Kato Oriental Express Complete Set with engine

[to2leo]

I finally am able to complete my Kato Oriental Express.
3 months in collecting, this has got to be my most expensive set yet.

D51 498 オリエントエクスプレス’88 タイプ




The engine does not have directional headlight.  It seems Kato just used an
older engine model that they had and added the new paint style.

However, the engine runs better than C62 especially going downhill and maneuvering curves.

[Bernard]

Leo - Congratulations on the complete set, I've seen it on ebay for a lot more that what Hobby Search was offering it for. Due to the financial state of the USA I had to rethink my spending and passed when it was restocked :'(

That is surprising that Kato remodeled one of their older engines for the Orient Express. Minitrix did this with their sets in the 80s. I have the Sir Nigel & Britannia and it is the same chassis but a different shell.

[Martijn Meerts]

I have a full set on order as well, bit pricey but I've always loved the Orient Express. Not just the train itself, but the whole concept of traveling such a long distance on a luxury train just sounds great =)

As for the directional headlights, it doesn't need them. The locomotive would've never ran in reverse other than during shunting. The loco also isn't Kato, but Kato Roundhouse, they tend to re-release older engines with different colour schemes / special versions.

[Bernard]

Kato Roundhouse? Is that like what Atlas did using Kato motors (That's what my LHS informed me a while ago)?

[to2leo]

Thanks for the comments, Bernard and Martijn.  I am curious about the differences between Kato and Kato Roundhouse too.  Do tell  ;D

[Martijn Meerts]

I think Kato Roundhouse usually only makes the more special models. They're also more difficult to get and more limited than normal Kato stuff.

Quality wise, I think they're pretty much the same, although my Kato Roundhouse Paleo Express set has a locomotive which has very visible wires running from the loco to the tender =)

[to2leo]

I think Kato Roundhouse usually only makes the more special models. They're also more difficult to get and more limited than normal Kato stuff.

Quality wise, I think they're pretty much the same, although my Kato Roundhouse Paleo Express set has a locomotive which has very visible wires running from the loco to the tender =)

In other words, novelty items with focus on face value.  Not appearance but what it represents.

Thanks, I wonder if Tomix have a brand that is similar in its philosophy...Tomytec?

[Martijn Meerts]

Well, I just received my complete Orient Express set. I have to say, everything is extremely well done. The cars look amazing, it's like they spent a little bit extra to make them as good as they possibly can. Even the box it comes in is sturdier than Kato's usual boxes (And it comes in a nice Orient Express blue colour ;))

The locomotive looks real nice as well at first glance. It's an older style Kato with the motor still inside the cabin (phew ;))

I probably paid too much for it, it wasn't that easy to get anymore, but in the end I feel it was worth it. It's been a while since I opened a box, looked at the content, and got a smile on my face =)

Now I just need to wait a few months before I can run the full set and do it any justice  :'(


Edit: Well, I've got an ALMOST complete set. It seems the Orient Express never ran with only the D51-498, but it was always accompanied by the EF58-61 (Imperial electric locomotive). It also ran with just the EF58-61. Conveniently, Kato did a rerun of the EF58-61 in February, so one of them is on the way to me =)

[Shashinka]

EF5861 is one of my favs. I managed to snag one for about £30 a few months ago and love how that little KATO (big KATO) runs. Probably the last engine I bought before refocusing my monies to other projects.

[Martijn Meerts]

Well, received my EF58-61, so now I really have the complete Orient Express. I have to say the locomotive looks absolutely amazing. Never was a big fan of the older dark brown electrics with the weird bogies (some will claim that's heresy ;)), but after seeing this particular model in the flesh so to speak, WOW! =)

[Martijn Meerts]

I was able to clear some space in my room yesterday, just enough for a small double oval of track. Ran Tomix's N700 and new 0-2000 series, as well as the rapi:t. They all seemed to have the same problem, but I think the curves might be the cause of that ;)

However, I then put on the Kato EF58-61, and I have to say that that one is by far the best running N-scale locomotive I've seen. It's very heavy, and probably has some impressive flywheels, since when you give it say 9 volts, it'll actually slowly accelerate, the motor really needs to work to get the thing moving. Stopping is even better, it's almost like it's a digital train, comes to a nice and smooth stop. Heck, the thing even sounds great ;)

[to2leo]

I was able to clear some space in my room yesterday, just enough for a small double oval of track. Ran Tomix's N700 and new 0-2000 series, as well as the rapi:t. They all seemed to have the same problem, but I think the curves might be the cause of that ;)

However, I then put on the Kato EF58-61, and I have to say that that one is by far the best running N-scale locomotive I've seen. It's very heavy, and probably has some impressive flywheels, since when you give it say 9 volts, it'll actually slowly accelerate, the motor really needs to work to get the thing moving. Stopping is even better, it's almost like it's a digital train, comes to a nice and smooth stop. Heck, the thing even sounds great ;)

Thanks for the update, MArtijn! You are making me to take a second look on the EF58-61!  Love to see some pics or vids!

