Dear HO Scale Customers;

Kato (Japan) is excited to announce the November 2025 Releases

EF81 Electric Locomotives

● Item Introduction

Classic or luxury — the EF81 returns in two iconic forms!

The Cassiopeia-color EF81 captures the golden age of Japan’s luxury sleeper expresses. With its bold white-and-gold design and prestige matching Europe’s Nightjet and TEE, this iconic dual-voltage locomotive hauled the legendary Cassiopeia and Hokutosei trains— both symbols of Japan’s famous Blue Train era.

The regular-color EF81 also returns in its classic Rose Pink livery! This versatile locomotive captures the enduring spirit of Japan’s railways, from overnight expresses to heavy freight, fully upgrada

◆ Two stunning additions to any HO collection, ideal for pairing with KATO’s (HO) 24 Series cars.

◆ Product Features

Details

• Cassiopeia version with white body, accents in yellow, orange, and with blue stripes, complete with black roof, gray walkways, and green insulators.
• Realistic roof-top wiring in metal.
• Optional name-/manufacturer plates: Cassiopeia version: “EF81 79 / 89 / 92 / 99”, “Hitachi / Mitsubishi”; Rose Pink version: “EF81 97 / 105 / 106 / 108”, “Hitachi / Mitsubishi”.
• Grade-Up Parts Set (7-103-1) for enhanced realism with separately applied details (signal pipes, whistle covers, wipers, antennas, jumper hoses, etc.).
• Small accessories and lighting control driver included.

Specifications

Couplers: Compatible with Kadee couplers, uncoupler track sections (sold separately).

Other:

• Taillight lighting system: Single-loco mode (lights on both ends), shunting mode (one end lit while moving forward), train-haul mode (lights off)
• Coreless motor.