Description

This KATO 9-car set represents the Hokkaido night local train 'Karamatsu', which linked Otaru and Kushiro via the Hakodate Main Line and Nemuro Main Line. Although it was a local train, it included B sleeper cars, with the 'Karamatsu' name used so those berths could be reserved through the MARS ticketing system.

The service disappeared with the 1980 timetable revision, making it one of the more distinctive overnight local trains for JNR-era Hokkaido modelling. KATO's set represents vehicles from around 1978, including coaches from Kushiro, Sapporo and Sumidagawa allocations.

Features

• Nine-car night local train 'Karamatsu' passenger set.
• Represents the train around 1978.
• Includes a varied formation with seated coaches, sleeper cars and baggage/mail vehicles.
• Newly produced Mani 36 type based on an Oha 35 conversion.
• Suyuni 61 508 reproduced in a form with some small windows omitted according to build period.
• OhaFu 33 roof ventilators represented as separate parts, with TR23 bogies including axle-generator detail.
• Brown and blue body colours reproduced according to car type, with roof colours varied by vehicle.
• KATO couplers fitted as appropriate, with replacement knuckle couplers/coupler adaptors for selected cars.
• Tail lights fitted on Suhafu 44 and Mani 36, with off switches.
• Car numbers, depot markings, capacity markings and destination/train-name boards reproduced.

Useful to know

• Locomotive not included.
• KATO notes that replacing selected cars with Mani 50 can recreate later-period variations.