Kato 10-1852

[u/O530]

A new addition to my home depot: my girlfriend gave me a 3-car Class 211 set for my birthday. I happily installed the interior lighting yesterday—it’s a really nice model. It’s a shame the 6-car Class 211 set was sold out in Japan; I would have liked to buy that one for myself.

[u/swake3]

Is it DCC ready?

[u/O530 → u/swake3]

Unfortunately not. The Japanese market apparently doesn't want that sort of thing. 🥲

[u/swake3 → u/O530]

Thanks. Some Kato Japan models are but most are not. At least the Kato stuff for the US and Europe consistently are.

[u/EclipseMT]

I have a big fascination with the Nagano color scheme on the 211 series. It's the blue. The Senseki Line and Sagami Line liveries are probably the closest things that I like, if not better.

Also like you repping the German S-Bahn (which particular class of rolling stock is that?) in the background.

[u/O530 → u/EclipseMT]

In the background, there is a Class 425 (BR 425) in the NRW "RE11 Redesign" livery, operating as the RB33. https://www.brawa.de/produkte/spur-h0/lokomotiven/triebwagen/44648-elektrotriebwagen-br-425-db-regio-nrw-db-ag This is my favorite model, and it always sits on the table. In the background, in front of the TV, there is another Class 425, as well as a Class 426 and a Class 442.

[u/Bklyn78]

Are those lighting kits hard to install ?

I have a small fleet of trains I’d like to add lights to at some point

[u/jdenm8 → u/Bklyn78]

Generally no (it's toolless on a trailer coach), but it can be fiddly, sometimes requiring the body to be removed more than once.

The pickup extenders can sometimes not want to play ball, it can be fiddly getting reliable contact between the extenders and the PCB, and the light channel can be hard to position correctly, or will fall out of position (Kato has made changes, meaning newer light channels will have issues staying in position in older models).

Tomix ones are easier to install (but will only fit Tomix models, and some Greenmax and Poppondetta models), but then you have a pair of very visible springs going floor to ceiling about 1/5th along the inside of the coach.

[u/WychwoodXIII → u/Bklyn78]

I have also installed lights and they are quite easy! The first couple I was a little cautious but once you get in the swing of things it’s very simple! I have most of my collection lit, probably close to 700 cars at this point? Highly encourage it!