Let’s Torekatsu! Episode 10 on YouTube

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The following is a summary of “Let’s Torekatsu” Episode 10.

Joshitetsu announcer Kuno Tomomi visits the Rokuhan Tokyo Showroom and said that while the program has covered HO and N Gauge, this time, they will deal with set gauges.

And for the latest episode, they have a special guest, actor Nishimura Kazuhiko.  Nishimura looks at the 1/220 diorama and saying if Godzilla is there.  They then look at the diorama with lights turned off and LED lights on the diorama are on.

Kuno and Nishimura then try to control a Z Gauge train and Nishimura jokes that the angle of the train is like a CM for JR Tokai Christmas Express.

The next segment features the model railway maker reps including Suzuki Masayuki of TomyTec, Mori Kazuhei of Katsumi, Kawasaki Futoshi of KATO and Ikeda Yuki of Toytek Rokuhan.

Suzuki is up first and he shows the upcoming new releases from TOMIX which include the 485 series, the N700S Shinkansen (and talks about the logo placement), Mori Kazuhei of Katsumi introduces the Sotetsu 12000 series in Yokohama Navy Blue and their latest rolling stock, the 0 series, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the railway.

KATO’s Kawasaki introduces the American classic train, the Big Boy and then the Kumoha 52 1st car Iida Line (Note: This was released on December 28, 2022).  While the prototype was produced, he was unable to show the actual train (thus he brought an image of it). Meanwhile, Ikeda of Rokuhan introduces the C11 325 series.  While small in size, it runs like a real steam train with the coupling rods).

Nishimura was asked if there was a gauge he likes and he likes the Z Gauge but was shocked to see the size of the HO Gauge (while holding the Katsumi 0 series Shinkansen) and then he said, “I’m sure they get a lot of questions, so they will probably bring this back home” (making the guests laugh).

Kuno then each asks of the guests if there is anything they are curious about.  And each talk about why they specialize in what they do, from Ikeda of Rokuhan discussing the Z Gauge, KATO’s Kawasaki saying they still do HO and N gauge as it’s part of their past and present of what demand their customers want, TomyTec’s Suzuki discusses the detail, especially the N700S and overall shape.

KATO’s Kawasaki then talks about how when he saw Suzuki at an event and saw him looking at a truck, he knew that TomyTec will commercialize that truck.  Kawasaki then talked about the plastic making for toytrains and Mori of Katsumi talked about building the mold for the trains.

Kuno then points out about the respect that these rival train makers have for each other.  In fact KATO Kawasaki’s showing his love of a TOMIX release (granted, the TOMIX release was put in a KATO case).

Ikeda then talked about how he started with TOMIX’s Dr. Yellow starter set and grateful for owning that as a kid.

As for TomyTec’s Suzuki, he said how he enjoyed KATO’s SL Ginga series.  Mori of Katsumi then talked about how he would make his own assembly kits with plastic and saw how TomyTec would create things and how they made things cooler and he appreciated that.

Ikeda then commented on what he liked about KATO’s SL Ginga and how he was at a show and heard the soundbox and thought that was cool. And he is grateful for KATO for creating various systems that allow people to enter that world through model trains.

KATO’s Kawasaki said that the soundbox proven to be very popular and has nothing to do with gauges.  And use the sounds for a Z Gauge, you can also enjoy the soundbox with Katsumi trains, TOMIX trains, etc.

They then talk about how they have trains that can work with other trainmakers trains.  Kuno then mentions Katsumi using TomyTec products.  Katsumi’s Mori responded by talking about how cool the TOMIX containers are as they are not vehicles but was appreciative to see how they have been successful to get various licenses of major brands/logos used in Japanese freight in real life and consistently make them.

TOMIX’s Suzuki then talks about KATO’s innovation with first curved elevated tracks which impressed him.

The discussion then goes to the upcoming Yokohama Festa 2023 and a special ticket to commemorate the event.

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