A British domestic train from Kato? 800 series available from May 2021

[woodbury22uk]

The instruction sheet and parts list is now available to download..

Hi Mike,

Good find - thanks for posting.

I must admit I am a little confused by the diagram showing the arrangement for multiple working - it seems to be suggesting that Kato are offering number variations.  Is this correct?

cheers

Ben A.

Maybe the versions in the Gaugemaster etc. sets have different numbers. The 282mm radius and needing a straight between reverse curves of a crossover might limit its use on some layouts. It also appears to come with a display track and buffer stop. No R1 station throats allowed.

[njee20]

Interesting. Requiring a straight between reverse curves isn't great, that presumably excludes their own crossovers, which is very odd.

[woodbury22uk]

I think that Kato can be a bit overcautious. The Eurostar minimum radius is 312mm but I know I have had mine safely through the one piece of R1 in the fiddle yard. Let's hope that the reverse curve issue is also a "belts and braces" measure for running at a scale 125mph, which we would only do if putting a video on Facebook, wouldn't we? :-)

[Ben A]

Hello all,

I agree that Kato are cautious, and rightly so IMO.  Always better to under-promise than over-promise.

In addition, and despite the wording, I suspect this is only an issue for the tightest radii.  No4 turnouts have a diverging radius of 481mm, and No6 turnouts a diverging radius of 718mm, so I doubt these will cause an issue.

Having said that of course, until we can test the models for ourselves this is all just (educated) guesswork!

cheers

Ben A.

[njee20]

Yes, I agree with the Eurostar I've run mine through 9" curves without issue. I guess the potential issue with the 800 is the 26m coach lengths, but I'm sure you're right about their pessimism. Although of no geographical relevance for me I look forward to getting my paws on one!

[gc4946]

Rails say they're arriving in June

https://railsofsheffield.com/news/articles/3805-kato-n-scale-class-800

[Newportnobby]

Rails say they're arriving in June

https://railsofsheffield.com/news/articles/3805-kato-n-scale-class-800

Excellent - announcement to arrival in just under 2 years. That's what we like to see.
Other manufacturers please take note.

[osborns]

my info says GWR version first at end of May followed by LNER in June

[Newportnobby]

my info says GWR version first at end of May followed by LNER in June

Aha - but you come before Rails alphabetically
Even better as it's the GWR one I've ordered. Not long after a multi thousand pound bill for a new mancave roof, though :'(

[Trainfish]

Hopefully there will be no hairline cracks in the Kato version 

[railsquid]

Hopefully there will be no hairline cracks in the Kato version 

Apparently the Kato factory has been doing night shifts, and a van from Hammers'R'Us was spotted entering the delivery area earlier.

[Katmandu]

It wouldn't be realistic without them

[Railwaygun]

We may have to add "crack - counters " to the vocabulary!

[osborns]

crack counters -----------no how would hairline scale down anyway?

[gc4946]

GWR version due in at Rails this week

https://railsofsheffield.com/news/articles/3805-kato-n-scale-class-800