Kato N gauge Tram system

[PaulRhB]

Well I popped over to Gaugemaster today and had a pleasant chat with the chap in the Euro section about the Kato Trams. I was allowed to thoroughly inspect the red tram and it is very impressive, you can see why it costs nearly double what the Tomy ones do. The mechanisim is completely below the windows and would allow for passengers if they are chopped off at the waist. The roof detail is exquisite with moving parts on the articulation dampers.

They are struggling for much more information as they haven't recieved the sets yet but it looks like they will be stocking just the start set with the Track plate and one tram.

 

 

40-900 Start set with Tram

 

40-800 Start set – Track only

 

 

Here are the best links I've found so far on the Kato site.

Kato Trams, hover over small green magnifying glass for larger images.

 

http://www.katomodels.com/product/nmi/tlr0600_e.shtml

 

 

Starter sets basic and with a tram.

 

http://www.katomodels.com/product/nmi/unitram.shtml

 

 

Demo slideshow

 

http://www.katomodels.com/unitram/

 

 

 

 

[Jim the Tram]

Well I popped over to Gaugemaster today and had a pleasant chat with the chap in the Euro section about the Kato Trams. I was allowed to thoroughly inspect the red tram and it is very impressive, you can see why it costs nearly double what the Tomy ones do. The mechanisim is completely below the windows and would allow for passengers if they are chopped off at the waist. The roof detail is exquisite with moving parts on the articulation dampers.

They are struggling for much more information as they haven't recieved the sets yet but it looks like they will be stocking just the start set with the Track plate and one tram.

 

 

40-900 Start set with Tram

 

40-800 Start set – Track only

 

 

Here are the best links I've found so far on the Kato site.

Kato Trams, hover over small green magnifying glass for larger images.

 

http://www.katomodel...tlr0600_e.shtml

 

 

Starter sets basic and with a tram.

 

http://www.katomodel...i/unitram.shtml

 

 

Demo slideshow

 

http://www.katomodels.com/unitram/

 

 

 

 

 

 

Umm that looks good, I have the Tomix one & need to make a start on baseboard building for the layout.

[Nile]

I never liked the look of the motorised chassis for the Tomytec version as it completely filled the interior.This looks like a much better option.

I can forsee a model using both powered and unpowered models.

[Southernboy]

Tasty

 

I'm modelling the 1930s, but always on the lookout for track / trams / motors that can be adapted.

[Red Devil]

Tasty

 

I'm modelling the 1930s, but always on the lookout for track / trams / motors that can be adapted.

 

I'm sure you've seen these, but I've tried them and are impressed with them, the kato run superbly, fraction long for bogie cars, you can shorten it as it drives on one bogie, but I think it may be a pain

 

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/Powered-Motorized-Chassis-Kato-11-105_W0QQitemZ360232126628QQcmdZViewItemQQptZModel_RR_Trains?hash=item53df8208a4

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/Super-Mini-Size-Motorized-Chassis-Pro-Hobby-Ca-ND-1_W0QQitemZ360237813451QQcmdZViewItemQQptZModel_RR_Trains?hash=item53dfd8cecb

 

4 wheel one works for traditional British 4 wheel cars, might even work as a 1-bo-1 type for British bogie cars if you're not that fussy.

[tetsudofan]

Fantastic looking models......wonder if they will get round to doing an HO version....but then Kato are supposed to be doing an HO Hiroshima Green Mover.....

 

Managed to visit Toyama before they started work on the Port Tram but not been able to get there since the new system started operating....something to do in the future B)

 

Keith

[Nile]

I picked one up today,a miniature work of art.It comes with directional and interior lights,and a smooth mechanism.Detail is finer than the Tomytec version,but they appear to be dimensionally identical and visually compatable.

[PaulRhB]

At last the set arrived and after 5 minutes I was running trams on the carpet!

 

I need to buy some buildings as the cardboard cutout in the set doesn't really cut it

The instructions are all Japanese but the excellent diagrams mean it's easy to follow and they even give you three different ideas for a set of buildings to buy, Urban, Town or city not suprisingly all from the diotown range. I've got a slightly more ambitious idea involving n airport terminal

 

They also include ideas for extending the track using standard unitrack but there aren't any extra road sections, yet?, to match up the tram plate sections so they look a bit odd.

 

Here's what you find inside

 

and a load of accessories including dummy catenary poles, traffic lights, tram stop and fencing

 

The track plate includes printed, textured detail such as manhole covers and the blind assistance paving.

 

The set only includes one controller so the second tram is waiting it's turn (the supplied railer really is a help)

 

comparing the Kato (right) and Tomy models, Kato has lights on front and back as well as interior ones, Kato also has a much lower top speed but runs slightly smoother. Detail wise the kato one is finer and crisper with more working detail on the roof.

[Southernboy]

That looks good May I ask what the set cost (sorry if I missed it in a previous post).

[PaulRhB]

That looks good May I ask what the set cost (sorry if I missed it in a previous post).

Got mine for £265 at the local Salisbury modelshop but have seen it for £250 on the net, for the minor difference after postage I supported my local.

