Kato - New Releases

[JR 500系]

Interesting discussion guys! But I think we should continue this discussion to the thread: http://www.jnsforum.com/community/forum/43-hobby-shops-where-are-they/

[Das Steinkopf]

Interesting discussion guys! But I think we should continue this discussion to the thread: http://www.jnsforum.com/community/forum/43-hobby-shops-where-are-they/

I suppose your'e right this topic has become somewhat derailed, lets get back to topic about Kato releases, any word on contemporary JRF rolling stock other that the Koki 200, Koki 104 and Taki 1000 releases that we are already aware of.

[EF65 1100]

And... Kato presents you October releases:

[JR 500系]

Erh? Re-releases more like it... Fancy re-releasing an E2-1000 Hayate when most of the E2 are now running Yamabiko or Toki services (or are there any more E2 Hayates?).. The NSE was also released last December as a Legends set, so seeing it re-release now is kinda strange. Wonder where Kato is heading in this month's releases.

[Takahama Trainwatcher]

^{One possible positive (or negative, depending on how you look at it)... is it saying that the Chuo line E233 will be the "Unit T" version (10 carriage), as opposed to the "Unit H" version (6+4 dividable set) that has been released previously? More pressure to spend more money.}

Edited July 8, 2015 by Takahama Trainwatcher

[Davo Dentetsu]

You'll probably find me a bit strange saying this...

...but I look forward to that ACS-64.

[Takahama Trainwatcher]

What are you going to do with an ACS-64?

[JR 500系]

^{One possible positive (or negative, depending on how you look at it)... is it saying that the Chuo line E233 will be the "Unit T" version (10 carriage), as opposed to the "Unit H" version (6+4 dividable set) that has been released previously? More pressure to spend more money.}

 

HHmmm... Indeed you are right, Kato has only ever produced 6+4 car sets for the E233 Chuo... But Tomix has just also re-released their unit T which is also a full 10 car type. Kinda a good contest between Tomix and Kato in this terms..

[Guest keio6000]

Pretty good releases.  If I didn't have the E233 and (MicroAce) 3100 I'd go for those (I also have the E2 and the tanker cars).  as it were, I'll probably get the amtrak sprinter.  as i'm originally from philadelphia, i'd love of kato made a SEPTA version of the ACS-64, but this is probably unlikely as the market for SEPTA in N gauge so far has consisted of a terrible Bachmann tram and some very very low run resin Silverliner II kits (whicih i have but have not yet built).

 

 

the above is a photoshop.

Edited July 8, 2015 by keio6000

[200系]

 

 

The NSE was also released last December as a Legends set, so seeing it re-release now is kinda strange. Wonder where Kato is heading in this month's releases.

 

JR500, The 3100形 NSE is not a re-release of the December 2014 model. The previous release represented the 6th formation (3201X11) as it appeared before the 1977~1978 renovation, while the new release represents the 5th formation (3181X11) as it appeared after the 1977 renovation.

Both the 5th and the 6th formations where delivered in 1966, and both where in service until 1999, though the Kato model of the 6th formation is only usable till about 1977. While the Kato model of the 5th formation should be usable from 1977~1985 or from 1985~1999, depending on a few details. Seeing as the picture they use shows us the original headmark design, as opposed to the updated rectangular design (all formations where modified by Nippon Sharyō between 1984~1988, the 5th formation being modified in 1985) this should place the model in the 1977~1985 period.

 

 

 

Fancy re-releasing an E2-1000 Hayate when most of the E2 are now running Yamabiko or Toki services (or are there any more E2 Hayates?)

 

I don't necessarily see the problem here, not everyone models/collects only contemporary Shinkansen, nor are there any changes for the J51~J75 formations in Yamabiko vs Hayate service (they still run in the same livery they where delivered in). The current model is the pre-2011 version (lacking the Ganbarō Tōhoku/Ganbarō Nippon decals) anyway.

 

 

 

 

or are there any more E2 Hayates?

