● Item Introduction

Kato is introducing a passenger car set that lets you experience sleeper express trains connecting cities across Hokkaido. The 14 series passenger cars, manufactured from 1971, underwent modifications for Hokkaido's cold and snowy conditions, including converting passenger doors to sliding ones. These trains consisted of a mix of sleeper and seat cars. Particularly on the "Marimo" (Sapporo to Kushiro) service, dream cars with wider seating intervals were added in 1988 to compete with intercity buses shortly after JR took over operations.

◆ With this set, you can recreate various sleeper express trains from early Heisei-era Hokkaido. Kato recommend pairing it with the concurrently released 7008-L DD51 Late Type Late Stage (for cold regions) “Northern Star” (rubber frame) locomotive. Additionally, the set includes number plates to replicate scenes of DD51 locomotives in the former JNR color scheme, commonly seen shortly after the transition to JR.

Composition of Trains

◆ Product Features

• Kato is introducing the 14 Series 500 units from the early days of Kushiro Depot after the JR transition.

• SUHANEFU 14 and SUHAFU 14 come with convertible train markers featuring "Marimo," "Taisetsu," and "Rishiri." SUHANEFU 14 and SUHAFU 14 feature illuminated tail lights with an on/off switch.

• The intermediate coupling parts of the formation feature body-mounted dense self-couplers. The locomotive coupling side of Suhanefu 14 and Suhafu 14 comes with standard Arnold couplers. Replacement knuckle couplers are included.

• Headmarks for "Marimo," "Taisetsu," and "Rishiri" for DD51 are included, reproducing a larger form than the standard headmarks.

• White number plates are included for reproducing scenes of DD51 traction in JNR livery. Car numbers include "1083," "1095," "1102," and "1143."

• Lettering sheets containing car numbers for "Taisetsu" and "Rishiri" formations are included.

• Side destination displays, seat markers, "Marimo" sleeper car emblems, and car number markers are included in the decals.