Passenger trains: How does Kato do it?

[daniel_leavitt2000]

I have several full passenger trains from Kato. These include the Narita Express, Shinkansen 500 (I can't state the look of the current E series) and now the re-release of the Eurostar.

These trains are some of the best looking in the industry and operate flawlessly. But what surprises me is cost. The full 500 with add on sets (that's 16 cars!) was less than $300. A full 20 car Eurostar set can by bought for less than $400.

So that equals to about $20 a including engines. Our passenger cars (with the exception of Kato) typically go for $30-35. And they are made in China. And they use glue.

Why. Why can't we do this here?

[peteski]

I have no inside-knowledge but I'm speculating that probably because they do everything in-house: design, mold-making and product manufacturing.  That way they can control quality and cost.  Plus they make these in fairly large quantities so the R&D and tooling costs are spread out over larger volume of models.  I could be totally wrong though. 

Also, the other cars you are talking about have lots of fancy doo-dads added on (free standing grabs, etc.)  That is a lot of additional labor. But it seems that the U.S. modelers want all that extra stuff. Kato models usually have lots of fine detail molded with the shell. If there are any small add-on parts, those are user-installed.

Look at the price for MT heavyweight cars - they are in-line with Kato offerings.  They don't have all the added-on doo-dads on them. They are more like Kato models (including the delicate detail engraving).

[mplsjct]

Not a big fan of the glue.

Your results may vary, but I prefer to be able to dis-assemble and re-assemble my models, in the event I feel compelled to strip and repaint.

So, I prefer the construction methods of Micro-Trains and Kato.

[jagged ben]

It seems obvious how they do it.  The question seems to be why no one else does.

I have also admit that I do prefer separate details, which is some that Kato pretty much doesn't do.  Their products often strike me as looking more toy-like than competitors (while the competitors' models run more like toys.   ) .   I realize that this is subjective and a matter of preference, but it may be much easier for Kato to not use glue by not having separate detailing.   

[peteski]

I have also admit that I do prefer separate details, which is some that Kato pretty much doesn't do.  Their products often strike me as looking more toy-like than competitors (while the competitors' models run more like toys.   ) .   I realize that this is subjective and a matter of preference, but it may be much easier for Kato to not use glue by not having separate detailing.

Very subjective. 

My view is just the opposite: most separately-applied details are out of scale (too thick) and often the glue is painfully visible.  To me those models look clunky and toy-like.  If molded-on details are close to scale, they look more realistic to me.  Kato (and Micro-Trains to name another company) seem to have perfected the realistic-looking molded-on details.

[thomasjmdavis]

The other thing Kato deserves credit for is how well their models track.  My Super Chief and El Cap cars have no problem negotiating trackwork or turnouts that other brands don't handle so well.  Kato is definitely "standard" for passenger cars and locomotives on my layout. 

[peteski]

The other thing Kato deserves credit for is how well their models track.  My Super Chief and El Cap cars have no problem negotiating trackwork or turnouts that other brands don't handle so well.  Kato is definitely "standard" for passenger cars and locomotives on my layout.

Now if only the same could be said for their unreliable knuckle couplers.  I absolutely adore Kato and their otherwise superb models, but the couplers are a real downer.

[Jim Costello]

Kato does it because of a number of reasons, firstly their domestic market is far,far  greater than the US market and secondly,there is no overseas shipping costs and also their models are handled a lot
more than others as they are put away they after use. There are not many permanent layouts.
Kato always has had good running/rolling  models, my first models from Kato/Seksuki  in the late 60's would find the depression on the table.

Jim

[CBQ Fan]

Now if only the same could be said for their unreliable knuckle couplers.  I absolutely adore Kato and their otherwise superb models, but the couplers are a real downer.

I have had no issues with Kato couplers since the original run of bookshelf 6 & 4 car sets in the 90's. I have coupling issues with WOT cars and Rapido.

[mcjaco]

I have had no issues with Kato couplers since the original run of bookshelf 6 & 4 car sets in the 90's. I have coupling issues with WOT cars and Rapido.

I was going to say the same thing.  I use them on all my Amtrak sets, and they never come apart, have the slinky effect, etc. 

[ljudice]

I think Kato is what it is because it is Japanese. 

Their #1, 2, 3 focus is quality.


Much of this is explained here:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W._Edwards_Deming

[OldEastRR]

The problem we have with not having N models of the prototypes we want is we were all born in the wrong country. Seems like Japanese and German N scalers have few complaints about their selections.

[ljudice]

The problem we have with not having N models of the prototypes we want is we were all born in the wrong country. Seems like Japanese and German N scalers have few complaints about their selections.

Not sure about Japanese, but German and other Euro modellers have EXACTLY the same frustrations we do.

[peteski]

I didn't think Kato sold any European models directly. In my experience Kato's European models are usually sold by Lemke(/Hobbytrain).  I also have Kato model commissioned by another German manufacturer (I don't recall their name and I'm not at home to check right now).