Being made of metal, Katsumi's products differ from other plastic product in their "sharpness" and "sense of weight", thus creates a more authentic representation of the real vehicle.
Since each item is carefully handmade, they are expensive but top-notch addition to any collection.

Featured in the photo is the Kintetsu 50000 series 'Shimakaze'.Its weighty feel and intricate construction are the allure of Katsumi models.

You can enjoy operating the train with a international standard 16.5 mm width track and a power pack (dedicated controller).
It can also run back and forth in a straight track.
If it is a circular track, you can enjoy the perpetual running.
Since the minimum passing radius of commercially available curved tracks is 650R, you can set a track up in a space with only 1.5m square needed.

By the way, a power pack (dedicated controller) is a device that converts a standard Japanese household 100V AC (alternating current) power into a DC (direct current) power used to control the speed of trains, switch points, and provide power to accessories such as crossings and signal lights.

An outer 805R track, a middle 750R track and an inner 670R track. The photo shows our 3.5m x 2m diorama base. If you want to build a 750R track, a space of at least 2.6m x1.6m is ideal.

Katsumi Power Pack KA-75. A stylish device that can control two vehicles simultaneously.

If you go to "Surugaya Hometown store Surugaya Building" and "Surugaya Akihabara Anime & Hobby Bld.", you can check the actual goods on sale. Sometimes they are out of stock, so please ask our staff for more help!
Also, on the second floor of the Surugaya Home Town store, there are actual driving models, so please enjoy the heavy metal driving.

The Surugaya Home Town store A huge diorama on the 2nd floor of Surugaya Building

There are various ways to enjoy train models. Running, Collecting, Self-building a kit and Repairing・Remodeling.
The real thrill of playing with a model train is to "Run" it.
Because of their heaviness, you can see how stable and realistic driving a Katsumi train is comparing to an actual train.

Katsumi train that captivates fans with its smooth running. The front is the N700 series Shinkansen, and the back is the 700 series.

The body is mainly made of a type of metal called "brass".
Brass is one of the metals that is easy to process and therefore very suitable for making models.
Other components, like the bogies/trucks, are made using die-cast zinc alloy

Brass, a metal with excellent workability and corrosion resistance. The one in the photo is the "Panorama Car" Meitetsu 7000 series. The bogyie is located in the gray area under the train body.

Train parts are processed by cutting and bending with a press machine. Each part then is assembled by soldering and sprayed with lacquer paint.
Production time can fluctuate significantly between models, depending on the part count and the specific paint job required.

Let's look at the actual manufacturing process in photos!

① Body pressing:

The train body is cut by a press machine.

② Parts bending:

The curved sections of the car body are meticulously reproduced by a skilled craftsmen.

③ Drilling:

Holes are made one by one, such as the window of the train.

④ Pre-soldering:

The surface is polished so that the solder can flow in easily after.

⑤ Soldering:

If you use the soldering iron for too long, the material will warp, so you need to solder quickly and skillfully

⑥ Parts adjustment:

Carefully correct the distortion of each parts in the previous processes.

⑦ Spray gun painting:

The spray gun paints the body and parts.

⑧ Line drawing:

Carefully drawing the body lines, ensuring they are of uniform thickness.

⑨ Hand drawing with brush:

Painting the fine details of the vehicle body using a brush with a fine tip

⑩ Vehicle body assembly:

The small parts in the front are the handrails on the outside of the crew room. Even these small parts are finished by hand.

⑪ Lower part assembly:

The cable has to be routed carefully so that the it is not visible from the window.

Apart from the "Finished products" lineup, there are also "Unfinished Kits" that you can assemble yourself.
Although most model trains are sold as pre-assembly kits, we also have a "Challenge Series" kits designed specifically for you to build by yourself.
Because it is affordable and easy to make, this regular product boasts wide popularity from beginners to even experienced modelers.

The photo shows the "Challenge Series Kit" that you can assemble and paint by yourself.

Let's start by choosing your favorite model.
If you want to enjoy running a model train, prepare a track that fits your space and a power pack of more than 2 amps.

If you're going to run it, you will need these three items.

You need at least three tools: A Soldering iron (60 ~ 100W), solder material (50% lead and 50% tin) and flux.
In addition, prepare a bakelite board to protect the desk, and some common modeling tools such as sandpaper file, nipper, ....
The soldering iron must have a heat controller.
A flux is a liquid agent used to keep the metal and solder surface clean of dirt and oxide, preventing the solder from moving before it melts.

① Flux ② Solder ③ Soldering iron ④ Heat controller ⑤ Flat-blade screwdriver ⑥ Split rod ⑦ Bakelite board

First, we apply the solder and join the alloy metal together.
Using the heat controller attached soldering iron, we heat the solder and applying it between the plate-shaped parts.

This photo shows the doors being soldered.