Kato - New Releases

[Gordon Werner]

KATO USA is currently running a web poll until October 29th to see the interest in modern (North American) LRV models and street track (right hand running)

 

http://www.katousa.com/webpoll.html 

Edited October 6, 2016 by Gordon Werner

[ToniBabelony]

Thank you for sharing! I've already seen this pop up a few days ago via friends who are close with Mr. Kato himself, but completely forgot about it. IMHO it'd be wise for Kato to release a bi-directional unit that really isn't specified for left or right-hand running, so it can cover both the international and domestic market. For me personally, a Kato tram is a bit more interesting than a Tomytec one, as Kato values the view of the interior more, as well as lighting.

[JR 500系]

 

I'm very interested in the 521 series... nice! What about that E657? Isn't that already released sometime back? It seems to be a new release this time..

[Suica]

What about that E657? Isn't that already released sometime back? It seems to be a new release this time..

I want the E657 so bad.

But why February... that's already a bad month for me...

[Das Steinkopf]

Nice to see the bridge with prices listed as it gives me a bit of an idea of how much I' m up for, I think I will be utilising some space in my return luggage next April for that one, pity about the Taki 1000 being a re release but that said I am keen to pick up some of the Tomix versions anyway.

[katoftw]

Anyone seen any track plans using the bridges yet?

[Das Steinkopf]

Anyone seen any track plans using the bridges yet?

Nariichi snapped a few shots of it at a couple of the exhibitions.

[Kiha66]

Anyone seen any track plans using the bridges yet?

From kato's website

[serotta1972]

Oooh, they are re-releasing the Southern Pacific Morning Daylight train.

 

http://www.katousa.com/N/GS-4/index.html

http://www.katousa.com/N/Daylight/index.html

[Kiha66]

Thanks for the heads up Junior, this will give me a chance pick up the add-on cars this time around.

[serotta1972]

So you already have the GS-4 and 10 Car Set - nice!  This will give me the chance of getting the GS-4 and the 10 Car Passenger Set.  :)

[phlydude]

It seems like the 2008 version had more unique add-on car sets (4 sets of 2 articulating cars)

Hope that Kato adds two more SKUs to the re-release to give the add-ons unique car numbers (but it looks like there is NOS online and on auction sites)

Edited October 11, 2016 by phlydude

[Edo-San]

Nice to see the bridge with prices listed as it gives me a bit of an idea of how much I' m up for, I think I will be utilising some space in my return luggage next April for that one, pity about the Taki 1000 being a re release but that said I am keen to pick up some of the Tomix versions anyway.

So far hobby search has the lowest prices for the curve bridges R448-15, think I will wait until next year when I visit Tokyo in Aug/Sep, hopefully the AUD/JPY will be stronger by then - I hope.

Edited October 12, 2016 by Edo-San

[velotrain]

Nariichi snapped a few shots of it at a couple of the exhibitions.

 

Their small display module looks decent, although it only uses three of the curved bridge sections, but I don't comprehend the trackplan shown in the message below this one.

 

It seems silly to me to tie these bridge sections into their standard elevated track height, as viaduct track would just look bizarre next to this bridge.

 

Can you imagine a Shinkansen - or any express train, going over this?

 

I do realize they're only doing this to work the new set into a floor or table-top layout, but it still seems like an odd proposal, and I find it difficult to imagine people doing this.

 

To me it would make more sense to reverse the plan - similar to the module set-up, with the bridge protruding at the front and either non-sceniced staging at the back, or use a skyboard and have a separate scene there - say a town with station and a small yard.

 

 

I still wish the piers were closer to the proto height for added drama.

 

If they wanted to, Kato could offer an expansion piece (doubling the height?) that just plugs into the bottom (guessing it’s open on these), but they probably don’t think there’s enough market.

 

One issue is that it would require “real” scenery (such as their module), vs. floor / tabletop play layouts.

 

[kvp]

The 3 section bridge trackplan is using a small diorama, that could be extended with on the floor parts to a full loop. It uses 249 mm (elevated) curves to minimise floor space for the unsceniced tracks. This is what was shown irl during the exhibition. The 2nd trackplan with the 4 sections bridge is a traditional home layout and shows how to integrate the bridges into a fixed layout. (badly i would say)

[katoftw]

I'm happy with the pillars.  Although since all the pillars in every photo I have seen are weathered.  Making an add on and hiding it under weathering should be too much of a task.  Now I just need to figure out how to do good water scenery. haha

Edited October 13, 2016 by katoftw

[Ken Ford]

I'm happy with the pillars.  Although since all the pillars in every photo I have seen are weathered.  Making an add on and hiding it under weathering should be too much of a task.  Now I just need to figure out how to do good water scenery. haha

Any of those scenes would make a great focal point for a small layout to take to shows!

 

I really like the small Kato layout with the curved bridges, if you added a couple of staging stub tracks "backstage" it would be even better IMO. The only think stopping me from preordering the bridges is my interest in Nj - I suspect changing the track wouldn't be easy. I want to see how the bridges are constructed first.

