to buy it)

[kusojiji]

That's cool. Have you taken apart any of the ones that are listed as Kato/Hobbytrain/Lemke and compared the mechanism to one that was built before? I am wondering if Kato built the drive and Lemke did the body shell? Again, I don't know what the relationship is. Kato mechanisms seem to follow a pattern, which lowers production costs. They make a lot of vehicles that look similar, which lends itself to the European market. Steamers... I hope they start.

 

Now, an omission of info on a website doesn't mean that another party wasn't involved either. I would never have known that Kato made Atlas stuff until I found out through other channels. Just that the Kato site seems to provide specific info such as for the OO9 stuff with Peco:

--The use of a coreless motor realizes smooth and stable running unique to KATO's steamer products. With traction tires, 3 passenger cars (PECO products) can be towed on a flat section

 

Thanks for the link. I'll have to go look through the Tomytec line now. I can't order from Plaza Japan as they don't sell within Japan.

Edited April 24 by kusojiji

[chadbag]

2 hours ago, kusojiji said:

That's cool. Have you taken apart any of the ones that are listed as Kato/Hobbytrain/Lemke and compared the mechanism to one that was built before? I am wondering if Kato built the drive and Lemke did the body shell? Again, I don't know what the relationship is. Kato mechanisms seem to follow a pattern, which lowers production costs. They make a lot of vehicles that look similar, which lends itself to the European market. Steamers... I hope they start.

 

 

 

As I said, I am 100% sure that KATO does not make the mechanisms of any of the Hobbytrain stuff I have.  It is a totally different mechanism.  I read once that a contract company in Korea, sometimes identified as Ajin Precision, which is known for H0 brass models and stuff, was making the Hobbytrain stuff.  But I cannot find that now.  I found it online when I got my first Hobbytrain locomotive in 2018.  The reference has disappeared.  Old archived posts on this form claim that at least some Hobbytrain was made by KATO (posts from 2008).  I personally think that is not true and that people were confused because Lemke was distributing both KATO and Hobbytrain and Lemke is often called Lemke/KATO.   While most of my Hobbytrain is newer (got my first in 2018 and have bought several since up through a couple years ago -- none of them look like KATO at all), I do have one or two used ones I bought on eBay in Germany and had them sent to me. Models that are discontinued. I don't know how old they are but they also don't look like anything KATO either (and I have some older KATO Japanese stuff I've bought used).

 

What makes this all the more confusing, is, as we know, that KATO does make some European prototype stuff besides the high speed rail TGV and ICE and British stuff, and besides the Rhätische Bahn narrow gauge Swiss stuff. They have some older German and a bunch of Swiss locomotives sold under the KATO name and in KATO boxes and with KATO cart numbers it appears (from the Kramm link above).

 

Anyway, I just found the original store link interesting.   I'll be in Japan in 4 weeks but unfortunately don't have any budget at the moment.  I'd like to get a few of these KATO Swiss locomotives and wagons.

 

 

[kusojiji]

Doing all this research has tweaked my interest in some of these models. Dang! And I had just started in the UK market! More cup-o-noodles I guess haha.

[kusojiji]

I just noticed that the comparison example you provided above, that model is very expensive on the Kato site. To me, that may suggest that it is an import. The site doesn't give any info on the model.

 

And then you see the Alpine loco for 9900 yen... which interests me with the 4 car set. 

[chadbag]

11 minutes ago, kusojiji said:

I just noticed that the comparison example you provided above, that model is very expensive on the Kato site. To me, that may suggest that it is an import. The site doesn't give any info on the model.

 

And then you see the Alpine loco for 9900 yen... which interests me with the 4 car set. 

 

The RhB stuff (Alpine loco) is very good stuff.  They have a bunch of both Ge4/4-II and Ge4/4-III locos and appropriate wagons plus some freight etc. It's an addictive sub-category.  I've gotten a couple each of various liveried Ge4/4-II and -III.

 

What's "frustrating" is that KATO has made some locomotives with special liveries that are not sold by KATO but are exclusives to European distributors.  Which means They are hard to get, sell out, and are expensive.  I don't have any of those but there are some I've lusted after.

 

Most people I know, either in Japan or N America (at least pre-tariff non-sense) order the Lemke/Hobbytrain stuff from Germany from places like Modellbahnshop Lippe https://www.modellbahnshop-lippe.com/index.asp?l=gb or Modellbahn Kramm (see my post above) or similar places.  They are typically with a reasonable discount plus no VAT (though depending on where you are you may get hit with local taxes and duties).

 

Depending on where you are located there are also N American based shops that have some.  Not as extensive and of course imported so more expensive.  But if you just want one it's often easier and better to buy locally.   At least in my experience and calculations, importing from Germany makes the most sense when you can import several items at once -- a box full of stuff -- since the freight costs/postage are spread out over more items. The first pound / X00 grams of weight are the most expensive but adding in extra weight doesn't increase the freight that m much, compared to the first pound.

