Dear N Scale Customers;

Kato (Japan) is excited to announce the November 2024 Releases

CE 4 “Federal Republic of Germany” Basic Set 7-Car Set

● Item Introduction

Commemorating the 30th anniversary of the ICE service, featuring a belt with the same color scheme as the German flag.

● The ICE4 “Federal Republic of Germany” formation began service in 2021 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of ICE's first service. The distinctive feature of this train is its commemorative paint scheme, which features the colors of the German flag (black, red, and gold (yellow) from the top) on the body strip. The train was nicknamed “Bundesrepublik Deutschland” (Federal Republic of Germany), and the name is emblazoned on the side of the lead car. The 13-car train, called “XXL,” has one more second-class car than the 12-car train.

● A new addition to KATO's ICE4 series is now available. The 13-car train, which is longer than previous products, is now available in a commemorative paint scheme with a German flag pattern band. We recommend this model to be used not only with the existing ICE4 series, but also with high-speed trains from other European countries.

Mit Genehmigung der / Under license from Deutsche Bahn AG

◆ Product Features

① Belt with the colors of the German flag and the name of the train “Bundesrepublik Deutschland” on the side of the first car are reproduced.

② Printed signs, door edges, door switches, etc.

③ Reproduces the same 13-car formation as the actual car, coupled with a second-class car similar to car No. 3 to car No. 4, compared to the previous product.

④ The bogies of the accompanying cars have wheels with exposed brake disks, and the wheels are dyed black to match the appearance of the actual cars.

⑤ The motor car is included as one unit in both the basic set and the expansion set. Considering the coordination of the motor cars, the motor car in the expansion set does not have traction tires.

⑥Smooth and quiet running performance realized by adoption of slotless motor.

⑦ Special lighting plate for interior lighting is built in to match the length of the car body.

⑧ Intermediate couplings are equipped with couplers that reproduce the full circumference of the train and are easy to connect.

⑨ Head/tail lights are illuminated.

⑩ DCC Friendly

 

 

Anticipated Delivery Date: July 2025

 

 

227-500 Series “Urara” Car Sets

● Item Introduction

Series 227-500 “Urara” used for regional transportation in the Okayama and Bingo area

● The Series 227-500 “Urara” began service in July 2023 as the successor to the JNR trains that had been operating in the Okayama area. The exterior of the train is based on the concept of “Ho-on-no Irodori,” which means abundant harvest and mildness, and expresses the rich and mild climate and natural features of Okayama and Bingo. The train is used not only on the Sanyo Main Line, but also on the Seto-ohashi Line, the Uno-Minato Line, and the Hakubi Line in a wide range of areas.

◆ The new generation of commuter and suburban trains in the Okayama area are now available for N gauge. 3-car sets and 2- car sets can be combined to recreate a 7-car formation just like the actual train. This set can be combined with the <10-1808> Series 115 300 Chugoku Livery/ Shonan Color (Okayama Train Depot), which is currently on sale, and the Series 273 “Yakumo” (10-1999/2000), which will be released in April 2025 (see following page).

 

◆ Product Features

①  The L17 formation (3-car set) and R12 formation (2-car set), manufactured by Kawasaki Sharyo and belonging to the Okayama Train Branch of the Shimonoseki General Rolling Stock Office, are now available.

② Beautifully reproduces the pink exterior and gradated band.

③ Reproduction of the roof of the first car without signal flame tube

④ The lightning arrester is reproduced in the shape seen in recent years. Also, the electric compressor, which has a different shape from the conventional Series 227, is reproduced.

⑤ 3-car set with platform status camera installed and 2-car set with platform status camera under construction.

⑥ Reproduced with separate parts for fall prevention holos. (2 types are prepared for the first car for appearance and for the combined train.

⑦ Smoother and quieter running with slotless motor

⑧ 3-car set with traction tires, 2-car set without traction tires, 2-car set with demagnetizing plate already assembled

⑨ Head/tail lights are illuminated (with switch to turn off). Headlight is reproduced in white LED and fog light is reproduced in orange.