 

As far as I know, All Hayate services have been taken over by E5系 formations since the spring 2013 timetable revision. The remaining E2系 J51~J75 formations are scheduled to be retired from the Tōhoku shinkansen with the winter 2015 timetable revision, with the formations likely cascading down to the Jōetsu shinkansen to replace the ageing E2系0番台 J2~J15 (though a few have already been scrapped) formations as well as some or all of the E4系 formations.

 

 Hope this answers your question :)

Edited July 8, 2015 by 200系

[Guest keio6000]

JR500, The 3100形 NSE is not a re-release of the December 2014 model. The previous release represented the 6th formation (3201X11) as it appeared before the 1977~1978 renovation, while the new release represents the 5th formation (3181X11) as it appeared after the 1977 renovation.

Both the 5th and the 6th formations where delivered in 1966, and both where in service until 1999, though the Kato model of the 6th formation is only usable till about 1977. While the Kato model of the 5th formation should be usable from 1977~1985 or from 1985~1999, depending on a few details. Seeing as the picture they use shows us the original headmark design, as opposed to the updated rectangular design (all formations where modified by Nippon Sharyō between 1984~1988, the 5th formation being modified in 1985) this should place the model in the 1977~1985 period.

 

 

While this is a very comprehensive technical answer, it doesn't actually tell pikers like me what the actual differences are.

 

I just compared the picture of the released 3100 on modeltrainsplus with the kato to-be-released photo and the only real difference i see, at least at the head car, is perhaps different placement of air conditioning units.  is this what we are talking about?

 

it can't see kato releasing a square headmark version as it's integral to the mould and Ma did the square version.

 

this page compares kato and ma:

 

http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/ymg_tks/35441157.html

[200系]

Ah sorry, you're right I should have mentioned, the roof mounted AC units are indeed the most visible differentiators. The original underfloor AC units used by the 3100形 where replaced by higher capacity roof mounted examples (there was no room for expansion left under the car body) during the mentioned 1977~1978 renovation, as well as some interior differences (colours mainly).

 

for comparison see:

 

original:

 

http://www.agui.net/oer/oer3100-100h-nishiguchi.jpg

 

post renovation:

 

https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%B0%8F%E7%94%B0%E6%80%A53100%E5%BD%A2%E9%9B%BB%E8%BB%8A#/media/File:Odakyu_3100_Ashigara.jpg

 

I don't see them change the mold just for the updated headmark either, I'd like to see this version as a Kato release somewhere in the future though, the MA version has been out of production for a long time and the Kato 3100形 really is an excellent model.

 

for those wondering about the headmark:

 

Original:

 

https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%B0%8F%E7%94%B0%E6%80%A53100%E5%BD%A2%E9%9B%BB%E8%BB%8A#/media/File:Odakyu_NSE_3100.jpg

 

1984~1988 updated version:

 

https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%B0%8F%E7%94%B0%E6%80%A53100%E5%BD%A2%E9%9B%BB%E8%BB%8A#/media/File:Odakyu-3100.jpg

 

*note the roof mounted AC units in both pictures.

[Guest keio6000]

hi 200 thanks for the answer - makes things clear.

 

i really want this kato 3100, but i really shouldn't as i have the MA version.  Heck, I also have both MA 3000 versions but at least i'm pretty sure Kato won't make those soon... right?

 

Sorry as I could not find it - any news on DCC plug in compatibility for either both the lights and motor on the Kato 3100?

[Davo Dentetsu]

What are you going to do with an ACS-64?

The same thing I do with all my OO, HO and N scale collection...

 

...I dunno, hope for the best?  :P

[EF65 1100]

The same thing I do with all my OO, HO and N scale collection...

 

...I dunno, hope for the best?   :P

I thought you might want to haul the passenger cars with the EF65... =P

 

Joking aside, nothing for me for October... A little underwhelming for me.

Edited July 9, 2015 by EF65 1100

[katoftw]

Damn you Kato!  I'm really suppressing the urge to buy my first JR East commuter.  And now they bring out a new Chuo Line E233 which the old version have been hard to get.  You buy one commuter, then it becomes a roll on effect with Yamannote Line, Shonan Line etc.  Grrr!  And that will roll onto JRE Shinkansens. Moar grrr!

