Description

ETA: October 2026
Price may be subject to currency fluctuations - you have the right to cancel if it changes more than £5 in either direction.

Important

This item uses Train Trax's website pre-order function.  For simplicity of processing, each product will need to be placed on a separate pre-order as they will probably arrive at different times. If more than one pre-order does arrive at a similar time then it will be possible to combine shipping charges.

Add to your basket as normal. You can then choose to provide card details to be held securely by the preferred payment provider 'Stripe' ready for when the item arrives. You will not be charged until despatch.

If you don't want to provide card details up-front, please choose 'Pay Later'. This just enables me to receive details of your order and no payment needs to be made at this time. You will receive an acknowledgment of your order. I will send an invoice when your order is passing through UK Customs, you can then pay the invoice online using any card or BACS.

You may see the item marked in stock on my website, this merely indicates I have pre-ordered sufficient stock to fulfil your order.

Non UK Customers: UK VAT will be automatically deducted from your invoice, you will however be liable for any taxes in your country.

Click for more information about pre-orders.

KATO 583 Series Sleeper Express Kitaguni

The Kitaguni was an overnight express linking Osaka and Niigata. Its roots go back to post-war express trains between Osaka and Aomori, later taking on the Osaka to Niigata overnight role after the opening of the Joetsu Shinkansen.

From 1985 the service used 583 Series EMUs and continued through the JR era with refurbishments and colour changes. This KATO release adds the Kitaguni to the 583 Series line-up in its distinctive JR West livery of white, grey, blue and gold.

Key features and details

• Models Kyoto depot B4 formation, with KuHaNe 581 cars at both ends.
• Represents the condition after life-extension work and the second colour change from 1997, up to around 2010 before later formation changes.
• Distinctive JR-style white, grey, blue and gold livery, different from the original JNR colour scheme.
• Recreates plated-over side emergency exits, unitised door cock covers and grab handles near the toilet side of intermediate cars.
• Newly produced KuHaNe 581 roof with train radio antenna; Kitaguni Express side logo printed.
• Newly produced SaRoNe 581 converted from SaHaNe 581, with the middle berth small windows blanked after conversion to two-tier sleeping accommodation.
• Rotating train mark includes Kitaguni, Raicho, Spur and Spur Myoko/Shiga.
• Head/tail lights and front train mark light up using white LEDs.
• Slotless motor for smooth, quiet running.
• Body-mounted close couplers with hooks between intermediate cars; dummy couplers at the cab ends with angular coupler covers reproduced.
• Pantographs include snow covers and two-horn pipe-style collector shoes.
• DCC friendly.

Suggested add-ons

• 11-211 LED Interior Light Clear
• 11-212 LED Interior Light Clear - 6-car pack