[Martijn Meerts]

I'll see if I can take some pictures and/or videos this weekend. They won't be spectacular due to the already mentioned lack of space ;)

[Shashinka]

However, I then put on the Kato EF58-61, and I have to say that that one is by far the best running N-scale locomotive I've seen. It's very heavy, and probably has some impressive flywheels, since when you give it say 9 volts, it'll actually slowly accelerate, the motor really needs to work to get the thing moving. Stopping is even better, it's almost like it's a digital train, comes to a nice and smooth stop. Heck, the thing even sounds great ;)

I got to agree with that. I found my EF5861 to be the best running KATO, I have as well, thoguh my EF66 is up there with it.

[Fenway Park]

Kato Roundhouse is used by Kato to produce models where they cannot guarantee 100% accuracy. The livery will be spot on but the loco/EMU/DMU/coach set will not be that accurate.

It's Kato's way of issuing one off models without the expense of re tooling. Still look good though.

[Martijn Meerts]

Here are some pictures of the EF58-61. Unfortunately, pictures don't do it justice (especially not pictures taken in a hurry with bad lighting and in a room full of dust =))

The locomotive is almost as long as the C62 including tender, and weighs about twice as much as a C62 ;)

[to2leo]

Wow this is definitely a nice looking engine, thanks for the pictures, Martijin! 

Given the weight and the 'all wheel drive', I wonder how many cars can this engine pull?

One thing that really put me off is the use of Rapido coupler in the n gauge world!  It is like admiring a beautiful engine and then splat this large out of place coupler sticks out like a sore thumb!

[Martijn Meerts]

Yeah, luckily the couplers can be replaced though. Something I'll be doing once I really start building something and running trains regularly ;)

[Welshbloke]

That is surprising that Kato remodeled one of their older engines for the Orient Express. Minitrix did this with their sets in the 80s. I have the Sir Nigel & Britannia and it is the same chassis but a different shell.

More likely it was the other way around. Minitrix have offered several German 4-6-2s and I would not be surprised if the British locos used the same chassis.

[veejo]

Hate to sound dumb,
I've got the set BUT it seems the stanadrd set isn't a complete set.
I've got blue 2 boxes of carriages, and a plastic box with the round house loco.
So what bits am I missing from a COMPLETE set

[CaptOblivious]

Hate to sound dumb,
I've got the set BUT it seems the stanadrd set isn't a complete set.
I've got blue 2 boxes of carriages, and a plastic box with the round house loco.
So what bits am I missing from a COMPLETE set

How is that not complete? Kato only released two box sets 10-561 and 10-562, plus the Roundhouse D51. That's all there is, or at least, all that Kato made :D

[alpineaustralia]

One thing that really put me off is the use of Rapido coupler in the n gauge world!  It is like admiring a beautiful engine and then splat this large out of place coupler sticks out like a sore thumb!

It is also a bug bear of mine and it is for that reason I made the decision early on to convert all rapido couplers to knuckle couplers.

[Martijn Meerts]

Hate to sound dumb,
I've got the set BUT it seems the stanadrd set isn't a complete set.
I've got blue 2 boxes of carriages, and a plastic box with the round house loco.
So what bits am I missing from a COMPLETE set

Depends a bit on how you want to model it. There's been about 6-7 locomotives used in Japan to pull the train on various parts of the country.

From what I've been able to figure out, the Orient Express never ran with only the steam locomotive (the Kato Roundhouse release), but always had the EF58-61 running along with it. I think they just hooked up the D51 498 in front of the EF58-61 for special runs.

[to2leo]

Depends a bit on how you want to model it. There's been about 6-7 locomotives used in Japan to pull the train on various parts of the country.

