October seems to have arrived a bit quickly !The good news from our point of view is that the TrainTrax shelves are looking pretty healthy at the moment. We have good stocks across much of the KATO range, including plenty of Unitrack, together with locomotives, rolling stock, buildings, accessories and a growing pile of recent arrivals.So, if you've been putting off a layout job, need a few more pieces of track, or simply fancy something new to run, now is a pretty good time to have a look.
New arrivals - and things you may have missed There's been a steady flow of new KATO stock recently, particularly from KatoUSA, alongside Japanese releases and regular restocks.It's also worth having another look through the current pre-orders. KATO announce a lot of models over the course of a year and it's very easy for something interesting to disappear into an old email and be forgotten.
KATO Japan also made another batch of new announcements this morning. We haven't had time to turn all of those into website listings yet, but we'll work through them and add the interesting ones shortly. There's still time to Make a Scene If you've been meaning to enter this year's Make a Scene competition, you've still got time.The closing date has been revised to 30 October, so there are still a few weeks left to finish your N gauge scene, take some photographs and get your entry in.The competition is being run by RAILstuff and JSModels, with TrainTrax supplying the KATO Unitrack used in the starter kits. Finalists are due to be displayed at the NEC in November.
Don't forget the ordinary stuff New locomotives tend to get the photographs, but a large part of what we do is rather less glamorous.We try to keep a very broad range of KATO Unitrack available in the UK - track, points, wiring, controllers, bridges, platforms and all the useful little bits that suddenly become essential halfway through building something. If you're planning or extending a layout, have a look through the N gauge and HO/OO Unitrack ranges. If you're not sure what you need, ask us. That's part of the reason TrainTrax exists. A bit more than an online shop We spend quite a lot of our time actually working with model railways too.That includes layout planning and advice, DCC fitting and repairs where parts are available. We also keep building our collection of practical guides and resources based on the questions customers regularly ask us.
And behind the scenes, work on our proposed model railway attraction in York continues. We've recently acquired another exhibition layout which we hope can eventually form part of what we're building. It's definitely not Kato and it's taking up more space in the warehouse than something N gauge... There's still a long way to go with that project, but collecting good layouts, ideas and experience is part of getting there.
One slightly early winter thought We won't start putting tinsel on the website just yet.But if you already know you're likely to want something for December - for yourself or someone else - buying a little earlier genuinely helps businesses like ours.It spreads orders over a more manageable period, gives us a better chance to replenish anything that sells through, and means you aren't relying on stock and couriers behaving themselves in the final week before the holidays. Mostly, though, we would simply rather earn your order by having the right things in stock, knowing the products and being useful when you have a question.
So have a look around. There's rather a lot on the shelves at the moment.
There’s rather a lot of new KATO around at the moment. We’ve got the latest announcements from Japan, a substantial delivery from KatoUSA, two new trams, and plenty more that has appeared on the shelves since TINGS.
This is therefore another slightly longer email. There is a thought - and a question - at the bottom if you make it that far.
Newly announced by KATO
Perhaps the most intriguing new announcement is KATO’s move further into OO9 narrow gauge, with models of the Sekisui Main Line “OSCAR” and “RACHEL” locomotives, plus a little diorama kit.
Small trains, tight curves and KATO track sounds like a fairly sensible combination to us. We’re looking forward to seeing these.Also newly announced for January are: 923-3000 Series Dr Yellow, including a special 7-car set Chizu Express HOT7000 “Super Hakuto” 119 Series 5000 Iida Line Keikyu 2100 Series
As usual, there’s no payment needed when you reserve. We invoice when the model arrives with us.
America has arrived We’ve also had a big KatoUSA delivery, so the North American shelves are looking considerably healthier. There’s far too much to sensibly list everything, but highlights include: F40PH and Superliner Amtrak stock Greenbrier tank car 8-car sets Chicago Metra train packs and Gallery coaches a good selection of ES44ACsSD70ACu, SD70MAC and SD40-2 locomotives several American starter and train sets
There are DC, DCC and DCC Sound options amongst the new stock, depending on the model.
KatoUSA have also snuck out some new numbers (arriving March-ish) for those lovely Greenbrier tankers which arrived recently. Pre-orders open for building really long trains.If American N gauge (particularly Amtrak!) is your thing, it is definitely worth having a rummage through the website at the moment:
Ding ding
Two particularly nice tram models have arrived too. The 14-806-A My Tram Classic - Red Stripe is a simple little traditional-looking tram which could work nicely on all sorts of compact layouts. And then there’s the rather more distinctive 14-071-1 Hiroshima Electric Railway Type 200 “Hannover” Tram.