⑩ Both couplings apply body-mounted close couplings (without hooks). Includes a 2-stage coupler that can be attached to the front end coupler of the lead car.

⑪ Front destination display already installed. 2 types of pre-printed and “plain” are included for replacement.

⑫ DCC Friendly

Seibu 40000-50 Series Sets

● Item Introduction

The 40000-50 Series, featuring a curvilinear design and bucket seats.

● Seibu Railway Series 40000 Series No. 50 was introduced in 2019 as an addition to the Series 40000 cars. In a departure from the conventional long/cross-seat convertible type (where the seats face the front/back of the train), the No. 50 cars have long seats (where seats are installed along the side walls of the vehicle). Within the Seibu Line, they are seen on the Shinjuku Line as well as the Ikebukuro Line, and are used in a wide range of areas in the Tokyo metropolitan area, including service on the Tokyo Metro Yurakucho and Fukutoshin Lines, Tokyu Toyoko Line, and Yokohama Rapid Transit Minatomirai Line.

◆ A new lineup is now available for KATO's Seibu Railway Series. We have made the 40000-50 Series with the long speat specification (which continues to be developed) into a new product. The interior of the train will contain a series of bucket seats with a characteristic design. You can enjoy this product not only with Seibu Railway cars, but also with cars that directly connect to the Seibu Railway line.

 

◆ Product Features

① Long seat specification No. 50, Formation: 40151

② Reproduces the interior of the car with a continuous line of curvilinear bucket seats

③ Reproduces the roof of the first car equipped with two antennas and the headlights whose shape was changed from the No. 0 version.

④ Printed “LONG” signage next to the front and side displays, and printed wheelchair and stroller markings on all cars.

⑤ Body-mounted couplers without hooks are used for the intermediate couplings of each car. Dummy couplers are used for the leading end.

⑥ Head/tail lights illuminated (white LEDs used)

⑦ Slotless motor for smooth and quiet running

⑧ Front display: “20M/Semi-express Kotesashi” already installed, replacement displays “Express Ikebukuro”, “Local Train Shinkiba” and a plain version are also included.

⑨ Black printed side markings. Destination display sticker included.

⑩ DCC Friendly

 

 

Seibu Railways Series 40000 Basic Car Sets

● Item Introduction

● The Seibu Railway Series 40000 is a commuter train that was introduced in 2017 (Heisei 29). It features a bright color scheme inspired by the scenery and nature along the railway line. It is Seibu Railway's first long cross-seat convertible train with a restroom in Car 4, and is characterized by its use as a seat reservation train such as S-TRAIN and Haijima Liner.

◆ Seibu Railway Series 40000 will be updated to the current specifications. The digital radio antenna on the roof of the first car and the IR antenna on the middle car have been removed, and the power has been changed to slotless motor. You can enjoy this model together with the cars that are directly operated on the Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line and Fukutoshin Line, Tokyu Corporation, Tobu Railway, and Yokohama Rapid Transit Minatomirai Line.

 

◆ Product Features

① Long/cross-seat convertible 40105 formation used for direct subway train operations.

② Realistic reproduction of the gently curved frontal head, clean aluminum body shape, and coloring

③ Long/cross convertable seats are in the form of cross seats, with cars (1) to (9) facing Hanno and car (10) facing Ikebukuro. Partner zone is also reproduced.

④ Reproduction of the form of the intermediate car (40405) with the digital radio antenna and IR antenna added on the roof of the lead car removed.

⑤ Smooth and quiet running performance with the use of a slotless motor.

⑥ Each car has body-mounted couplers without hooks for the intermediate coupling section. Dummy couplers are used for the leading part.

⑦ Head/tail lights, front destination indicator lights (white LEDs used)

⑧ Front display “74M/S-TRAIN Motomachi/China Town” is already installed. “S-TRAIN Seibu Chichibu”, “Haijima Liner Haijima” and a plain version are included as replacement front displays.