 

And for what it's worth, I'm USA based and almost all my KATO Rhätische Bahn stuff I got from Japan.  Only one set did I get from a N American distributor on eBay. It was a starter set with train and track and a power pack and though it was more expensive by a long shot compared to the best price I had in Japan, because of its size the shipping from Japan got expensive...

 

[chadbag]

In fact here are two of mine.  A Ge4/4-II (the Hakone Tozan sister railway livery) and a Ge4/4-III (the red one on the track).  This is my simple loop I am using to test some DCC code I am writing.  Just happened to be using these so I am posting to get your palms itchy and wallet out..  😜

 

[kusojiji]

1 hour ago, chadbag said:

I am posting to get your palms itchy and wallet out..  😜

Ouch what a meanie! haha

 

When I buy from the UK, they remove the VAT. Rails already has it removed when I get there. Others like Kernow and Olivias do it at the register, so I have to keep that in mind when I cost compare (x .83).  Shipping is cheap as compared to the US and faster from what I have been seeing. USPS sends the stuff all over the country before it finally gets into the air. Royal mail - get it, process it, in the air.

 

I took a look at the modelbahn site and you have to know what you are looking for beforehand. I am not familiar with that market so it'll take time to go through.

 

Aarghh!! those look good! I'll probably be getting it direct from Kato unless the jungle site is cheaper. I'm in Japan so shipping is cheaper yet.

 

[chadbag]

12 hours ago, kusojiji said:

Ouch what a meanie! haha

 

When I buy from the UK, they remove the VAT. Rails already has it removed when I get there. Others like Kernow and Olivias do it at the register, so I have to keep that in mind when I cost compare (x .83).  Shipping is cheap as compared to the US and faster from what I have been seeing. USPS sends the stuff all over the country before it finally gets into the air. Royal mail - get it, process it, in the air.

 

I took a look at the modelbahn site and you have to know what you are looking for beforehand. I am not familiar with that market so it'll take time to go through.

 

Aarghh!! those look good! I'll probably be getting it direct from Kato unless the jungle site is cheaper. I'm in Japan so shipping is cheaper yet.

 

there are shops that carry Euro models in Japan. And probably cheaper than directly from KATO.   I’ve seen them in a few shops and have seen lists and websites for euro rail models located in Japan.  

[kusojiji]

Cool, will start looking. Thanks!

[DD13]

On 4/23/2025 at 11:52 PM, chadbag said:

https://www.modellbahnshop-lippe.com/Electric+Locomotive/Electric+Locomotive/Hobbytrain-H2739S/gb/modell_411941.html

 

That's a Hobbytrain locomotive, not a KATO one.  Lemke distributes some KATO in Europe and Lemke is also the Hobbytrain distributor (but they're definitely not made by KATO).  Notice how the Lippe listing doesn't mention KATO at all.  (I own a bunch of Hobbytrain locomotives so I can say I am 100% sure they're not made by KATO).

 

I have no problem with KATO selling Hobbytrain.  But they should really say "Not a KATO product" and say it is a "Hobbytrain" product.

Hobbytrain locomotives are so light weight that run erratically. Imho. 

Edited May 2 by disturbman

[Section31]

@kusojiji Even as person coming back into the hobby, its tough to read the catalogue. And i started off by placing an order off Khaho for SBB Vectron. Kind of got the hang of it now using the official lemke site and modelshoppe Lippe. Some items are just hard to compare when they are purely 0 dollar preorders atm. I just am watching for items i want which is the DB Stadler Kiss 4 Unit and some interest in the OBB Railjet Siemens one. I am curious myself how much that Hobbytrain H25302S and H25304S end up costing in Asia. 

[Section31]

How is the GE4/4-II. I bought it on an whim before i did more research and kind of thinking of not going through with the preorder(lose the down deposit). Kind of prefer other trains and that train itself is being replaced by an stadler rail one i read.

[chadbag]

I like my KATO Ge4/4-Ii. I have two different ones. They run fine and look good if that’s your thing.

Edited May 2 by disturbman
unnecessary quote, answering previous message

[Section31]

@chadbag Thats good to hear. I probably will replace them anyway once the new stadler rail version comes out which will be a while.

[kusojiji]

So, I was provided a few places to go shopping at. Hobbyland Pochi had the 4 car Bernina Express set from Kato listed as A grade used for 5000 yen... Dang it! It is on its way to me now.

 

Now, I need to go find the loco for it.

 

See what you made me do! haha

[kusojiji]

Well, it seems that the loco is hard to find out here. Will probably be buying straight from the Kato online store.

[kusojiji]

Received about 20 minutes ago. Wow, this is tiny! Didn't expect that. It is awesome! Need to figure out the coupler system, though. Want to replace it with knuckles so that I can pull it around with a steamer or maybe even a UP C44-9W haha.