From what I've been able to figure out, the Orient Express never ran with only the steam locomotive (the Kato Roundhouse release), but always had the EF58-61 running along with it. I think they just hooked up the D51 498 in front of the EF58-61 for special runs.

In other words, D51 is used to blow hot air and smoke!

[Martijn Meerts]

It's there to look good, and it does a good job at it ;)

[CaptOblivious]

Hate to sound dumb,
I've got the set BUT it seems the stanadrd set isn't a complete set.
I've got blue 2 boxes of carriages, and a plastic box with the round house loco.
So what bits am I missing from a COMPLETE set

veejo, could you elaborate?

[veejo]

Quote from a previous post
"From what I've been able to figure out, the Orient Express never ran with only the steam locomotive (the Kato Roundhouse release), but always had the EF58-61 running along with it. I think they just hooked up the D51 498 in front of the EF58-61 for special runs",

Although I have the 13 peice set, It doesn't have this engine. A quick google and resultant picture reveals it comes with the emblem on the loco, etc like the steam loco.
Non for sale on ebay, but if I can find one, it would definitely make a great 14th item to the set, and match it very well.

[Martijn Meerts]

The EF58-61 had another production run when Kato released the Orient Express. Should be possible to find one somewhere.

The locomotive itself doesn't come with the header board, but it should be included with the Orient Express car set(s).

[jappomania]

The EF58-61 had another production run when Kato released the Orient Express. Should be possible to find one somewhere.

The locomotive itself doesn't come with the header board, but it should be included with the Orient Express car set(s).

BTW it's not the first time that EF58 61 was released, the fist was 5-6 years ago whit imperial train set ) whit imperial arms and 2 jap falgs

ciao
Massimo

[Martijn Meerts]

The current release is the same as the old one, with the Japanese flags etc, but they come as additional parts.

The Orient Express car sets come with a header board for the EF58 ;)


(Btw, you should be careful with saying Jap, it's still considered discriminating/degoratory for many Japanese)

[jappomania]

The current release is the same as the old one, with the Japanese flags etc, but they come as additional parts.

The Orient Express car sets come with a header board for the EF58 ;)


(Btw, you should be careful with saying Jap, it's still considered discriminating/degoratory for many Japanese)

sure???

I use this nick from 10 years, I've thinking like a composite name Giappone+mania (crazy for Japan or man that love all things from Japan) in Italian language
so reduced is giappomania (whit J because is much better for me)
I'm really sorry if someone find my name offensive :-(
thank's for this info

ciao
Massimo

[Martijn Meerts]

Oh, I wasn't referring to your nickname, just the word "Jap".. While it makes sense to shorten Japanese to "Jap", it's a term used a lot during WW2 (and before that as well) .. Sort of like calling an American a Yank or something. Most won't mind, but a few won't like it ;)

[clem24]

GREAT NEWS! Looks like this set is being re-released in Feb 2012! It's oddly absent from their English pages though... Looks like the D51 will also be re-released, but based on the recent D51 instead of the old one! Yippee!!

http://www.1999.co.jp/10077140
http://www.1999.co.jp/10077141
http://www.1999.co.jp/10167008

I've been holding on paying the exorbitant prices for these in the hopes that Kato would re-release it, and I guess my prayers have been answered! Woohoo another $400+ down the drain (better than double that though LOL).

[Webskipper]

Didn't they double head the steamers?

I have the D51 SL and D51 498 and that's what I plan to do to pull my passenger cars.

Waiting for the front couplers for my Kato Mikado's to double head them. DCC.

[to2leo]

I wonder if Kato will add new tooling to the steam engine?

[foxhsu]

Kato will use the new D51-498 tooling-good news.
The bad news is, this time is really selling in Japan only. Online retailer all deny international sell so far.

[Martijn Meerts]

Might have to try and get the new D51, even though I already have the old Kato Roundhouse one, as well as a MicroAce D51-498 (not the Orient Express version).


Not sure if they ran double headed steam, but they often used the imperial EF58-61 in combination with the D51-498.

[westfalen]

Might have to try and get the new D51, even though I already have the old Kato Roundhouse one, as well as a MicroAce D51-498 (not the Orient Express version).


Not sure if they ran double headed steam, but they often used the imperial EF58-61 in combination with the D51-498.

D51 498 might have been the only operating steam loco JR East had at the time, we're talking 1988 here.

[to2leo]

Wondering if BTrains will have this avaialble???