The real tram originally came from Hannover in Germany before moving to Hiroshima, so it’s one of those slightly unexpected prototypes which makes railway modelling rather interesting.Both are in stock now.
And plenty more from Japan It isn’t all American stock and trams. Recent Japanese arrivals include the N700-6000 Series “Kodama” Shinkansen, KiHa 201 “Niseko Liner”, 731 Series “Ishikari Liner”, E657 Revival Colour Orange, more locomotives and rolling stock, plus another useful batch of Unitrack. The Just Arrived section is now getting rather large:traintrax.co.uk/just-arrived-c-27-html Probably easier to browse that than have me turn this email into a stock spreadsheet.
One thought after TINGS
Thanks again to everyone who came to see us at TINGS.
After a fairly slow summer, I went into the show feeling that we rather needed a good weekend. Fortunately, we got one.
But the useful bit wasn’t just the sales. Shows give me a couple of days actually talking to people about what they’re building, what they struggle with and what they’d like us to do better.
One thing I keep coming back to is accessibility.
I want Train Trax to make it easier for people to get into model railways and easier to try something new once they are here.
That means clearer information, less assumed knowledge, useful videos and guides, practical layout ideas - and perhaps a few more things we haven’t thought of yet.
There’s an enormous amount to enjoy in this hobby. Sometimes we make getting started with it look rather harder than it needs to be.
So, a question for those of you who did read all the way down:
What could we explain, make or do that would make KATO or model railways easier for you?
Hit reply and tell me. Sensible suggestions may actually get made.
TrainTrax (and themodeltreeshop.co.uk) will be at The International N Gauge Show at the Warwickshire Event Centre on 12 and 13 September.You’ll find us and some demos on stands 27 and 28. Our main focus at TINGS will be KATO Unitrack and accessories, alongside a carefully selected range of Japanese and American trains. There will still be plenty to browse - just not all 1,200-plus product lines. Our range is now much larger than anything we can sensibly fit into a van - or display on two stands.
At our York HQ, we currently have: 608 different locomotives, wagons and sets. We’ll probably bring fewer than 10% of them, with only two or three of even the most popular items. 304 track, wiring and control products. We aim to bring around 75% of these, but only a few of each. Around 200 buildings, scenery items, figures and road vehicles. About 20% will make the journey. 166 different spare parts for rolling stock. We won’t routinely be bringing these.
In other words, please don’t assume that something shown as in stock on our website will be on the stand.
However, we’ll be very happy to bring any specific in-stock item for you to inspect at the show, with no obligation to buy. Just email us in advance and tell us what you’d like to see.
If you need larger quantities of track or accessories, please let us know about those too. The best way to guarantee they’ll be waiting for you is to place a prepaid order through the website and select collection from TINGS at checkout. An email is also fine if you simply want us to bring something for a closer look. Deadline for collection orders or requests is 4pm Thursday.
Just arrived Several large deliveries have arrived, filling most of the important gaps that had appeared across the KATO Unitrack and accessories ranges. We’ve also received the latest Japanese releases and restocks, including: Koki container wagons EF81 electric locomotive in Rose Pink KiHa 201 Series three-car sets N700S-6000 Series Shinkansen
A quick reminder about our York HQ We don’t have a conventional shop, so please don’t arrive expecting shelves to browse. Whilst we're happy to take visitors by appointment, our premises and stock is arranged for online efficiency. That's why shows such as TINGS are a useful opportunity to see us in person.
We look forward to seeing plenty of you at Warwickshire - and do order ahead if there is something particular you want us to bring. Ian, on behalf of the TrainTrax team
PS. Exciting announcements from Kato this morning. We'll get them on the website over the next couple of weeks!
As promised, a KATO update: new pre-orders from Japan and the USA, a quick reminder that we’ll be at TINGS in September, and a fresh batch of recent arrivals now on the website. It's a bit long, make sure you read right to the bottom!
The headline Japanese release is the return of C57 1, one of KATO’s best-known Japanese steam locomotives, along with the matching 35 Series 4000 “SL Yamaguchi” 5-car coach set. It’s a very attractive pairing, and likely to be the main Japanese highlight from this month’s announcements.
