Above you can see the start of February announcements from Kato in Japan. All the items you can see are due in the middle of the year.
I've put the latest items from the Rhaetian Railway (RhB) at the top - as those are the most popular amongst Train Trax's customers. The announcement here is for a new type of wagon which can carry logs or containers. You can buy the wagons and 3 packs of log loads individually, or packs of 4 wagons with with logs ro containers. These can be pulled by either the Ge4 locos or by the Allegra sets which are due in the next couple of months. The wagons are designed such that if you buy one of each set, plus the individual one then you won't have any repeated numbers.
On the posters above you'll also see some HO rolling stock, and lit road vehicles for the 'Just Plug' system which Kato is distributing in Japan. We don't plan to stock these here but may be able arrange special orders if interested.
We will be getting the EH500 Japanese freight loco and KOKI 106/107 container wagons the 131, 787 Series, Series 205-600 and Series 235-1000. Quite a variety! All available for pre-order now.
In other news we've had deliveries of some new items this week - take a look at our 'Just Arrived' category. You'll need to be quick as there's just a few of each item left after pre-orders. More deliveries due next week - some of which I'm particularly excited about.
Not everything sells as quickly as we'd like, even though all the KATO trains are lovely. Hence we have our Sale page. Items on this page are unlikely to be re-stocked, but as they go out of stock we'll try to add something different throughout the year.
I'm sending this email a day or so earlier than I normally would as I'll be away from HQ for a few days. There will be no despatch of parcels on Friday 9th or Tuesday 13th February. Thanks for your patience.
Best wishes,
Ian Miller
On behalf of Train Trax UK
Think you can get some of these items cheaper by buying from a big outfit in Japan? Read my thoughts on why we are better than the Japanese Elephants.
January news from Train Trax UK - 10 % off KATO 🚅!
January has been a good month at Train Trax - your stream of orders have this small business busy. It's only because of support from modellers like you that we can continue offering the UK's largest selection of KATO products. We're listening and we know that the price of your hobby is one of your greatest concerns.As a token of appreciation, we're offering you a 10% discount (off our already discounted prices) on all trains, locomotives, and rolling stock until the end of January. Expand your collection, add to your dream layout, or simply treat yourself – the choice is yours.
We've also added some additional reductions to selected items at traintrax.co.uk/sale.R emember to use code THANKYOU10 at checkout. Don't miss this chance to save!
Stock levels across the ranges are generally good - with more on the way. if you see something out of stock or there isn't quite enough for a big poroject feel free to get in touch and we can let you know when we'll have more.
My next email in two weeks time should have news from KATO Japan with their end of month announcements. I wonder what's coming next? Best wishes, Ian Miller On behalf of Train Trax UK
I don't normally send more than one email in a week, but there have been so many new arrivals I had to let you all know what's in stock now. See below for arrivals from Japan and the latest from KatoUSA. The buildings look fantastic.
We've also re-stocked on our own T-TRAK module kits. We've increased prices on these slightly for the first time. Materials aren't getting any cheaper.
Restocks of many N gauge and OO/HO Unitrack lines and general items such as the ever popular 'Variation' packs have also arrived today. We're sorry that stock levels haven't been as high as we'd want them to be recently - we've had a series of delays at UK customs.
It's been quite an exahusting week in the world of Model Railways so I'm looking forward to the weekend. I hope you enjoy yours.
Best wishes,
Ian Miller
On behalf of Train Trax UK
⚡ January 2024 Update from Train Trax UK 🚂
Happy New year! Since we returned from our Christmas break we've barely had time to sit down, so here's a slightly belated January email!
The biggest news is that amongst Kato's latest annoucements are the long awaited 9-car Class 800/1 LNER liveried sets. Class 800/1 is a 9-car train that has features that traditional 5-car trains do not have, such as an inner frame bogie, a simple roof top, and an intermediate car with all first-class passenger cars. This model is being released in three variants - Analogue, DCC Fitted, and DCC Sound Fitted. GWR versions will probably come later in the year all being well. See below for pricing.
Later this week I'm expecting several deliveries of items from Japan - I'll be sending another email once they have all been checked in. There have been some seasonal delays in UK customs which have been frustrating - I'd hoped to have more stock pre-Christmas.
Do keep an eye on our Facebook page for further new updates, photos and thoughts from us.
Best wishes,
Ian Miller
on behalf of Train Trax UK
PS. Personal bit from Ian: Today I'm feeling a bit distracted by the news yesterday that the big retailer Hattons Model Railways will be closing. It's a shock. I don't know what's going on inside that company, but it can't have been an easy decision to make. Perhaps we'll learn more in time.
For the moment are there any implications for Model Railway Magic and Train Trax UK? As a tiny business with low overheads we're a very different beast from them although I admire their innovation. Business here seems healthy and I've been thinking of doing more second hand/model recycling so perhaps we can pick up a few collections that would have gone to Widnes. If you've got any suggestions on what we can learn from all this do let me know.
In the unlikely event that any Hattons staff see this - get in touch if you fancy a move to York - I'd love to have you on my team!
A great showcase of all that is a bit different about Japanese railways!
Happy Christmas from TrainTrax.co.uk Photo: Ge 4-4 III 651 "Glacier on tour", Muot - Preda - Miroslav Volek on Flickr: https://flic.kr/p/UMHsAD
We just wanted to drop you a quick note to thank you for a fantastic year and wish you a joyous festive season. Whether, like me, your 25th December will involve church and family, or if you're doing something more simple, I hope the day is special.
Our website will be working 24/7 throughout the holiday season so you can place an order whenever you like. However, we won't be sending out any parcels between 1pm on Friday December 22nd (tomorrow at the time of writing), and Tuesday 2nd January. Also during this time we will not normally be able to respond to emails or voicemails. Thank you for your patience!
We had some great chats at the Manchester show last weekend. That's me looking tired on Sunday morning in the picture above. These things are utterly exhausting so we're having a rest from shows until Easter!
Announcements from Kato Japan at the beginning of the month are now listed on the website and also below - pre-orders are open on these if you fancy anything.
At long last a few boxes have become unstuck in the UK customs system and arrived - see below for the latest 'Goodies' from Japan which are now in stock.
Also this week, I've updated Unitrack prices on traintrax.co.uk to the new normal. These increases come from Kato, who say 'We apologize for any inconvenience caused by the price revision procedures and the increase in purchase prices, and ask for your understanding in this matter.' Life doesn't get any cheaper I'm afraid!
Remember all our prices are discounted from RRP so we will always be amongst the most competitive on the web. That said, we like to think we also offer great stock levels, excellent service, specialist knowledge, quick despatch and a no-fuss returns procedure!
You might find items a few pence cheaper elsewhere - but can they offer all that?
Best wishes,
Ian Miller
on behalf of Train Trax UK
PS. Please get your orders in as soon as possible. Official last posting date for our UK standard service is is 1pm Monday 18th December, but we'd recommend placing on Friday 15th unless you choose the RM Special Delivery option.
Basket
Exclusively Kato!
Unitrack, Unitram and buildings.
Locomotives and Rolling Stock, North American and Japanese outline
