Kato - New Releases

[wingedwheel]

On 8/17/2024 at 1:53 AM, Kamome said:

Also releasing a turn table kit that uses their existing N scale turn table and fits over the top. 

I'm really intrigued by the HO Unitrack turntable here. Haven't been able to find any more info on it myself. Shot in the dark, but did you happen to hear any details about release date/price when you saw it?

 

It's also my understanding that the 2025 tooling D51 doesn't have any DCC capability (being meant to use Kato's soundcard system). Would you know if that's accurate? It would be incredibly strange considering the older ones (Kato 1-202) had an 8-pin socket in the tender.

[Kamome]

At the JAM event I didn’t ask about a specific release date. As it’s a laser cut kit to position over their existing n scale turntable, there obviously maybe some refinements before it’s released. Couldn’t properly see the tooling for the uni track parts necessary nor how it connects electrically to the turntable. It also wasn’t clear what the initial kit will include but I’d imagine we can expect it by Q2-3 in 2025.

 

As for the D51, it’s unclear whether they’re using the existing chassis as a starting point or it’s an all new design. Kato certainly appears to be moving away from 8 pin sockets in their newer releases which to be fair, are a bit old compared to most newer locos in overseas markets. Domestic DCC market is still limited although I would suggest the majority of interest exists in the HO market. Kato’s designs have been moving away from DCC in favour of DC sound options that compliment their soundbox so we may see this for the D51 also. 

 

 

[Kamome]

New Posters for April\May have now been uploaded to the Kao website.  

 

HO Mani 60 and 61 are a welcome and mildly irritating announcement after I finally got my Nippon Seimitsu version up to spec. 

 

Also quite interested in the Shikoku limestone train with double heading DF50s

 

https://www.katomodels.com/posters

[disturbman]

As a side note for the Yuros of the forum, the VT18/BR175 are under an export ban to Europe. The sets will be sold as Lemke exclusive and can only be gotten locally.

Edited December 10, 2024 by disturbman

[Martijn Meerts]

1 hour ago, disturbman said:

As a side note for the Yuros of the forum, the VT18/BR175 are under an export ban to Europe. The sets will be sold as Lemke exclusive and can only be gotten locally.

 

No doubt with a Lemke exclusive price tag ...

[Kamome]

Didn’t Kato make an HO version of the VT18 at some point or did I dream that?

[disturbman]

They did. It's also scheduled for re-release. I saw an handout of sort with a date announced for May iirc.

[Steve]

When I saw the announements, I was hopping for a Passenger Train Set with brown Pre-War Suha 32/33/34/35 Cars in N...

 

 

[bc6]

Heres a video on the new HO D51 steam locomotive.

 

[Welshbloke]

On 12/10/2024 at 8:35 AM, disturbman said:

As a side note for the Yuros of the forum, the VT18/BR175 are under an export ban to Europe. The sets will be sold as Lemke exclusive and can only be gotten locally.

The re-released Glacier Express and Ge 4/4 III are the same. Hopefully this won't be the norm for the RhB range now as the "official" importers charge a frankly obscene mark-up.

[disturbman]

It'll be the new norm.

I had high-ish hopes for the new Kato Europe A/S, to at least see a renewed interest into European trains, but so far, it's turning out to be a sad money grab from Kato's European partners.

Edited December 27, 2024 by disturbman

[katoftw]

It's happening more and more wirh licensing agreements.  But there's always someone in Japan willing to take your yen.

[disturbman]

No, afaik, this is different than the licensing agreements. The licences can still be circumvented by a friendly "don't ask questions" shop, nobody will care, but the export ban cannot without consequences for the exporter if they are caught. The only work around at the moment is to use a proxy service.

[Welshbloke]

Hobbysearch are accepting orders for the assy parts, if I thought they wouldn't cancel them once the loophole is spotted I'd go that route. As it is, I'm more inclined to vote with my wallet and not reward protectionist nonsense.

[tripel7]

Finally: 

 

[Ekiben]

Only a few months after MicroAce went and announced an upcoming run of the JR Shikoku Series 8000 Shiokaze/Ishizuchi set, Kato has followed up with its own offering: five-car Shiokaze and three-car Ishizuchi sets in the present-day colours as well as an eight-car version in the train's original pre-2003 livery. I've already reserved the MicroAce versions, but these Kato units look to be very well made. The original colour scheme is seriously tempting me. Release dates are set for April and June, so there's still time to think it over.

 

https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/11157485

 

I've also gone and reserved Kato's new DF50 (https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/11150282). I gather these used to be doubled up to haul limestone primarily out of Kochi Prefecture, but there are some classic videos of these travelling around Shikoku as single units hauling all manner of goods. At just over 16 metres the DF50 is pretty much exactly the same length as a Kiha 32, so I'm pretty confident the engine will handle the compact curves I plan to use in a micro layout I plan to build within the next few months. 

[disturbman]

This was for sure quite the unexpected turn of events. We don't often get a manufacturer announcing a new model after the original maker announced a new production run.
 

4 hours ago, Ekiben said:

Kato has followed up with its own offering: five-car Shiokaze and three-car Ishizuchi sets in the present-day colours

Actually, this is not the present-day livery anymore. These units have been repainted in a paint scheme inspired by the livery of the 8600 series--which I would have much rather have seen announced, rather than getting a competing 8000.

[Ekiben]

18 hours ago, disturbman said:

Actually, this is not the present-day livery anymore.

 

You're absolutely right @disturbman. Thanks for clarifying. I'd read the 8000 got a new paint job in 2023, but didn't notice anything different when I was on Shikoku in April 2024. I somehow managed to ride mainly Anpanman trains and a Version 2 scheme that was probably still waiting for a spot in the shop. I looked through my photos and was surprised to find a snapshot of an 8000 with the latest colours. Hadn't noticed it before as the pic was taken while I was zooming past in another 8000. I really like the new look. Now we'll have to wait and see which manufacturer will be the first to release a version with the new colours. Might happen sooner that we expect!

 

A quick glimpse of the 8000 Series' latest livery snapped while travelling through the Kagawa countryside.

 

Edited 15 hours ago by Ekiben