News

I would like to share the highlights from "Kato Sales Meeting".
This Kato sales meeting is a monthly event held at Kato headquater to preview new product and also the opportunity that Mr. Hiroshi Kato, who is a president of Sekisui Kinzoku (KATO) hears business update and request from retailers.

I am attending this event from March 2014 but have not shared the detail. I will try to share the update every month as much as possible from now on.

1. Market Overview
Some other retailers reported sales decline this is because of sales tax increase. Consumer made purchase before end of March before the tax rate change and it caused sales deciline on April. This was especially obvious on HO product as their price is higher and impact of tax increas is also big.

2. Product Showcase
Prototype of following products (shown on photo)
- E7 Shinkansen
- Orient Express
- Seibu Series 101
- E655 and special carriage
- 651 Swallow Akagi
- Series 181-100 ASAMA
- Series 10 sleeper coach "Nichinan #3"

E7 Shinkansen

Still not finalizing as product.  Some cars having different color... very very small difference.

C57 Steam Locomotive

E655 Nagomi with Imperial flag parts

Series 181-100 ASAMA

Series 651-100 Swallow Akagi

Finally they finished front signboard (last month the model still showing "Super Hitachi")

 

3. Layout with turntable
Later displayed a layout panel with turntable. This layout will be used on Shizuoka Hobby Show.

This outer oval is just using M1 oval track set.  The turntable can fit within the layout.  The roundhouse shown is not a product.  Just temporarily handcrafted by KATO engineer for reference.  KATO is now developing roundhouse product and it will be released sometime like in August or September time.

Straight and Curved track

KATO is now planning for a track with inspection pit.  Can be laid under roundhouse.

4. Misc.
There were some request from other retailers on new or re-run like following.
E257 Azusa/Kaiji
E351 Super Azusa
E233/231 Tokaido Line
E231/209 Sobu line local (but Kato rep. said this sobu line trains tends to sell very slow from past experience somewhat)

If you have any product you want KATO to produce or re-run, please let me know.  Of course I can't guarantee they do but at least I can let them know there are demands for the item.

Pre-Order for KATO is now open.  Item scheduled to be released on April, 2014

As usual, we offer with 25% off for pre-order item.  Please let us know before Jan. 21.

Item for Super Sale 2nd shipment will be arriving soon.

We will be listing items but it will take time to upload everything.  So we would like to share the item list in advance.  If you have particular item interested, please let us know.  Most of them are only 1 available and transaction will be processed first come, first serve basis.

Item list can be found HERE

We are now taking pre-order for MicroAce item which will be due on April, 2013

Please let us know by Dec. 6 at 23:00 JST.

 

Product Code	Item Description	Pre-Order Price
A3583	Eidan (ex-Tokyo Metro) Series 8000 Tozai Line Edition 6-car basic set	18,600 Yen
A3584	Eidan (ex-Tokyo Metro) Series 8000 Tozai Line Edition 4-car add-on set	11,250 Yen
A7570	Odakyu Romance Car Type 60000 MSE 6-car basic set	16,050 Yen
A7571	Odakyu Romance Car Type 60000 MSE 4-car add-on set	12,525 Yen

 

Some items added which came from outlet sale at Hobby Center Kato.

They are limited item but all new with greatly reduced price.  I have listed them at least more than 30% off from their original price.

3 Types of Sanriku Railway B-Train is available for pre-order.

Cutoff date is Oct. 25 at 23:00 JST.

 

• Kita-Sanriku Railway (fictional railway company used in TV drama "Amachan") Type 36 (2 car set)
• Sanriku Railway Type 36 (Kitto Zutto 1 and Kitto Zutto 2) - 2 car set
• Sanriku Railway Type 36 (Blue / Red) - 2 car set

Each item 1600 JPY

 

Tomytec Tetsudou Colleciton

Chichibu Railway 1000 Series

Scheduled Release: Feb., 2014

Chichibu Railway 1000 Series 3 car set (Blue)

Chichibu Railway 1000 Series 3 car set (Orange)

Chichibu Railway 1000 Series 3 car set (Yellow)

Each with 3060 JPY

 

Motorizing Unit TM-08R (includes motor)
2465 JPY

Trailer Parts TT-03R (required for trailer cars)
731 JPY

0230 Pantograph PS16P (2 Pantograph set)
450 JPY

Order cut-off date/time is Oct. 30 at 23:00 JST

TOMIX NEW Release
Scheduled Release: Feb., 2014

Pre-Order cutover date is Oct. 19 at 23:59 JST. Please reserve yours NOW.
Price below is a special offer and applicable only with your pre-order before cut-off date.

Reference: http://www.tomytec.co.jp/tomix/products/kettei/pdf/20131003-2.pdf
JR West DMU KIHA40/47 Series with Metropolitan area color
92188 JR KIHA47-0 Diesel Car (2 car set with motor) - 7800 JPY
8454 JR KIHA40-2000 Diesel Car (1 car with motor) - 5400 JPY
8455 JR KIHA40-2000 Diesel Car (1 car with no motor) - 3400 JPY

JR Hokkaido DMU KIHA183 Series Limited Express "MARIMO"
92861 JR KIHA183-100 Series Limite Express DMU "MARIMO" - 14300 JPY


Reference: http://www.tomytec.co.jp/tomix/products/kettei/pdf/20131003-3.pdf
JR Electric Locomotive EF63 24&25 (Usui Pass final edition)
98922 JR EF63 Electric Locomotive (2 Loco but only 1 motor) - 11200 JPY

JR Freight Container Wagon KOKI100/101
92862 JR KOKI100/101 Container Wagon (12 car set with no container) - 10100 JPY

Private Container
3149 Private Container U47A-38000 Nippon Express (2 containers set) - 940 JPY

TOMYTEC Tetsudou Collection

TOBU Railway & Aizu Railway Series 6050

Scheduled release: January, 2014

TOBU 6050 (renewed) 2 Car Set
TOBU 6050 (new built and panto added) 2 Car Set
AIZU 6050-200 2 Car Set
2040 JPY for each set

TM-08R Motorizing Unit
2465 JPY per item

TT-04R Parts set for trailer unit (non-motorized car)
731 JPY per item

0258 Pantograph (includes 2 pantograph)
450 JPY per item

Order cut-off date/time is Oct. 19 at 23:00 JST