July 2023 news from Train Trax UK
This is the first of our regular newsletters sent via a new system, we hope it looks OK and it gets received as well as previous emails. Let us know what you think.
A few important bits of news for you in this edition:
1. Latest KatoUSA announcement came towards the end of June - New Chicago Metra Locos:
The MP36PH is a diesel locomotive built in 2003 by MotivePower, Inc. (MPI) to tow commuter trains in the U.S. and Canada. For Chicago Metra, these MP36PH locomotives are routinely seen with double-decker Gallery Bi-Level cars in push-pull operation. In the Chicagoland area, they transport around 300,000 people each day! Starting in 2020, the entire roof of the locomotive was painted black to make soot stains on the roof less noticeable. These locomotives are perfect to double-head with other Chicago Metra locomotives such as the MP36PH with regular paint or the F40PH! The new road numbers will be #403 & #424.
DC/Analogue and DCC versions available to pre-order below. Expected towards the end of the year.
2. From Japan the announcement includes the stylish Series 283 'Ocean Arrow' (pictured top of email), Series E231-1000 Tokaido Line, EF65 2000 Revival JNR color, and Hankyu Railway Series 9300 Kyoto Line which we rather like the look of.
Also announced is a single module T-TRAK kit...
We think it's great that KATO are doing a module kit, and supporting the ever more popular T-TRAK system.
We did send some kits to Japan last year, so we're unsurprised that their's does look a little bit like the NGS Yorkshire Area Group one that we sell. We still think ours is better, but we'll still stock both to give folk a choice.
All available to pre-order below.
3. As you may have seen on our Facebook page, the 2023 glossy paper catalogue has also recently arrived in stock, along with some back copies of the 2022 catalogue too if you missed it. Both are mostly Japanese text but a picture says a 1000 words (machine translation with a smartphone works well). American outline is not included.
I'd hoped to share another bit of news with you, but the stock has not yet arrived as hoped, so there's a BIG empty gap on the shelves for the moment. I promise it will be ready for my next email - in the meantime keep an eye on the TrainTrax social media channels for updates.
Best wishes,
Ian on behalf of
Train Trax UK