Edited July 10, 2015 by katoftw

[JR 500系]

Damn you Kato!  I'm really suppressing the urge to buy my first JR East commuter.  And now they bring out a new Chuo Line E233 which the old version have been hard to get.  You buy one commuter, then it becomes a roll on effect with Yamannote Line, Shonan Line etc.  Grrr!  And that will roll onto JRE Shinkansens. Moar grrr!

 

Buy buy buy!

 

Those E233s are really addictive. I have to admit, I kept trying to complete the series of these E233s (by Tomix though), like E233-0 Chuo, E233-3000 Tokaido line, E233-5000 Keiyo line, E233-6000 Yokohama line, E233-7000 Saikyo Line, E233-8000 Nambu line etc...

 

Fact be, actually they all look the same, just a different colour scheme ~  :P

[katoftw]

It is an illness. haha

[Guest keio6000]

Buy buy buy!

 

Those E233s are really addictive. I have to admit, I kept trying to complete the series of these E233s (by Tomix though), like E233-0 Chuo, E233-3000 Tokaido line, E233-5000 Keiyo line, E233-6000 Yokohama line, E233-7000 Saikyo Line, E233-8000 Nambu line etc...

 

- Big three Yamanote / Keihin Tohoku / Chuo here, all from Kato, all lovely.  Didn't know the chuo line one was HTF.  Seems odd.

 

 

question about 233s:  Tomix is soon to release the Odakyu 4000, which is a E233 derivative.  Can we expect the intermediate cars to be basically unmodified E233 cars with a different stripe color such that the novel part of the mould will be the styling of the end cars, or is there more to it than that?

[ToniBabelony]

question about 233s:  Tomix is soon to release the Odakyu 4000, which is a E233 derivative.  Can we expect the intermediate cars to be basically unmodified E233 cars with a different stripe color such that the novel part of the mould will be the styling of the end cars, or is there more to it than that?

 

Both the Odakyū 4000 and JR East E233-2000 that are announced by Tomix are narrow-body type E233s for through running on the Chiyoda line. Although both Odakyū and the JR East Jyōban line run wide-body trains (Odakyū's widest is the 8000 Series at 2,900 mm), the Chiyoda line wasn't built to accommodate these widths.

[Takahama Trainwatcher]

Buy buy buy!

 

Those E233s are really addictive. I have to admit, I kept trying to complete the series of these E233s (by Tomix though), like E233-0 Chuo, E233-3000 Tokaido line, E233-5000 Keiyo line, E233-6000 Yokohama line, E233-7000 Saikyo Line, E233-8000 Nambu line etc...

 

Fact be, actually they all look the same, just a different colour scheme ~  :P

The problem is: that is a moving target. Just when you think you will be able to complete the set, JR East introduce another version of the E233 to another line, then Kato (or Tomix for you) model it, then we need to buy it. Once upon a time I had 3 different E233s as the target. I've got double that now in possession.

[linkey]

Dear KATO, HSJ and every Japanse Model Train Retailer:



Yes I will be eating 2-minute noodles for a long time. I think my bank card (CC/DC) wants to run away from me for good.

[Guest Closed Account 1]

Can we possibly keep all the "Tomix release" traffic confined to the "Tomix new releases" topic?

 

All questions about a specific train needs to be in a separate topic.

 

Kato New Releases has become the hub for "new releases" and the thread is getting abused.

[katoftw]

Tomix, MicroAce, Greenmax.

Edited July 10, 2015 by katoftw

[Das Steinkopf]

That's why I will be staying away from the Tokyo area when I build my JRF themed layout, I will use Series 103, 113, 115 and 225's to run passenger services on the layout. Straying anywhere into the Tokyo area means your wallet is going to be drained fast with the vast plethora of JR and private lines that run through there.

Edited July 11, 2015 by Das Steinkopf