Also included from Japan are the EF65 1000 Shimonoseki Depot, DD51 1043 Shimonoseki Depot, the Keio 5000 / 5100 series sets, useful new Unitrack pieces, and HO yukata passenger figures.
The USA announcement is built around the California Zephyr - one of the great American passenger trains. The range includes the CB&Q E8A California Zephyr 4-unit starter set, the 8-car California Zephyr add-on set, plus CB&Q, D&RGW and Western Pacific locomotive options. Standard and sound versions are listed; plain DCC versions are available only by request before the end of September.
There is also a seasonal KATO USA item: the Pocket Line Christmas Train Starter Set, including train, track and controller. A neat little Christmas layout in a box, which is the sort of thing we pretend is for the children and then keep for ourselves.
As usual, pre-orders are open with no payment needed up front. We do ask that pre-orders are treated as genuine reservations, as they help us plan what to bring in - especially with the more specialist KATO USA items where demand can be harder to judge.
You’ll find us on stands 27 and 28. Online orders will also be available for collection at the show - please select the collection option at checkout.
Is there something in particular you would like us to bring? Contact us and let us know. It really does help us plan what to pack.
Just arrived
We’ve also had a few deliveries, including the F40PH Superliner I Amtrak Phase III Train Pack, Seven Stars in Kyushu, JNR 165 Series Ogaki Night Train, KiHa 52 railcars, Izukyu 2100 Series “Resort 21”, Japanese locomotives, HO EF510s and a useful Unitrack top-up.
See the full Just Arrived section on our website here:
That should be enough KATO news for one email. Probably.
As always, thank you for your orders, pre-orders and patience while we work through the latest announcements and arrivals. They make a real difference, especially with the more specialist KATO items where we have to make careful decisions about what to bring into the UK.
"Probably the largest range of Kato Unitrack, Unitram and buildings available in the UK today"
Train Trax exclusively Kato!
Our aim is to stock the full range of KATO Unitrack in N and OO/HO gauges at competitive discounted prices, with friendly efficient service and specialist advice.
All items offered for sale are new and in stock here in the UK (except pre-orders).
Orders placed and paid for before 1.00pm Monday to Friday will often be shipped on the same day.
A quick update from TrainTrax, with a new place to find our practical guides, details of where to see us next, and more KATO announcements on the way.
It brings together our guides on track planning, Unitrack, DCC and other useful subjects in one place. We’ll keep adding to it, so please let us know if there is something you would like us to explain.
You’ll find us on stands 27 and 28. Online orders will also be available for collection at the show - please select the collection option at checkout.
Is there something in particular you would like us to bring? Contact us and let us know.
More video from TrainTrax
We’re trying more video on Tiktok, Facebook and Instagram, from new arrivals and products in action to occasional glimpses behind the scenes.
What have you enjoyed so far, and what would you like to see next? Please like, comment or share anything you find useful - it helps more modellers find us.
More KATO releases
KATO’s next Japanese product announcements are due this Friday.
We’ll work through the information, confirm prices and expected availability, and add the new releases to the website over the following few weeks. There is usually rather a lot to digest.
That’s all for now. We’ll share the new releases once we have turned the Japanese announcements into something rather more useful.
There is some properly interesting KATO news this time, especially from the American side of things. KATO USA has announced two releases that are not everyday subjects.
First, the M497 “Black Beetle” Jet Powered RDC. Yes, a jet-powered railcar. A real one, not something produced by a modeller after too much coffee and access to spare aircraft parts. This is one of those models that is interesting even before you decide whether it fits your layout. KATO are producing it in standard DC, DCC-fitted and DCC sound versions.
Also newly announced is the GE ES44AC CN “Air Force One” 2026 locomotive, again with DC, DCC-fitted and DCC sound options available. You can see the current KATO USA pre-orders here: https://traintrax.co.uk/product-tag/usa-announced-jul-26
There are also new KATO Japan items available to pre-order, including: 211 Series 2000 Yokosuka Colour 6-Car Set 10 Series sleeping coaches and passenger coaches DD54 Initial Type and Mid-Period Type diesels KiHa 110 / KiHa 111 / KiHa 112 items EF10 Third Batch electric locomotive Hoki 2500 JR Specification 8-Car Set EF64 1000 General Colour 500 Series Shinkansen “Nozomi” sets All here: https://traintrax.co.uk/product-tag/announced-jul-26 As usual, no payment is needed up front for pre-orders. We send the invoice when the stock arrives in the UK.
