Akihabara Station » Kato

Kato 0系 Bullet Train Pt 1: Cab Car

D.E. Goodman-Wilson — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 14:51:56 +0000

Ah, the classic lines of the original Bullet Train.

The DCC installs are back. I’ve got a ton of photos, and I doubt I’ll post all of the work I’ve done in the past several months, but with Kato’s recent re-release of this model, it seemed appropriate for the latest update.

Kato’s [...]

Kato 651系 DCC Pt 2: Cab Car

D.E. Goodman-Wilson — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 15:08:15 +0000

651系 cab car.

Finally, a return to my long neglected 651系! In the first and and first-and-a-half parts, I upgraded the factory-fitted interior lights from bulbs to warm LEDs. Now the time has come to deal with the headlights. Thankfully, this conversion proved quite easy using a TCS FL4 function decoder, which is [...]

Kato 651系 DCC Pt 1.5: Interior Lights Nearly Done

D.E. Goodman-Wilson — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 04:10:33 +0000

Just an update on this project. I managed three more cars in one evening, for a total of four out of seven. It’s tedious going, but I’ve got the hang of it now. What’s slowing me down is cleaning the trucks: They’re filthy! Spent the evening with a bowl of rubbing alcohol and a [...]

Kato 651系 DCC Pt 1: Upgrading Interior Lights

D.E. Goodman-Wilson — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 20:06:26 +0000

Kato 10-173 651系 'Super Hitachi'

So, you have just purchaed Kato 10-173 651系 (651-series) “Super Hitachi”, and want to know how to convert it to DCC. I’ve just begun this process myself; here is part one (of many!) of my report.

The 651系 is factory-fitted with interior lighting, a nice touch. But, being [...]

Next DCC Conquest: Kato 651系

D.E. Goodman-Wilson — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 18:48:54 +0000

The EF81 done, I’ve been trying to decide what DCC project to tackle next. I’ve settled on my Kato 651系 for several reasons. First, the set is being re-released next month, which means a new wave(let) of interest. It also means a new wave of spare parts if I mess up. Too, the pre-fitted [...]

A Bad Week

D.E. Goodman-Wilson — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:08:07 +0000

This has been an awful week, for reasons I won’t dwell on. But as is often the case, I attempted to wrest control over my life by relaxing with my trains this weekend. And, as is increasingly the case, this attempt led me only to frustration.

Before me are four models that have issues. [...]

Current Draw

D.E. Goodman-Wilson — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 05:01:50 +0000

My latest purchase is a Kato model of the 651系 “Super Hitachi”. It’s quite the handsome model, and it includes interior lighting for all the coaches, out of the box. What a nice feature, ne?

A few minutes of running the train, however, and I begin to wonder. My throttle is very warm to [...]

Review: Tomix 209-0 series and Kato E231-500 series

D.E. Goodman-Wilson — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 17:09:45 +0000

Both models are exceptionally detailed

Here’s a comparative review: Kato’s E231-500 Yamanote Line (part nos. 10-261, 10-262 / repackaged as 10-578, 10-579, 10-580) vs. Tomix’s 209-0 Keihin-Tohoku Lie (part nos. 92329, 92330, 8917). The Kato has since been repackaged and given a new set of part numbers, but is otherwise unchanged from what [...]

New DCC Page: Decoders for DCC-Ready Kato Locomotives

D.E. Goodman-Wilson — Fri, 15 May 2009 15:04:04 +0000

Trying to figure out what to put in your Kato EF65 or DD51? Click through, and perhaps I can assist you. [...]

New DCC Page: Decoders for MU Motor Cars

D.E. Goodman-Wilson — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 21:13:26 +0000

Still looking for the perfect decoder for your shinkansen (bullet train) or commuter train? Click through: I’ve got what you’re looking for. [...]