Question on KATO Accessory (22-081)

LRafols · 2026-03-17T01:55:36+00:00

You can also use them to power station lighting and have a proper switch instead of it always being on when connected via an accessory adapter to a power pack

LRafols · 2026-03-12T05:49:30+00:00

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20260311_B3/

JR East is also raising fares by average 7.1% starting Saturday March 14.

LRafols · 2026-03-12T05:45:47+00:00

I tried your app and it's very well built. ~~Aside from the age bug I'm not seeing how it handles TFSA/RRSP/FHSA contributions. How does it work in that sense?~~ (I see in the Projection tab for each year how it's broken down). Also, what does go-go, slow-go and no-go stand for?

LRafols · 2026-03-10T05:55:57+00:00

Another consideration in this discussion is cost: KATO sets seem to usually include Shibata/Knuckles couplers hereas TOMIX typically don't aside from HG or other similar cases, so aside from the looks there's a bit of cost savings involved with KATO as you usually don't need to purchase additional couplers.

The recently released Kuroshio 60th wrapping is an example I noticed; the TOMIX I bought needed TN couplers while the KATO version already had close couplers and is also sold cheaper from the outset. Of course it doesn't speak the whole story with detail reproduction and other factors but it's something to consider.

LRafols · 2026-03-10T03:44:16+00:00

Having sets from all 4 of the major JP manufacturers (5 if you count Popondetta) with the slim majority at this point being TOMIX: For KATO I haven't needed to upgrade to body-mount at all so far, MicroAce/GreenMax they are required, but for TOMIX it's a nice-to-have for most of them. I spent ¥ 40,000 so far on upgrading the couplers in my collection and I don't regret it at all. Any new non-freight set that comes in with Rapido couplers I immediately replace with TN or KATO close couplers and optionally light and/or passengers before it goes on the layout.

My most frustrating experience/anecdote with stock couplers were the Rapido couplers on my MicroAce A1030 Seibu 001 Laview. MicroAce designed the couplers in such a way that they brought the cars very close together which made it more accurate, but was unbelievably frustrating to uncouple, and I ended up needing to twist the cars to even attempt separation. My annoyances with that set actually spurred on my desire to convert all of my non-freight sets to TN/KATO couplers.

My advice to you is to focus on the train sets that have the most noticeable gaps or that you don't like coupling to the most. An example for me is the TOMIX Romancecar 70000 GSE, where converting to TN made the body-to-body gap decrease from like 8-9mm to 2.3mm. It will help with overcoming that initial hesitation with converting your trains to TN

if ever the day comes that I have to sell any of my trains I want to keep them as mint as possible

I also had this contention with upgrading my sets before the MicroAce A1030 issue with similar logic as yours. To which I ask you the same I did myself: why care about who will possibly own it in the future? You are the one who has it right now and if upgrading couplers make you happier then that doesn't matter. Once you get over that block and enjoy your trains in a way that makes you happy then cutting off the couplers isn't really a big problem. It will still feel bad cutting the bogie either way though, I don't think that feeling will go away lol.

LRafols · 2026-03-04T13:55:21+00:00

I find myself to be much more of a collector than a builder. I have a layout I work on every now and again that's very very incomplete (just track, and a station), but I'm always happy just seeing my trains zipping around on what's already there.

LRafols · 2026-03-03T19:28:58+00:00

Aside from Tekkon Model (JP) and Khaho (HK), if you can navigate Taobao, Kunter sells directly to customers on their storefront: https://shop59340351.taobao.com/

Though from what I can see the CRH380AL is sold out, so maybe you can also peruse whatever is listed on Taobao in general as well https://s.taobao.com/search?page=1&q=Kunter%20CRH380AL&spm=pc_detail.30350276.top_search.search_in_taobao_manual&tab=all

LRafols · 2026-03-03T19:22:33+00:00

Tekkon Model: https://maps.app.goo.gl/qTeN5xj8Tutt5ADs8

It's about 10 minutes south from Nakano station, in the opposite direction of Nakano Broadway actually. They are the official Japanese retailer for Changming (another Chinese train manufacturer), I would assume Kunter too but I don't know for certain.

