February news from Train Trax UK - pre-order here for new KATO Japan trains
Well, it's been one of those weeks at Train Trax HQ – you know, the kind where everything looks smooth and graceful on the surface, but underneath, we’re paddling like crazy to keep everything moving! Just like a swan (or maybe more like a frantic duck). From exciting new arrivals to upcoming exhibitions, there’s loads happening, and we can’t wait to share it with you.
Get a cup of tea. It's a long email...
Good Business Fortnight – Doing Our Best (Mostly)
You know we like to run Train Trax the right way – fair pricing, good service, and not being evil (we’ve resisted all temptations to become a villainous railway baron… so far). That’s why we’re delighted to be part of Good Business Fortnight, celebrating businesses that put their customers and ethics first. We may not always get everything perfect (we’re looking at you, parcel that mysteriously disappeared into nowhere last week), but we’re always working hard to do things properly.
The Model Tree Shop Grows a New Website!
If you’ve ever felt like your layout scenery looks a bit too much like a post-apocalyptic wasteland, then you’ll be pleased to hear The Model Tree Shop has launched a brand-new website! Now it’s even easier to find the perfect trees for your layout – from tiny hedgerows to grand, stately oaks that make your 1:148-scale villagers proud. Go check it out at themodeltreeshop.co.ukand bring a bit of greenery to your railway world!
New Arrivals – Fresh stock
We’re as excited as a kid with a new train set about our latest arrivals! A few highlights:
🔧 T-TRAK Module Kits – Back in stock! For those who love modular layouts (or just need something to tinker with when they should be doing something else). Perfect for expanding your railway empire, one small section at a time.
🚋 Narrow gauge starter sets - with the exclusive grey controller and OO9 track - have finally arrived.
🚉Assorted Japanese locos and rolling stock – Because let’s face it, none of us really have enough locos.
Pre-Orders – Because the Best Things Are Worth the Wait
As if we didn’t already have enough temptation in our lives, some fantastic new pre-order February announcements have just been added. Pre-order to guarantee yours.
We particularly like: New pocket line track and controller set
20-800 Mini Layout Track Operation Set £64.60 Pre-order now 24-850BK Power Supply Switch £18.00 Pre-order now
14419-9 Special Edition Hankyu Railway 2350 Series £34.00 Pre-order now 22-243-6 Sound Card £41.40 Pre-order now 10-2033 Special Edition Hankyu Railway 2300 Series Kyoto Line 8 Car Set £262.40 Pre-order now 10-2032 Hankyu Railway 2300 Series Kyoto Line Add-on Set (4 Cars) £116.20 Pre-order now 10-2031 Hankyu Railway 2300 Series Kyoto Line Basic Set (4 Cars) £146.20 Pre-order now
The imperial train (sure to be sought after)
10-1991 E655 Series Nagomi (Japanese) 5-Car Set £163.40 Pre-order now 4935-1 Special Vehicles £37.60 Pre-order now
A variety of colourful Japanese EMUs.
10-1994 E233 Series 6000 Yokohama Line 8-Car Set £232.20 Pre-order now 10-1556S 701 Series 1000 Morioka Color 2 Car Set £99.00 Pre-order now 10-1561S Aoimori Railway Aoimori 701 Series 2-Car Set £99.00 Pre-order now 10-1562 Aoimori Railway Aoimori 701 Series (new wrapping) 2-car set £99.00 Pre-order now 10-1876 special edition E657 series 10-car set £309.60 Pre-order now
A new steam starter set (SL available on it's own too)
2016-9 D51 Standard type £107.60 Pre-order now 10-032 JR D51 Steam Locomotive Starter Set £226.20 Pre-order now
Return of Dr Yellow to coincide with it's last runs.
10-896S Type 923 Series 3000 "Doctor Yellow" Basic Set (3 Cars) £120.40 Pre-order now 10-897 JR Shinkansen Bullet Train Type 923-3000 'Doctor Yellow' Add-on £111.80 Pre-order now
Hamanasu Sleeper set and ED79 loco
Extra special KatoUSA EMD NW2 liveries
Kato USA, Inc.'s January announcements were mainly around some very special EMD NW2 liveries.
There are 7 custom paint schemes: Atlantic Coast Line #605, Canadian National #7959, Frisco #253, Grand Trunk Western #7906, KCS #4200, Seaboard Airline #1410, and Western Pacific #608.
Due in the UK Late Spring 2025.
For these items we're applying a strict pre-order deadline of 12 noon (GMT) Wednesday 26th February 2025. If you don't pre-order before then you won't get them from us.
Each is available in DC or DCC Sound, but all are limited quantities. Find them here.
Model Rail Scotland – We’re Off to Glasgow!
We’ve begun packing our boxes (and probably forgetting at least one crucial item) for Model Rail Scotland at the SEC in Glasgow, from February 21st-23rd. If you’re heading there, come and say hello! We promise we’ll be mostly awake and happy to chat all things N gauge (or just share the pain of an ever-growing project list).
That’s it for now – we’d better get back to paddling away behind the scenes! Thanks as always for being part of the Train Trax community.
Until next time, The Train Trax Team
P.S. If your layout has progressed due to our recent Track Tuesday promo then send us a photo – we’d love to see it!
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