| The Features Of Kato Model Trains |
| Written by Ferdinand Emy |
| Friday, 28 August 2009 18:38 |
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For first world, high quality, mass production, there are few that can match the Japanese. Because of the high quality and excellent prices they offer, they have penetrated in several industries that require demanding processes, such as cars, computers, and of course, model railroading.
For first world, high quality, mass production, there are few that can match the Japanese. Because of the high quality and excellent prices they offer, they have penetrated in many industries that require demanding processes, such as cars, computers, and of course, model railroading. Kato Precision Railroad Models, better known as Kato Model Trains, are among the best Japanese manufactures of model trains. Although not as well known as other names, like Lionel trains and Bachmann trains, Kato model trains are sold in Japan and the United States, where they compete in quality, level of detail, and cost. Kato Model Trains was founded by Hiroshi Kato in 1957, so as to satisfy the needs of the Japanese shop , which was booming thanks to the industrial revolution that was stylish in Japan at the time and which was the result of the re-modernization of the country after World War II. What set Kato Model Trains apart from the competition was the design and manufacture of local Japanese trains. Up to that time, model trains in Japan were representations of western trains. Kato Model Trains was the first company that manufactured trains that Japanese people in reality rode. The company had such a great success that they grew to dominate the Japanese marketplace . In 1987, Kato Model Trains decided to penetrate the Exceedingly competitive and demanding shop of the United States of America, opening its subsidiary, Kato Model Trains USA. Learning from their experience, Kato Model Trains USA decided to make its first entry to the American flea market with an American train: the diesel-electric hybrid EMD GP38-2 locomotive produced by General Motors Electro Motive Division. That doesnt mean that Japanese models arent sold in the United States, its just that they're very common because most American modelers arent familiar with Japanese trains. Nevertheless, famous trains like the Shinkansen Japanese bullet train are in extreme demand. Additionally, Kato Model Trains is in charge of the design and distribution of the products in the United States, deciding which models have to be manufactured for that . In this way, the company can adjust its processes to custom their production to the tastes of the American clients. However, all manufacturing and processing is handled in Japan. One of the innovations that Kato Model Trains brought to the hobby is the UNITRACK system. This system lets integrating the track and the roadbed in a single piece, as well as a quicker assembling procedure. This surelyis a lot of time and work saver for modelers, Although it might not be appealing to the purists who want to do each part themselves. At Last, some persons confuse Kato Model Trains with the name Sekisui Kinzoku. In reality, Sekisui Kinzoku is the companys name in Japan. About the Author: Learn more about HO Model Trains from how to build your own to maintenance from the experts today |