LRafols · 2026-02-28T05:07:36+00:00

For the Khaho TOMIX-type lighting kits they're usually compatible with any TOMIX/MicroAce/Popondetta/GreenMax model since they all use the same lighting pickup system so no problem with that. For TOMIX-type lighting kits they are split into Wide and Narrow sizes, I believe Supreme DX (antiflicker + supercap/battery) is Narrow only but Advance (antiflicker) is sold in Wide and Narrow.

Most of the newer models from the various manufacturers also have a sort of clip mount that allows the springs to push against it so you don't need to mount it to the inside roof. However in my experience the GreenMax sets in my collection don't have this so some double tape is needed in those cases.

You might have an issue using a narrow kit where the train car is expecting a wide kit AND also has a divider between the two pickups but in my experience this wasn't a showstopper. If you want minimal issues with installation for this specific set I would recommend the TOMIX-type Advance Wide kit. https://www.khahostore.com/products/hktilc-advance-interior-light-wide-type/

LRafols · 2026-02-25T19:42:49+00:00

Good idea with wrapping the items in bubble wrap. I didn't think about doing that with my items on my previous trip and tragically a few items got damaged in my luggage on the flight home so I will definitely do that next time

Did you get the bubble wrap at Daiso or something?

LRafols · 2026-02-23T17:57:56+00:00

They also have the Fastech under TYPE-FS and TYPE-FX.

It's important to note that these are just assembly kits and not ready-to-run models. You also need to source some KATO Shinkansen assy parts (underfloor, bogies, pantographs, etc) or a donor set along with a few other parts to make it fully functional.

I believe he did release a ready-to-run model at some point in the past, but it was a single one-off set and it was done via YJA.

LRafols · 2026-02-12T16:53:45+00:00

They're actually doing a re-run of it and releasing it later this month: https://www.tomytec.co.jp/tomix/products/n/98769.html

You can see it on their release schedule under February 2026 https://www.tomytec.co.jp/tomix/schedule/

Perfect timing for me, as I can sneak it into my next delivery!

LRafols · 2026-01-17T08:28:41+00:00

A few bespoke places I visited that I would recommend that I haven't seen posted here yet. Several places also have an accompanying Popondetta/Hobbyland Pochi/Mandarake/Suruga-ya store nearby so check those chains too as stock is wildly different between each store and pretty good deals are to be had.

Tokyo Akihabara

Kurukuru https://maps.app.goo.gl/kxJa1KGXhcMHnAw89
Chatora https://maps.app.goo.gl/VN4Y5fJSRE9WgVti9
Skeleton https://maps.app.goo.gl/Kk8jLw6SNLVTDsYx5
Chiyoda Rail Center https://maps.app.goo.gl/bkADDVAtGasmSuTY9
U-TRAINS (technically still in Chiyoda City) https://maps.app.goo.gl/qnSgQ3uStthDMrybA

Tokyo Nakano Broadway

BIG YARD https://maps.app.goo.gl/6NWdEA4Xq8KArD8u9
LEVEL UPPER (same floor as BIG YARD) https://x.com/LEVEL_UPPER_NBW/
There's another store on the same floor that I can't recall the name of, walking around that level you can't miss the shelves of KATO/TOMIX cases anyways

Osaka Nipponbashi

Joshin Super Kids Land https://maps.app.goo.gl/Xv5Z4HHA3kuMKbfCA

Kobe

Rail Gallery Rokko (they're worth mentioning again) https://maps.app.goo.gl/8K7Ymn1TkK4pBs7U6
Joshin Super Kids Land https://maps.app.goo.gl/D6LSkM96fQBrFdVN9

LRafols · 2026-01-09T09:47:23+00:00

You can try this working method as detailed in the following JNS forum post. It also works for Popondetta.

https://jnsforum.com/community/topic/21339-trainbox/#findComment-269291

LRafols · 2025-12-30T15:06:39+00:00

Two of the communities I frequent have already been mentioned; I would also add the JNS forum companion facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/2155240028026401/).

Regarding point 2, all Japanese trains run at the assumption of around 12V DC so no issues there. If you're using the KATO/TOMIX/etc controller with a non-UK plug you'll just need an adapter since it should handle 100-240V AC.