⑨ Side markings are printed in black. Destination display stickers are included.

⑩ Basic set and cars of Extension Set B can be stored in the book case of Extension Set A

 

 

Anticipated Delivery Date: May 2025

 

 

273 Series “YAKUMO” Car Sets

● Item Introduction

The key features of this model include its iconic “Yakumo bronze” colour (named after its concept of reflecting the scenery of the San’in and Hakubi line, and its ability to blend in with natural surroundings), as well as the rooftop controlled tilting train mechanism which was designed to improve the riding experience. Out of a total of 11 train sets, the front cars of the 1st to 6th and 11th sets are equipped with a through door at the front, while the Kumorohara 272 of the 7th and 9th sets and the Kumohara 273 of the 8th and 10th sets have a non-through structure. Normally, the trains operate as four-car sets, but during busy times, two sets are coupled together to form an eight-car train.

◆ "The new 273 series train for the Limited Express 'Yakumo' has been introduced. The four-car set features a through structure for the front cars at both ends, while the special eight-car set includes one front car (Kumorohara 272) with a nonthrough structure toward Izumo City and one front car (Kumohara 273) with a non-through structure toward Okayama. Scheduled for release in February 2025 is the '10-1779 381 series "Yuttari Yakumo" (normal formation, gray bogies)', along with the '10-1907/1908 227 series 500 series ' planned for May of the same year, and the concurrently released '22- 243-5 Sound Card <273 series Yakumo>'. Together, these will allow you to enjoy scenes of operation in the San'in and San'yō regions."

◆ Product Features

① Y2 formation (4-car set), Y7 and Y8 formations (8-car set) belonging to Goto General Rolling Stock Works, Izumo Branch

② Reproduces the characteristic “Yakumo Bronze” body color, ivory around the windows, and brown roof and skirts.

③ Front doors (open) parts are included (1 for 4-car set, 2 for 8-car set) to enable reproduction of two trains in combination.

④ The 4-car set is the “Best Selection” package, which is easy to recommend to beginners, and the 8-car set comes in a special sleeve package.

⑤ The 4-car set features a formation where both end cars are equipped with a gangway connection. The 8-car set reproduces a formation where one end car does not have a gangway connection on one side.

⑥ End markings, safety device markings (P/S), and door cock markings are represented in printed form.

⑦ Each car is equipped with body-mounted, non-hook, tight-coupling couplers.

⑧ Equipped with a slotless motor, allowing for smooth and quiet operation.

⑨ Features KATO's unique body tilting mechanism that reproduces the inward body lean during curve passage, just like the real trains.

⑩ DCC friendly

 

 

Looking for more Kato Passenger Trains & Sets? Click here!

 

 

DD51 500 Early Stage Cold Regions Diesel Locomotive

● Item Introduction

Featuring a two-panel front inspection door and a swivel window, we are introducing the semi-permanently coupled DD51 500 Early Stage Cold Regions locomotive!

● The DD51 has been manufactured since 1962 and is a representative diesel locomotive of the JNR, seen across the country except for Shikoku. Among these, the 500 series was built with a structure that enables multiple-unit control. The 7th to 11^th batches (units 501–592) do not have the functionality for single-valve combined brake control and are categorized as "semipermanently coupled." Notably, the 7th to 9th batches manufactured between 1965 and 1966 feature a two-panel front inspection door, slanted straight-shaped steps, intermediate bogies without brake equipment, and a 4,500-liter fuel tank. They were active not only in Hokkaido but also in the Tohoku, Niigata, and San'in regions.

◆ A new lineup is being introduced in KATO's DD51 series. We will be producing the cold regions, early stage type of the 500 series designed for Hokkaido, and equipped with a swivel window. It is also recommended for use as a traction locomotive for the <10-1880 Night Local Train "Karamatsu"> and freight trains, which is scheduled for simultaneous release.

 

Looking for more Kato Diesel Locomotives? Click here!

 

 

Anticipated Delivery Date: April 2025