Last november during the Faszination Modellbau in Friedrichshafen I saw the new Kato Narrow Gauge in 9mm gauge for 009 and H0e announced the first time at the Kato-stand. The track was so new at the time that they just had some few pieces of track as samples and photos in the catalog to show, and none for sale at the time.
I've noticed that these Narrow Gauge tracks slowly are starting to get available at hobby retailers these days. None of them in Norway off course. But while I was on a 4 day motorcycle trip in Sweden recently I surprisingly found one such set in Southern Sweden's largest Hobby shop; Habo Hobby. It was reasonably priced too at only £ 107/ $ 142. Buying it was a no-brainer to me. So here is a kind of review of the Kato Narrow Gauge UNITRACK, while it's still kind of 'new', if some of my readers are curious about 9mm narrow gauge.
The box of the oval track set it self is labelled OO-9/HOn and suggesting used for both 1:76 and 1:87 scale on 9mm gauge, 009 and H0e/H0n30 receptively:
The track it self is the very same as the existing Kato pre-ballasted N gauge UNITRACK and share the same code 80 and track geometry as lengths and radius. They also have the same track connectors, so they're interchangeable. The only difference between the Kato UNITRACK N-gauge and the new 009/H0e narrow gauge track is the wider spacing and the size of sleepers. This makes the new narrow gauge tracks visually more appealing for both 009 (1:76) and H0e (1:87):
So, Whats in the box?
First it contains instructions in Japanese, English and German. The box contains enough tracks to make an oval of 515mm x 391mm or 20.28 x 15.39 Inch to fit a A2 sized baseboard. One of the track is a connector-track to connect to the included Kato power pack (a AC to DC adaptor is also included). There are also 4 pieces of adaptor tracks to connect the Kato narrow gauge UNITRACK to Peco flexi track (without pre-ballasting). In the box you'll also find a re-railer as it might get handy for these smaller gauges. It also contains a 'gauge'; I think the track gauge will work, but suspect the loading gauge is N-scale.
What about the future? There are only curved track in one radius and straights in this narrow gauge line yet. Let's hope the future will bring a wider selection of narrow gauge track from Kato including different radius and turnouts.
Kato has also launched a selection 'Mini Dioramas' as an easy to assemble module kits for their N- scale UNITRACK to introduce model railways for kids and people who are not into model railways in the first place. Since sharing the same track geometry, I guess these Mini Modules can be combined and used with this new Narrow Gauge track from Kato too:
This is a great set for you who wants a quick set up, making a new permanent layout, connect it to an existing layout or just as a temporary quick set up. In the latter cases the box works as a storage when not in use. This will be an excellent start for 'Pizza layouts'. Kato is known for reliable tracks which are reasonably priced. Get it while you can. I hope that this new narrow oval track set from Kato is just the beginning of a new product range with wider selection. I'm vaguely start to plan what to use my set for.
Are you buying one?
Interesting post. I am very taken with this . At the Model Railway Scotland show the Kato folk were allowing folk to make and take away one of the mini dioramas for a smallish cost. People were on hand to help and offer advice. A Kato trader l talked to was telling me people in Japan often don’t have room for permanent layouts and either have a system at home where they can put it up and take it down after play or take their trains to a public layout and pay to run it there. Alan Tradgardland
ReplyDeleteSuch mini modules have limited operational potential though, but are great for running trains. The idea behind the Kato 'Mini Dioramas' is very interesting indeed. I've read on websites from different shows that clubs are engaging the public by make them build mini dioramas. From a US show I saw that simple modules was made cheaply by styrofoam cut outs.
DeleteI've seen that 'kits' for such modules are available as free stl-files which can be 3D-printed.
Making such modules could be interesting from a military modelling point of view too. Just think of making modules with a "Airfix H0/00 theme", where each module is "populated" by figures from different sets, and the scenery is inspired by or representative for the box-art from the set.
That's a very nice little system - I really like the pre-ballasted track.
ReplyDeleteIt surely is. This pre-ballasted track looks better than other makes making pre-ballasted trackbeds. Let's hope Kato will expand this series.
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