There is also plenty of new stock actually in stock here now. Recent arrivals include JNR 14 / 15 series coaches, the 883 Series “Sonic” Renewal and 30th Anniversary sets, 24 Series “Seto / Asakaze” sleeper sets, EF66-0 Late Type Blue Train, Aoimori 703 Series, E657 Series E653 Revival Colour Blue, EF65 1000 Late JR Specification, 289 Series “Kounotori / Kinosaki”, HO DD51 Hokutosei Colour, DB ET424 / ET425 / ET426 units, E721 Series sets, Japanese buildings and the 2026 KATO catalogue.
A quick note on second-hand collections too. Model Railway Magic is currently buying good quality second-hand model railway collections. We will consider all types of items, manufacturers and scales. We're even interested in full layouts if portable. If you are thinking of selling a collection, downsizing, or helping deal with someone else’s railway stock, please get in touch. Photos, lists and a rough idea of what is included are always helpful. We can give a sensible view on whether it is something we can buy, and we will be straightforward if it is not quite right for us.
Summer is usually a slightly odd mix of new releases, family logistics, stock chasing and trying to keep on top of everything, so thank you for bearing with us if replies occasionally take a little longer than usual. Orders will keep going out as normal, and we’ll always do our best to help.
We are not a normal walk-in model shop, but visitors are welcome by appointment. If you are coming to York and would like to collect an order, look at KATO items in person, talk through Unitrack options, or get some layout advice, please get in touch before travelling and we will do our best to arrange a suitable time.
Thank you again to everyone who chooses Train Trax. We work hard to be the best place in the UK for KATO models, Unitrack and practical layout advice - and every order, email, recommendation and bit of feedback helps us keep improving. Kind Regards, Ian on behalf of the team www.traintrax.co.uk
First of all, thank you to everyone who ordered during our recent summer sale.
The sale was very well supported, and that genuinely helps. It has set us up well for the slower summer period and for our own financial year end - not quite as exciting as a new locomotive release, perhaps, but rather important all the same.
This morning in Japan, Kato announced some interesting bits. You can see the 'posters' above. We'll need a few days to digest, publish on our website and confirm the prices of everything. After that we'll open pre-orders as usual.
In the meantime, we have had plenty of new stock arriving, so the shelves are looking healthy again after the sale. Recent arrivals include new Japanese N gauge sets, European multiple units, HO Japanese items, buildings, figures, scenic details and the new 2026 KATO catalogue.
HO DD51 Hokutosei colour diesel locomotive and Taki1000 tankers
N scale dolphins, because apparently this is now the sort of railway email that includes dolphins
A quick reminder on pre-orders too. If there is a forthcoming KATO item you know you want, pre-ordering is still the best way to secure it. We do not ask for payment up front on pre-orders, so there is no immediate cost to reserving something. You have the option of adding card details for easy of payment when they arrive, but it's your choice whether or not to do this.
All we ask is that pre-orders are made in good faith. We understand that circumstances change, but we do get mildly grumpy if people wait until the stock arrives and then cancel, as by that point we have ordered it specially and committed the cash and shelf space.
We are also around over the summer holidays. We are not a normal walk-in model shop, but visitors are very welcome by appointment. If you are in or near York over the summer and would like to collect an order, see some KATO items in person, look at Unitrack options, or talk through a layout idea, please get in touch before travelling and we will do our best to arrange a suitable time.
There is also still a lot going on behind the scenes with the York model railway attraction idea. I am still working through the research, funding conversations and practical questions, but the response so far has been encouraging.
If you have experience in visitor attractions, property, funding, museums, tourism, schools, family days out, community projects, or simply have strong views about what would make a model railway attraction worth visiting, I would still be very glad to hear from you. This is very much still at the “ask awkward questions before spending large amounts of money” stage.
Thank you again to everyone who chooses Train Trax. We work hard to be the best place in the UK for KATO models, Unitrack and practical layout advice - and every order, email, recommendation and bit of feedback helps us keep improving.
From today until 24 June, 10% off everything in the shop: Japanese N gauge, North American, European outline, Unitrack, accessories, buildings, the lot. The only exclusions are items in our ‘Just Arrived’ category.
If you've been sitting on something in the rolling sale, it's worth knowing that the 10% applies on top of those existing reductions too. Some of those are already down significantly, so the savings are real.
