Kato - New Releases

[Guest Closed Account 1]

Kato 20-185 V16 WR480/447 curves and easements available. $12.92 isn't that bad when you consider that it is basically 4 curves molded into one.

 

Wish Ntrak will allow these even though track spacing is 5mm off from their rules. Still going to present the pieces to the club for another corner module option. I've seen Kato WR Double crossovers at shows.

[clem24]

Nice that's a pretty giant piece of track! Now just waiting for viaduct pieces in said radius...

[KenS]

It's great to see Kato doing more Tokyo Metro trains. The Greenmax versions are great but expensive and I like the smooth engines of Kato.

 

I haven't found the release Poster from Kato yet....

 

It will be interesting to see how this compares to Greenmax in appearance.  It's also interesting to see Kato competing head-to-head with Greenmax by introducing a model they just introduced a year and a half ago (and which was re-issued earlier this year).  That seems to suggest that they've very serious about expanding into the subway train segment of the market.

 

The sets appear on Kato's Japanese-language production schedule for December, but not yet on the English-language one.

[traindork]

Yep, I'd like to see Viaduct pieces in the larger radii, too.

I'm hoping that this year being the 40th anniversary of Amtrak, and Kato doing so much Amtrak stuff, maybe they'll do the Acela, too. I've balked at the Bachmann model.

[ToniBabelony]

KATO announced some ultra cheap 103-series 3-car sets for only 3,825¥ at HS!

 

Emerald Green http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10160380

Yellow http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10160378

Yellow Green http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10160377

Orange http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10160375

Blue http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10160374

 

Now, I'm not sure about the ride quality, since the motors aren't equipped with a flywheel unlike Tomytec power units that have flywheels. One should probably keep the tracks and wheels very clean for a good ride. I'm quite interested to see what kind of power unit it will actually be.

 

I found a preview picture of one here: http://www.miyakomokei.com/shop/image_view.html?image=008001000042.jpg

 

Looks like a good base for some projects, as it's quite cheap, provides a motor unit (KUMOHA/MOHA), two pairs of bogies, two underbodies (MOHA and KUHA/SAHA), three 20m 4-door bodies and a pantograph. Next to that; it's interior lighting prepped, but has no illuminated front and taillights.

 

Somehow it gives off a feeling that KATO is re-using pouring moulds from the eighties (like the pocket-train series) and selling off the products really really cheap. Either they're in a pinch about the success of Tomytec or they want to hop on board the cheap model train business train.

[keitaro]

For that price I don't expect the motor to be a flywheel. it costs that much for 3 seperate unpowered cars in most cases.

 

sounds like it's more of a budget line and probably trying to get rid of an excess of older power units.

[clem24]

These are probably their moulds from the late 70s or early 80s with little to no changes. Kind of neat idea to release these on the cheap, just not sure how many takers there will be. For me, I don't think price of a set has ever stopped me from buying it... 

[keitaro]

doesn't have leds for tail/head light either

[bill937ca]

These are probably their moulds from the late 70s or early 80s with little to no changes. Kind of neat idea to release these on the cheap, just not sure how many takers there will be. For me, I don't think price of a set has ever stopped me from buying it... 

 

Still I'm sure these will sell out in short time.

[Fenway Park]

Kato used to offer their old 103 EMU set in a 4 car set some years ago.  So I would suspect this could be a re-issue or rebranding. 

 

It ran well although the chassis was old. 

[Nozomi]

...and here's the release Poster:

 

Unfortunately it's not visible whats behind the steam engine (I mean the cars).

[Krackel Hopper]

Unfortunately it's not visible whats behind the steam engine (I mean the cars).

 

Behind the C62-3 is the Express Niseko.. Kato is releasing it as two 6 car sets..

 

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10160368

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10160369

 

A better picture of the C62-3 Express Niseko

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/C623_Express_Niseko.JPG/800px-C623_Express_Niseko.JPG

[Nozomi]

A better picture of the C62-3 Express Niseko

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/C623_Express_Niseko.JPG/800px-C623_Express_Niseko.JPG

 

Thanks Krackel!

I shouldn't look at steamers, I just can't afford another topic for my collection!

[IST]

...and here's the release Poster:

 

I see the 10-547, 548, 549 set on it, however these are currently available sets for example at Hobby Search. Why are these on the poster?

[keitaro]

It's a reproduction thats why. Not all items on poster are going to be new releases.

[keitaro]

HS say on their metro anyone thing this means LED built in or that you don't have to have it but you can. (very vague)

 

- The subway car is not essential for interior light, interior light Clear corresponding LED.

[keitaro]

aaaaaaand here they are http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10161105 the new lights systems looks promising

[Martijn Meerts]

It's nice that they're getting rid of the unevenness of the lighting, but 60% brighter? The current lighting (of all brands..) is already way too bright =)

[westfalen]

Unfortunately it's not visible whats behind the steam engine (I mean the cars).

 

Behind the C62-3 is the Express Niseko.. Kato is releasing it as two 6 car sets..

 

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10160368

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10160369

 

A better picture of the C62-3 Express Niseko

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/C623_Express_Niseko.JPG/800px-C623_Express_Niseko.JPG

I've posted it before but here's the video I took in 1990 to help sway you towards buying one.

[Martijn Meerts]

I have MicroAce's version of the Niseko, including 3 C62's that pulled it up the steepest grades. I'm not sure if it's 12 cars though, I seem to remember it's shorter...

[Guest Closed Account 1]

World Cup Soccer Futbol Fans!

 

ET425 Football WM Version RE 2 DB Regio Rhein Necker (Red/White/Red Ball) (4-Car Set)

 

http://www.katomodels.com/product/nmi/et425worldcup.shtml

 

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10161227

[scott]

I'm oddly relieved every time kato's new poster doesn't have anything I want. Of course, if I had half a brain, I just wouldn't look at this thread. 

[Guest Closed Account 1]

I know right.

 

I have this healthy collection of Kato bullets, steam, and new diesel and yet on show day I can't decide what to run. So I bring all of them.

[linkey]

I know right.

 

I have this healthy collection of Kato bullets, steam, and new diesel and yet on show day I can't decide what to run. So I bring all of them.

 

I've got the problem of that I have so many KATO sets and I would have to flip a coin to see which ones I want to take with me to run on the running day (show day). These can be from Shinkansens, Commuter Trains all the way to freight trains hauled by Diesel or Electric Locos. But I would need more Steam Locos tho.

[Guest Closed Account 1]

Like a woman deciding what to wear. LOL!

 

Now that I have 3 ES4400AC diesels I can run all the extra cars at the museum.

 

Maybe someone can make a train app like the urban spoon restaurant chooser app.

 

3 rolling choices:

 

Loco type, cars to haul, caboose or aft loco.

 

Shake it and itll choose for you. Yay!