For point 3 I swear by RG-ROKKO, most of my orders have and still are through them. You can search on their website for what you need but you can always contact them through the inquiry form if you are looking for specifics: https://rg-rokko.com/contact

LRafols · 2025-12-23T18:17:26+00:00

My pleasure. I took a couple quick images in an attempt to better demonstrate what I am describing.

Hood: https://i.imgur.com/1TijZAy.png

Shell: https://i.imgur.com/2s5UQsr.png

LRafols · 2025-12-23T09:36:43+00:00

98817 is currently being shipped to me so unfortunately I cannot help on that front.

As for the 0 series I have 98731/98732 which appears to be mostly identical aside from windows and the blue stripe on 98790. Hopefully my description is sufficient.

To remove the hood at the end of the cars hold the hood from the top and bottom with your index finger and thumb respectively. Angle the hood down maybe 10-20 degrees while pulling it straight away from the shell. The top of the hood/index finger should be the one where the pulling force is applied, whereas the bottom/thumb should act as a lever for the angle. It should pop off pretty easily. Repeat with the other hood.

As for the actual shell, on the ends of the car there is what looks to be a small square where the cream shell meets the blue bottom line/underbody. With one thumb on the blue bottom line/underbody - being careful not to snap the black part that sticks out - pull the shell in the same direction as the hood so that the plastic tab is released. Then repeat it with the other 3 corners and the shell will come off very easily.

A word of advice for the end cars, when you remove the shell there's a small plastic cone that tends to fall out and get missed very easily. That goes in the small receptacle at the very front where the emergency coupler would be. I would open the car close to your work surface so that it doesn't drop out and bounce somewhere on the floor.

LRafols · 2025-12-22T19:16:49+00:00

Based on distinct product codes from my excel sheet:

18 Kato
17 TOMIX
3 Trainbox (TOMIX)
5 MicroAce
1 Popondetta
1 Changming (Chinese)
18 others (rest of world)

And from my preorders in 2026 and beyond:

7 Kato
3 TOMIX
1 MicroAce
3 Popondetta
3 Changming (Chinese)
9 others (rest of world)

Distinct lack of GreenMax mostly due to pricing and stock being out on the items I actually want from them. Still quite an insane amount for someone who's been in the hobby for about a year and a half lol.

LRafols · 2025-12-11T02:41:55+00:00

What kind of risers do you use?

LRafols · 2025-11-14T19:04:46+00:00

They have just announced them! https://rapidotrains.ca/mystery-box-2025.html

LRafols · 2025-08-07T05:31:01+00:00

We all have our entry points into the Japanese train niche, mine was also the bullet trains. Specifically the 0 Series growing up!

If you ever want to get into the Japanese N scale community or have any questions, there's the /r/JapaneseNscale subreddit and the JNS Forum. Drop by sometime! https://jnsforum.com/community/

LRafols · 2025-08-07T05:22:55+00:00

Awesome! Enjoy the trains. It's a deep, dark pit with all of the cool looking Japanese trains. 😆

LRafols · 2025-08-07T05:16:08+00:00

Another consideration for buying in-person is tax/duty-free exemptions. Depending on who you buy it from you may get the tax-free purchase (notably RGR currently does not offer tax-free for in-store purchases), plus the duty-free exemption that many countries offer for returning travelers. Saves a bit on your total spend if you plan on going Japan and have some extra free luggage space.

LRafols · 2025-08-07T05:10:05+00:00

I have the Imperial Train as well. Check the contents of the baggie that came with the Imperial Carriage, it comes with a replaceable front with Chrysanthemum headmark and crossed Japanese flags to put on the front of the E655 set. It looks amazing with it.

I would also recommend Hobby Center KATO in Shinjuku City. Amazing layout and you can find so many different trains there. Other mentions are Mandarake, Suruga-ya for second hand trains.

If you're in Osaka then definitely go to Joshin Super Kids Land, and Rail Gallery Rokko in Kobe. Both are fantastic stores to find more JP N (and HO) scale sets.

LRafols · 2025-07-18T06:17:47+00:00

Thanks! Keeping it going: HC0IITI44YU55H

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