Kato “Seven Stars In Kyushu” Set

[Dwight in Toronto]

@MK - Exciting trip indeed … and it would be wonderful if you could score a Seven Stars set; fingers crossed for you.  Here’s hoping there’s enough aviation fuel to get you there and back again!

I think there may have already been two versions of the Seven Stars model.  The more recent description highlights interior changes which correspond to renovations done on the prototype, including a piano in the lounge car, and yes - “DCC friendly”.  Since mine doesn’t have the piano, and was as far away from being DCC friendly as one could get, I suspect that Plaza Japan must have sent me one of the earlier sets.  There may well be two different Kato part/model numbers … I’ll try to look into it.

[Dwight in Toronto]

It looks like the first release was model #10-1519, back in 2018/19 (which is the set that Plaza Japan sent me in February 2026  ). 

The more recent, updated set is #10-2168.  From the Plaza Japan website:
- “Expected release date is Jun 30, 2026”
- “DCC friendly for easy digital control and sound installation”

I couldn’t find any poop on decoder specifics - ie - EM13 or whatever.

[peteski]

Well, if it is designed for easy sound install then I doubt it will be EM13 or similar.

[Dwight in Toronto]

Well, if it is designed for easy sound install then I doubt it will be EM13 or similar.

What I saw only said DCC; no mention of sound.  In which case, slipping in an EM13 decoder would indeed be easy-peasy.  Installing a more full-featured ESU 58731, say, with a speaker etc would certainly be more involved.

[peteski]

What I saw only said DCC; no mention of sound.  In which case, slipping in an EM13 decoder would indeed be easy-peasy.  Installing a more full-featured ESU 58731, say, with a speaker etc would certainly be more involved.

I went by what you supposedly quoted from  Plaza Japan:

The more recent, updated set is #10-2168.  From the Plaza Japan website:
- “Expected release date is Jun 30, 2026”
- “DCC friendly for easy digital control and sound installation”

At first I thought they might have made accommodations for a speaker (like they did in the recent Amtrak Charger loco), but thinking about it, there is no fuel tank in that area.

[MK]

That must be a typo on Plaza's part.  Hobby Search and Kato's websites just say "DCC friendly".

I doubt the loco has changed so maybe a wide DCC board (a la Digitrax K0A) for the loco and a FL12(N) for the last car for the tail lights.  Just a guess here.  I can't see using an EM13 without major modifications to the loco.  Then again, those crazy Japanese...

@Dwight in Toronto since the new set hasn't been release yet, I would expect Plaza to send you the most current set available.  Unfortunately even if it's 5-6 years ago.  I'm surprised they still have any in stock.  With these limited edition sets, they sell out quick.

[Dwight in Toronto]

Pete - right you are - the quote that I posted from Plaza Japan DID mention sound; I discombobulated that.

MK - yup, they would have sent the only version then available.  Here’s hoping you can snag one of the new sets, after which ‘much will be revealed’!

[peteski]

Mike,  the model Dwight has already accepts any of the typical Kato "wide body" light board replacement decoders. I highly doubt Kato redesigned the chassis for another type of "light board" and a decoder.  I suppose they might have produced a new PC board with a 6-pin DCC plug on it.  But most of the "wide body" decoders likely already fit the older version of this model. The problem is specifically with the piggyback E24 nano decoder ESU uses on their wide body decoder. That was a very poor choice ESU made with so many models using that format board not having enough vertical clearance for that thick decoder.   I wonder if the Soundtraxx version of the wide body sound decoder would already fit that model? 

The sound compatibility might be done my making creatign some space for a speaker.  Just a thought  . . .

[MK]

Agree Peteski.

Funny, I just came up from the basement workshop where I'm in the process of installing a Digitrax DN167K0A decoder into a Kato EF210 locomotive.  The insides look just like that.  Frame, light pipe, light board, etc.

[MK]

@Dwight in Toronto just to close the loop.

It was a FANTASTIC rail fanning and hobby shop raiding trip, even with the two typhoons and a 7.2 off shore earthquake (no Tsunami).

Unfortunately, the release date was pushed out to the end of July instead of the originally planned end of June when I was there.  (Someone is going to fired given how absolute Japanese society is!)  Bummer!  But I did find one shop which had the set you have but the used price was close to the upcoming new set so I didn't bite.

Looks like I will have to wait for my next trip to Japan.  But I did come back with my usual HUGE haul. 

[Dwight in Toronto]

I’ve been wondering how the trip went, and I was going to message you imminently to find out.
When you get a chance, post some pics - model train stuff of course, but also anything else that was novel, unique, or just plain interesting. 

[Point353]

[Dwight in Toronto]

Fantastic find … thanks for posting.  It is SO interesting to see just how spectacular ‘the real thing’ truly is.  The carpentry, decorative colour palette, luxury touches etc are incredible.

SP’s Morning Daylight has often been called the most beautiful train ever to roll the rails.  And as much as I adore my 13-coach N scale Daylight, I have to say that seeing the exterior view of the real Seven Stars makes me think that the latter wins the beauty contest. 

Side comment - when I got around to putting coach lighting in Car #1, I smiled to see that Kato had included the tiny piano!  Such a great model. 

[randgust]

Wow.  That video is incredible