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.
December 2023 Kato train news from Train Trax UK
Black Friday and Cyeber Monday is over for another year. No more sales for a while now - we're keeping plenty busy enough! Please place your Christmas order early to avoid disappointment. Last official order date will be 18th December - but I'd recommend not leaving it too late as we've already seen localised Royal Mail delays.
Manchester Show this December 9th/10th. A reminder that Train Trax will have a large stand full of Kato Unitrack in N and HO gauges, plus a variety of trains, buildings and accessories in N. It will be possible shortly to order for collection at the show. You can also drop me an email if there is something in particular you want to see. There's some really intersting looking layours on the bill too. I'm looking forward to it a lot!
See below for a few other new items to look forward to. Two special edition Allegra liveries and some more America container wagon sets.
We're expecting a significant price rise on many Unitrack items over the next few weeks. As Kato Japan put it in their charming English '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.'
Buy now to save before we pass on the price increases - we're just waiting for the new UK RRP to be confirmed.
This morning Kato Japan made their monthly announcements of new items to be produced over the next few months. I'll send another email once I've digested the contents!
Black Friday & Cyber Monday KATO deals from Train Trax UK
I'm thrilled to share our Black Friday and Cyber Monday train deals with you! As a valued Traintrax.co.uk customer, you're getting early access to these incredible savings.
We understand that modellers like you appreciate quality and value, and we strive to provide that consistently. While our prices are competitive all year round, Black Friday Cyber Monday allows us to offer special discounts on select models, particularly those that may not be in the spotlight as often.
This is your chance to grab those less popular gems at exceptional prices. We're offering discounts of up to 30% off our already discounted prices. It includes a wide range of train sets, classic analog trains and high-tech digital trains. Immerse yourself in the world of meticulously crafted train models and bring your railway dreams to life.
Whether you're a fan of the iconic power and grandeur of North American locomotives or the sleek efficiency of Japanese EMUs, we have something for every train enthusiast. Discover the awe-inspiring presence of legendary locomotives like the Union Pacific Big Boy or the Tokyo Metro, and experience the thrill of transporting passengers and freight across meticulously crafted landscapes.
Act fast! These incredible discounts are only available until November 30th. Don't miss out on this opportunity to expand your train collection with fantastic deals.
PS. Look out for another email from me next week with some new products for the RhB and North American Freight!
November 2023 Kato train news from Train Trax UK
Although I try to send an update email every two weeks, sometimes it doesn't quite work out. This time I was away for a few days with family and ran out of time before I went.
On the way back from my break I managed a quick visit to the Pendon Museum in Oxfordshire, and decided to share with you the snapshot above. The museum is well worth a visit and I was left reflecting what a broad hobby Railway Modelling can be. There's the quick and easy approach that Kato Unitrack offers or the slow but satisfying approach from the amazingly talented scratchbuilders that have produced Pendon. Personally I'm glad there's room for both within the hobby.
A wide range of modelling will be on display at the Manchester Show this December 9th/10th. I'm pleased to announce that Train Trax will have a large stand full of Kato Unitrack in N and HO gauges, plus a variety of trains, buildings and accessories in N. It will be possible shortly to order for collection at the show. You can also drop me an email if there is something in particular you want to see.
Last week saw the usual monthly announcements from Kato Japan of what's comign in the future. There's some useful road vehicles as well as a Japanese C12 Steam loco. The 283 and 287 series are ideal trains for a bit of Japanese flavour - especially with that Panda face! See below for more details.
Whilst I was away, Jonathan and Peter took in the latest KatoUSA arrivals - EMD SD70ACe in a varirty of liveries, all DCC fitted; plus the re-run of the UP FEF-3 '844' Steam Loco. Check out the 'Just Arrived' page to keep up.
Some stocks are a little low at the moment - there's been a customs hold up in Japan which we hope to be resolved shortly. Thanks for your patience.
Best wishes,
Ian Miller
on behalf of Train Trax UK
Special update from Train Trax UK - new UK Class 800 from KATO
It's been fairly well known for a while, that the next KATO British rolling stock would be another Class 800. It has now been revealed that this will be featuring the Paddington Bear GWR Livery. Here's the full annoucement:
A Brand New Livery For The Class 800
A number of the GWR Class 800s have been named since they entered service, all named after famous people who have strong connections to the places the company serves. The first named was unit 800004 on 30th June 2016 and was named after Isambard Kingdom Brunel and Sir Daniel Gooch. The second, 800003, was named after Queen Elizabeth II and Queen Victoria, and this was followed by 800010 which was named after Paddington Bear and his creator Michael Bond.
Direct From Paddington Station
The first two namings may be a bit more obvious than the third as they are either British Monarchs or people instrumental in the early years of the GWR. The names applied to 800010 were different, as they were the first in the class to feature a fictional character; Paddington bear. Not only that, but this unit also features iconography of the little marmalade sandwich connoisseur taken from the 'A Bear Called Paddington' book and poses inspired by his later film appearances.
For those not familiar with Paddington's tale, he made his first appearance in print in October 1958, when the Brown family found him alone at Paddington Station. Because no one could pronounce his real name (he came from "darkest-Peru") the Browns named him Paddington. This is very reminiscent of the true story as Michael saw a single, lonely bear in a shop in Paddington Station, purchased it, and became inspired.
Thus the story of Paddington was born, and will always be synonymous with not only Marmalade Sandwiches but Paddington Station and the GWR too. It was only right to name 800010, which runs out of Paddington station, after these iconic names from literature and film, and the train was unveiled in a naming ceremony by Michael's daughter Karen Jankel on 10th January 2018, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of the release of the first Paddington Book.
Kato Recreate This Iconic Livery
Kato are pleased to say that this livery will soon be coming to N Scale with the announcement of a new Class 800 model. This officially licenced model will feature all the same quality and running characteristics of the previous releases but will also be adorned with the iconography and images of this new livery too. Just like the previous models, this version will be manufactured to British N Scale 1:148 and will feature:
Beautifully recreated "Paddington Bear" illustrations along all relevant passenger doors. The "Paddington Bear" and "Michael Bond" names on both sides of the front cars. Illuminated head and tail lights lit with white LEDs. When the headlights are turned on, the top, bottom, and beacon lights are illuminated. A Selection of Kato Unitrack for display or adding to existing layouts. The front is equipped with a coupling mechanism, making it possible to recreate the 5 + 5 10-car consist of the prototype using other Kato Class 800 Units Suppied in Kato's 'bookcase' style packaging featuring a unique Paddington design.
This new Class 800 is available to preorder now through the link below, currently expecting to arrive in Spring 2024.
What About DCC Modellers?
Previously, additional DCC Decoders were required to bring the Class 800 to a digitally controlled layout, but not any more. Alongside the big announcement of this new livery, it has also been confirmed that this version and the previous LNER livery will be released DCC Fitted, and even more excitingly DCC Sound Fitted too. This will mean that, for the first time, you will be able to see and hear this locomotive whipping around your layouts and through your landscapes.
At the moment Train Trax has all three versions (DC, DCC Fitted and DCC Sound fitted) available to pre-order. We'll also have starter sets and DCC/DCC Sound versions of the LNER set available soon. These have taken us by surprise!
Best wishes,
Ian Miller
on behalf of Train Trax UK
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