[JR 500系]

 

I love the sound of the new 223 series sound card, especially the door chimes and music horns!

Edited October 19, 2016 by JR 500系

[Gordon Werner]

下記フォトアルバムページをご参照下さい。
　
Vol.1

https://goo.gl/photos/kcixuqReDyGqVSRH6
　
Vol.2

https://goo.gl/photos/sib9U3bkcBvbrsW46
　
Vol.3

https://goo.gl/photos/5f1Pc9MTagRUxEGcA
　
以下試作品掲載リストです。

 

　
試作品掲載リスト
　
Vol.1
80系300番台 飯田線 4両セット クハ86 329（6両セットのクハ86 300も上部斜め塗装の角度はこちらと同等になります。）
80系300番台 飯田線 4両セット クハ86 302（このクハ86 302のみ上部斜め塗装部分が短くなります）
80系300番台 飯田線 4両セット 上：クハ86 329　下：クハ86 302（上部斜め塗装部分の長さの違い）
80系300番台 飯田線 6両セット モハ80 345
80系300番台 飯田線 6両セット クハ85 108
80系300番台 飯田線 6両セット モハ80 373
　
Vol.2
急行「アルプス」用事業用車 3両セット クモヤ90015
急行「アルプス」用事業用車 3両セット クモニ83800
コキ50000（グレー台車）コンテナ無積載 2両セット コキ50352
H5系 北海道新幹線＜はやぶさ＞
東急電鉄5050系4000番台＜Shibuya Hikarie号＞
西武鉄道701系（非冷房）
キハ25形1000番台（高山本線・太多線）
D51 標準形（長野式集煙装置付）
テム300
　
Vol.3
165系 急行「アルプス」 8両セット サロ165-42
165系 急行「アルプス」 8両セット サハシ165-54
313系 0番台（東海道本線）4両セット クモハ313-4
313系 0番台（東海道本線）4両セット サハ313-4
313系 0番台（東海道本線）4両セット モハ313-4
313系 0番台（東海道本線）4両セット クハ312-10

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+

Prototype published list 

　
Vol.1
80 series 300 series Iida 4-Car Set Kuha 86 329 (angle of Kuha 86 300 is also the top diagonally painted 6-Car Set is equivalent and here.) 
80 series 300 series Iida 4 cars set Kuha 86 302 (this Kuha 86 302 only will shorten the upper diagonal painted parts) 
80 series 300 series Iida 4-Car set on: Kuha 86 329 below: Kuha 86 302 (the difference in length of the upper diagonal paintwork) 
80 system 300 series Iida 6-car set Moha 80 345 
80 series 300 series Iida 6-car set Kuha 85 108 
80 series 300 series Iida 6-car set Moha 373 80 
　
Vol.2
express both cars for the business for the "Alps" three sets of clouds 90015 
express car for business for the "Alps" 3-car set Kumoni 83,800 
Koki 50000 (gray truck) container-free loading 2-car set Koki 50352 
H5 system Hokkaido Shinkansen <Hayabusa> 
Tokyu Corporation 5050-based 4000 series <Shibuya Hikarie issue> 
Seibu Railway 701 system (non-cooling) 
KIHA 25 form 1000 series (Takayama Main line-Taita line) 
D51 standard form (Nagano formula collection smoke with equipment) 
tem 300 
　
Vol.3
series 165 express "Alps" 8-Car set Salo 165-42 
165 system express " Alps "8-Car set Sahashi 165-54 
313 system 0 series (Tokaido line) 4-Car set Kumoha 313-4 
313 system 0 series (Tokaido line) 4-Car set Saha 313-4 
313 system 0 series (Tokaido line) 4-Car set Moha 313-4 
313 system 0 series (Tokaido line) 4-Car set Kuha 312-10

[JR 500系]

 

Surprise surprise! Kato is making the Seibu Smile train!

 

Also, the re-release of the 800 series, along with that interesting SL road train!  :)

[miyakoji]

An 8-car KIHA91 set... awesome.

[katoftw]

S33 piece of track.  Will work much like the 18.5 Tomix piece allowing spacing for island platform between 2 curves.

 

Not sure on the S38 though.  Any takers for explanation?

 

Pocket Line getting a production run.  Has been a while for any of the Pocket Line sets.

[Densha]

Surprise surprise! Kato is making the Seibu Smile train!

It's actually the Smile Train 2.0. :) The original Smile Train is the 30000 series. That said, I rode the 30000 series last month and saw the first 40000 series sitting at Kotesashi depot and I found them to be really good looking trains. I really have to stay far away from Seibu... Edited November 2, 2016 by Densha

[Suica]

More news!

 

651-1000 series Swallow Akagi / Kusatsu re-release

Comes with LED lights and the head mark is now changeable. 

Edited November 2, 2016 by Suica

[JR 500系]

More news!

IMG_20161102_121546.jpg

 

651-1000 series Swallow Akagi / Kusatsu re-release

Comes with LED lights and the head mark is now changeable. 

 

YES! Finally one more chance to get this! I do hope the other Izu Craile gets released soon! Love the graphics on that one!