● ”SL Hitoyoshi" is a steam locomotive drawn limited rapid train between Kumamoto and Hitoyoshi, consisting of the steam locomotive series 8620 No. 58654 and its dedicated coaches, series 50-700. The appearance of both the locomotive and the passenger cars is characterized by the black body with beautiful decors, making it one of the most popular sightseeing trains in Kyushu. As part of the Hisatsu line is currently closed, the train has been operating between Kumamoto and Tosu on the Kagoshima Main line since May 2021. The passenger cars are also combined with DE10 as a limited train.

 

◆ Features of the product

① Series 50-700 Passenger Car 3-Car Set is DCC compatible.

② The bookcase packaging can store 1x 58654, 3x passenger car, 2x DE10.

③ The especially planned 4-Car set features a special sleeve packaging.

④ The especially planned 4-Car set includes a black rerailer.

 

Looking for more Kato Steam Locomotives? Click here!

 

 

Re-run

Kato will make in N-scale the DE10 featured with the chic black appearance.

The DE10 in the appearance composed of orange run boards and golden handrails on the black body is currently deployed widely in JR Kyushu areas.

Starting with painting black a DE10 in 2010 for shooting of a TV program, all the eight DE10 locomotives belonging to JR Kyushu are made into this black paint scheme.

This is a locomotive model which is used for switching trains in yards and for drawing trains for construction work as well as for pulling passenger trains. It has also pulled an extra train “Twilight Express".

The N-scale model is a set of 2 locomotives, one fit with traction tires and the other without traction tire, can be run in double heading with the same model locomotive or in push-pull operation combined with another model locomotive.

 

Composition of Trains

Features

● To commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Katsuta Rolling Stock Centre, to which all Series E531 trains belong, the JR East Mito branch changed the colour of the Series E531-K451 5-car train to Azuki red with a cream-coloured band. This nostalgic and beloved design was first introduced with the Series 401 trains, which were assigned to the Katsuka Rolling Stock Centre when it just opened.

 

Series E531 "Akaden" is a 5-car train serving on the Joban and Mito lines as additional coaches and is also equipped for one man operation. The road number K451 was selected for a special design with the red (Red No. 13) and cream-coloured (Cream No. 4) design of Series 401 in the front and regular wrapping on the sides.

 

Its service is centered around Mito, enxtending north on the Joban line to Haranomachi in Soma, Fukushima prefecture and west on the Mito line to Oyama, Tochigo prefecture, as well as on the Ueno-Tokyo Line to Shinagawa. This train is widely used in the Tokyo metropolitan area.

 

Series E531 is scheduled to remain in service until March 2023.

 

Anticipated Delivery Date: January 2023

 

● Series 521-3 is newly built from 2013 onwards, characterised by a driver's cab with a shock-absorbing structure and a newly designed light layout. All trains belong to the Kanazawa General Rolling Stock Yard and are operated in six-car formations with a maximum of three cars from other trains between Tsuruga and Kanazawa on the Hokuriku Main Line. Two trains were transferred to IR Ishikawa Railway when the Hokuriku Shinkansen started service in 2015, and newly built trains with the same appearance are also in service on the Ainokaze Toyama Railway.

 

Anticipated Delivery Date: September 2022

 

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

 

 

● A new soundcard for you to enjoy model railroading at home. In addition to rail joint sounds, environmental sounds such as departure bells, whistles, crossings, railway bridges and tunnels' can be added to your rolling stock to create various scenes.

◆ Sounds and functions reproduced by function buttons. Some sounds and functions may differ between stopping/running.

Anticipated Delivery Date: September 2022

 

 

The long-awaited Soundboxes will be back in stock in September. They're a popular item, so get your orders in quick!

 

◆ What’s new?

・With the latest program employed, updated functions are now installed as standard features such as playing the sound of the VVVF equipped electric trains, diesel trains and emergency stop in addition to the conventional sound cards and the function to switch to controller priority mode.

・The analog method able to play with Soundbox without any conversion added to the rolling stock itself.

・The Soundbox is equipped with input and output terminals. Connecting it with external speaker or with microphone or smartphone makes it is possible even to mix in such external sounds as announcements in a station or by conductors.

 

◆ Features of the product

① Each volume knob has now gradation added for easier adjustment.

② Soundbox is only to control “Sound” while Power Pack on hand can be used to run rolling stock by speed and direction control. No further devices are needed.

③ With the speaker built in Soundbox, it is unnecessary to change rolling stock mechanically for the installation.

④ Insertion of separately sold sound cards in the Soundbox enables you to enjoy running various kinds of rolling stock with the sounds.

⑤ Soundbox is characterized with playing the sound automatically in synchronization with the move of rolling stock.

⑥ Soundbox is equipped with 6 push buttons to play the kinds of sound you like such as whistle or brake, etc.

⑦ The Soundbox can be easily connected with power pack for running rolling stock by using a jump code. The power can be supplied easily by connecting it to the snap terminals on the side of power pack.

 

 

Anticipated Delivery Date: October 2022

 

Looking for more Kato Sound Accessories? Click here!

Order Due Date: July 21, 2022

 

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