Dear N Scale Customers;

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

E657 Series E653 Revival Color (Yellow)

● Item Introduction

Introducing the third product in the KATO E657 Series, the yellow-coated Series E653 in the K2 formation!

● The E657 Series was introduced in 2011 as an express-type DC train for the Jōban line. In consideration of the 2023 Ibaraki Destination Campaign, the E657 took inspiration from the “Fresh Hitachi” design of the E653 in earlier years, attracting the attention of many railroad enthusiasts. Whilst the real train has a total set of 5 colors, this model is the 3rd product in the KATO lineup.

◆ Perfect for adding to your JR East train network and for completing your collection of this Shinkansen in its various colors!

◆ Product Features

① K2 formation belonging to the Katsuta Rolling Stock Center.

② Revival color inspired by the E653 "Fresh Hitachi" which used the daffodil as its motif.

③ The unique symbols of the Hitachi Seaside Park and daffodil are reproduced.

DC Electric Train Special Features:

• Insulator
• High-voltage apparatus around the pantograph
• Wireless antenna
• WiMAX antenna

Couplers:

• Intermediate couplings use KATO body-mounted tight lock couplers
• Dampers between cars.

Details:

• Grey-colored bogie, damper, underfloor mechanisms, and lead-car dummy coupler
• Front + side windows recreated with green-tinted glass

Other:

• Slotless motor
• DCC friendly

E233 Series 6000 Subseries Yokohama Line 8-Car Set

● Item Introduction

The E233 series that connects Tō-Kanagawa and Hachioji.

● The E233 series 6000 subseries primarily operates on the Yokohama Line, as well as other lines. Features the distinctive green and light green bands representing the Yokohama Line's color scheme, as well as the "YOKOHAMA LINE" logo prominently displayed on the front and sides of the trains.

◆ Product Features

Couplers:

• Uses a body-mounted KATO tight-lock couplers (with hooks), the front section is equipped with a dummy coupler

Details:

• Air conditioners on top of cars 3, 6, 7, 8 with AU726A units, 1, 2, 4, 5 with AU726B units (the actual installation may differ from this configuration)
• The front display is pre-printed with "4341K" and "Yokohama Line Rapid Hachioji“
• Painted on wheelchair symbol, stroller symbol etc.
• The side destination display is printed in solid black. A destination display sticker is included

Other:

• Slotless motor
• DCC friendly
• Lights: white LEDs

Hankyu Electric Railway 2300 Type Kyoto Line 8-Car Set

● Item Introduction

Hankyu Electric Railway's first reserved seating car , incorporated into the 2300 series.

● The Hankyu Electric Railway 2300 series is a new type of limited express train introduced on the Hankyu Kyoto Line. The design carries forward the traditional image of Hankyu trains while incorporating curved window glass at the front to evoke a sense of "speed." It also introduces Hankyu's first reserved seating service, the car, designed to provide a designated space for 'me-time'.

◆ Product Features

Hankyu Electric Railway 2300 Type Kyoto Line 8-Car Set

Couplers:

• Uses a body-mounted close-coupling type coupler (with a hook), dummy coupler at the front end

Details:

• The 4th car (2350) of the series features small windows on both sides of the central door, as well as the distinctive door windows of the original
• Front destination display: "Osaka Umeda/ Limited Express“; "Kyoto Kawaramachi/ Semi-Limited Express" and "Blank" are included as replacements
• The side destination displays are printed in black, destination display stickers are included
• The headmark displayed on the front included in the destination display sticker set

Other:

• Slotless motor
• DCC friendly
• Lights: white LEDs

◆ Product features Hankyu Electric Railway 2350 Series (Individual item)

• Includes a lettering sheet with the car numbers for the skirt area compatible with previous products
• Destination display stickers are included, featuring the current design of the women-only car sign and destination displays (for an 8-car formation)

Aoimori Railway701 Series (New Livery)

● Item Introduction

The new livery introduced in recent years features the character "Morii“ displayed on the side of the body.

● The changes in the new N gauge livery from 2024 include the removal of the light blue wrapping around the front throughdoor and headlights, as well as the relocation of the light blue wrapping from below the side windows to the skirts. The trains operate with configurations ranging from a minimum of two cars to a maximum of four cars.

◆ Product Features

Couplers:

• Uses a body-mounted tight-lock couplers (without hooks), front section is equipped with a detachable coupler cover, includes an electrical connector

Details:

• Made with different versions of the character "Morii" drawn on different parts of the body
• The reinforced snow plow skirts come in different configurations for the KuMoHa and KuHa units and with varying cut-out positions (the couplers do not rotate so when connecting the front units for operation, please use the included skirt parts designed for coupling)
• Made with curtain-style destination sign with "Aomori" printing, side displays are white
• Uses a single-bogie and is equipped with traction tires

Other:

• Slotless motor, also includes a demagnetizing plate
• DCC friendly

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

ED79 Electric Locomotive

● Item Introduction

The electric locomotives that supported the passage of passenger and freight cars through the Seikan Tunnel.

● The ED79 is a dual-purpose alternating current electric locomotive, specifically designed for the Seikan Tunnel, which opened in 1988. The locomotive was built for the unique environment inside the Seikan Tunnel, and it operates by hauling passenger trains with a single unit and freight trains with a double unit in tandem. In its later years, the locomotive's appearance was updated and had its original lower-crossed pantograph replaced with a single-arm pantograph.

◆ For this product features a slotless motor, thus the model number, price, and JAN code will be updated. Additionally, the windshield wipers on the front window glass will be changed to a silver color.

Looking for more Kato Electric Locomotives? Click here!

Anticipated Delivery Date: July 2025