[rpierce000]

SURE!

How many do you want? 10? 20? 100?

bob@bttrains.com and let me know. We will have a box coming over in January with some stuff and another BIG skid around the first of March to feed Supertrain 2012 (if we go). If the order gets to be more than 5 units I will knock 5% off of everyone's order.

Bob

[clem24]

We will have a box coming over in January with some stuff and another BIG skid around the first of March to feed Supertrain 2012 (if we go).

Might be a little late for Supertrain... Applications for exhibitors was due back in November and after that, you're on a wait list. The list of exhibitors thus far seem quite full! I guess the good news for me is, if you did NOT come, I'd save a ton of money...   Would be nice to meet you though.  

[to2leo]

FYI, there might be more options to pre-order your the Kato 2016-2.  The pre-order price is at 9000 Yen.
http://global.rakuten.com/ja/store/a-toys/item/1000000293043/



渋谷模型楽天 rakuten@shibuyamokei.co.jp via rakuten.co.jp

Thank you for your inquiry with Shibuyamokei. We could  be ship to
worldwide. Please choose country on the website.
but, This product will be ship  after sales on manufacturer, it will be
february in this year.
Unfortunately,We cannot put it on hold for you at October this year.
Thanks.

with Kind regards,

Shibuyamokei.


■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■

渋谷模型
〒150-0031 東京都渋谷区桜丘町３－１　ＴＮビル３Ｆ
TEL:03-3463-9600 FAX:03-5728-6250
担当者：木村・大森・橋田
店舗連絡先: rakuten@shibuyamokei.co.jp

[Martijn Meerts]

Doesn't look like the Orient Express version though.. The Orient Express version had various markings on the tender

[linkey]

Might have to try and get the new D51, even though I already have the old Kato Roundhouse one, as well as a MicroAce D51-498 (not the Orient Express version).


Not sure if they ran double headed steam, but they often used the imperial EF58-61 in combination with the D51-498.

D51 498 might have been the only operating steam loco JR East had at the time, we're talking 1988 here.

That is correct, I jsut did some internet searching and found out that only D51 498 was the only Steam Locomotive at that time that was restored and able to run. The C57's were not looked at until after the 90's.

There were three Steam Trains in the JR East but only 1 was operational (being D51 489) The other steam trains were the C57 180 (Operational in 1999) and the C61 20 (Operational 2011)

Please note: the translation (Google Translation) has made it very hard to understand with the jibberish way of translating and then trying to reword it to understand it.

[foxhsu]

Just let someone you may not know already.
Kato cancelled "Sold in Japan only" limitation. Everyone should be able to preorder form Japan retailer now. My source reply me and I did my preorder for D51-498 2016-2. 

[to2leo]

After a long wait and finding a new online shop, my D51-498 2016-2 had arrived yesterday via EMS.

I have posted several pictures as a comparison to other Kato's steamers that I have purchased for the past years.

The details in this latest offering is simply amazing.  Also, the steamer continues to shrink in comparison to older Kato ones, I guess this is the true size? 

It is the smoothest and quietest Kato engine with traction tires that I owned so far.

Feel free to ask if you have questions.

[Martijn Meerts]

My only question is, where can I get one? :)

[jappomania]

My only question is, where can I get one? :)

on yahoo auction the start price is better (8-10000JPY) but I don't know the total after auction support fees etc...
if you need one...(a little bit much expensive)
http://www.ebay.it/itm/JNR-Steam-Locomotive-Type-D51-498-Orient-Express-1988-Kato-2016-2-N-scale-/120871170791?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item1c247bb2e7

ciao
Massimo

[to2leo]

My only question is, where can I get one? :)

This is my first purchase from them but not my first from shopping at their store in Tokyo.
e-mail rakuten@shibuyamokei.co.jp  and let them know you are interested and start using their registration system using translation.

They do ship oversea and have a Rakuten site but you have to contact them in order to proceed with the transaction.

[Martijn Meerts]

Massimo, thanks for the link, ended up ordering it :) It might be more expensive than elsewhere, but I trust PlazaJapan, and he's got good service. Besides, a Fleischmann or Minitrix steamer with that kinda detail and running characteristics would cost 3x as much :)


To2leo, bit hesitant ordering by mail using some translating engine for the registration process. Knowing my luck I'd end up ordering 20 of something I really don't need ;)


The question now is, what to do with the Kato Roundhouse version of this loco :)