The sale runs for ten days. If there's something you've had your eye on, now is a great time to move on it.
Ian and team
Train Trax UK
A few TrainTrax notes this week - including another event for our friends near York:
On Saturday 13 June, the NGS Yorkshire Area Group and WorldWide Group Annual Gathering takes place at Heworth Community Centre, York.
I’ll be there with TrainTrax, bringing a selection of KATO, Unitrack and Japanese/international N gauge stock.
These are usually good events: layouts, trade, modelling chat, and at least one conversation that starts with “I’m not buying anything today” and ends less convincingly.
If you’re coming along, please do say hello.
NGS / WWG Annual Gathering Saturday 13 June Heworth Community Centre, York 10.30am-4.00pm
Some of it is end-of-line. Some of it is slow-moving. Some of it is stock I would rather see on a layout than sitting on our shelves. There are useful reductions across Japanese, European, British and North American items, including a few one-only pieces.
There has been strong interest in Unitram, KATO’s street-running tram system. It connects with standard Unitrack, but it is a different beast: more of a ready-made urban street scene than conventional railway track. Good fun, compact, and a useful option if you want something self-contained. More choice of trams coming soon.
We’re also pleased to be involved in Make a Scene 2026, the new N gauge modelling competition from RAILstuff and JSModels. TrainTrax is supplying the KATO Unitrack for the starter kits, with Hex-TRAK base modules and scenic materials included. It is a neat idea: same starting point, completely different results. Looking forward to seeing the results at the NEC in November.
And yes, the website is open and running as normal through the warmer months. Orders placed before 1pm usually go out the same day, assuming everything is in stock and behaving itself.
Thanks as always for your orders and support.
Ian Train Trax
P.S. Work is continuing on the new model railway visitor attraction idea for York. It’s still in the research and planning stage, but the aim is becoming clearer: a welcoming place where trains are the stars, with layouts, scenes, stories and hands-on elements that help visitors leave thinking, “I could have a go at that.”
More on that soon - and if you know someone with useful experience in visitor attractions, premises, funding or partnerships, I’d be very happy to hear from them.
Be Kind, please. It is Mental Health Awareness Week, and that feels like a good moment to say something gently but clearly. You never know everything about the people you're talking to. Might be just having a bad day, or might be burnt-out, depressed, lonely, or grieving.
From our perspective, the world could do with a bit more empathy. Most of our customers are lovely. Many are patient, encouraging, funny, understanding and a genuine pleasure to deal with.Train Trax is a tiny business. It is not a call centre, a warehouse empire, or a faceless machine. It is a very small team doing its best to get specialist model railway items to customers quickly, accurately and with proper care.Over the next couple of weeks, capacity will be a bit more limited than usual as some of us are away. Orders will still be processed, emails will still be answered, and parcels will still go out - but there may be moments when things take a little longer than normal. The quickest, most accurate and all round best way to place an order is always via our website. Enquiries are best via email.
A bit of patience and empathy really does make a difference to small businesses, especially when the people running them are juggling stock, suppliers, customer service, websites, packing benches and the occasional mystery parcel problem. Be kind, please. Right. Product news.
There are several newly announced pre-order items now listed. The big Unitrack theme this time is modern concrete-sleeper track, including PC straight track, PC curves, PC bumper tracks, and synthetic-sleeper No.6 electric points. These should be useful for more modern Japanese layouts, especially if you want something a bit different from the usual wooden-sleeper look. Take a look at the details down below.There is also a strong JR Shikoku theme, with N2000 and 2000 Series limited express sets, including Uwakai, Uzushio, Ashizuri and Nanpu versions.Other Japanese N gauge highlights include the 683 Series 6000 Mahoroba sets, E131 Series Senseki Line and Boso area sets, 211 Series Takasaki/Tohoku Line sets, the C12 steam locomotive, ED16 electric locomotive, and Hoki 2500 / Hoki 9500 hopper wagon sets. See down below for images.
For North American modellers, the CB&Q Pioneer Zephyr 3-unit set is the headline for the list, including standard, DCC and sound versions - see top of this email.You can see the latest pre-orders here: https://traintrax.co.uk/preorders-reserve-them-here-c-51-html
Ian Train Trax
PS. We know (because you've told us) that trains help many people's mental health. Our top tip this week if you're struggling: get a model out and get it running - even a simple oval will do!
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