[bmthtrains - David]

If I ever come across the spare funds, I really must get one of these sets, just to have it with the unitown buildings would be a lovely enough model on its own!

 

The kato trams are certainly very nice indeed, and it looks like I am going to need a couple of these on my next long-term project if I stick to my current plan.

 

David

[ste234]

They do look very nice indeed...

It's typical isn't it, i buy a tomix one and an even better one from Kato comes out

And i can't justify another

 

 

[PaulRhB]

The Tomix one is certainly value for money as you can get nearly two for the price of a kato one but you can also see what extra you are getting from kato. If you build a bigger layout including a depot then several of the unpowered Tomix ones would look superb filling out the shed.

Fingers crossed that kato release the track parts as separates and some points so you can extend the set as a street system. The unitrack does attach to it but there aren't any matching street sections to carry on the road alone too. The road plates are 7mm thick so 6mm mdf painted to match might offer some possibilities.

[jackrob]

They look brilliant. They come with a hefty price tag though! 250 quid is a lot of money. Don't think I'll be getting one of these soon

[PaulRhB]

They look brilliant. They come with a hefty price tag though! 250 quid is a lot of money. Don't think I'll be getting one of these soon

 

 

Yes but when the 40-800 basic track plate sells for £160-185, the controller is £40 and the tram £90-100 there's quite a saving buying the 40-900 set.

Helps that it was announced months ago and plenty of time to save the pennies but not enough to walk away with both the sets in the shop!

[johna]

What a great looking Tram starter set. May have to buy one soon

 

johna

[SNCF stephen]

I saw one of these sets in Hobbyrail in Sutton Coldfield and asked if he had a ballpark price for it. When he told me I almost had to sit down. Still the guy said that there was a set that did not include the tram and also the tram is available on its own. It looks absolutely superb.

 

Personally I am continuing the construction of my own tram track. Its a fraction of the price and its not too difficult. Still with Tomix and Kato now producing their own sets of track and with Tomix in league with Dapol maybe we will see both sets more readily available and MAYBE the competition could drive the price down a little.

[PaulRhB]

Still the guy said that there was a set that did not include the tram and also the tram is available on its own. It looks absolutely superb.

 

MAYBE the competition could drive the price down a little.

Not sure it will drop much as once you remove the tram and controllers value from the set the track plate costs about the same as some of the other 'popular' kato track sets.

Combo is £265

Tram £99

Controller £49

so trackplate is £117

(you need to add a second controller for the other circuit)

 

Trackplate on it's own is around £170 so there's a big saving in the set on the three items individually. Ties you down to those parts but a good start.

Now if they produced a set of points, a roadplate to complete the second street side on two sides and a made the straight tram & road section available on its own you could extend it a lot.

 

Tomix's tram track is much cheaper but it's just the paving around the track and the turnout infill doesn't cover the blades at all.

 

I think building your own is going to remain the best way to build a sophisticated tramway system as opposed to a glorified trainset like this one, but it cater for my interest in trams ass a display.

 

Now does anyone do the Prague trams in N?

[Neil]

.... and the tram £90-100 ....

 

 

Looking here might save you a few quid then. I've dealt with Plaza Japan several times, the only downside to excellent service and price is that delivery can take up to a fortnight, but I'd still highly recommend them.

[PaulRhB]

3 new expansion packs from Kato. Basically the different plates available seperately at last.

http://www.katomodel...nitram_e.shtml#

See lower down the page.

 

http://www.osbornsmodels.com/kato-40-804-v54-unitram-lrt-expansion-set-straight-12141-p.asp

[PaulRhB]

Typically I found the expansion piecesabove a week after finally building a board for my set

 

Still need a couple more buildings and to stick down, the 100 odd figures cars and set details but it's getting there. The backscene is the cardboard buildings supplied to go in the middle while you save up for the plastic versions, pity to waste it.

The overhead rail line is mocked up as I need to build some supports to span the road to support that so a Bullet or Eurostar can look pretty.

 

And I made the gap 80mm high to hold the two controllers too.

[bmthtrains - David]

Hi Paul that looks really smart! The curved building on the left is interesting, is that Kato as well?

 

David

[PaulRhB]

David, yes it is the 5th avenue building 23-437

i got it here

http://www.traintrax.co.uk/kato-23437-avenue-building-p-534.html

 

Just a quicky as I like trams while I applaud your scratchbuilt efforts I devote my time to the G and Swiss and the chequebook to this

[mickstoke]

 

My modern image layout has sections of Tomix and Kato tram track. Kato double track tram road is very well made but expensive compared to tomic wide tram track. www.1999.co.jp/eng is where i purchased my first Kato Unitram starter set before UK release and also my Tomix wide tram track. You are liable to pay import vat , a release fee to parcel force and import duty on goods over £135 at this end.

[PaulRhB]

Looks like some more expansion set coming soon.

 

V51, 52, 53

http://www.katomodels.com/product/nmi/unitram.shtml

 

There's a 90 degree crossing in V51 which opens up some interesting possibilities.