Kato - 14-803 - Toyamako Tram - Manyosen Light Rail - 1000

Model Information: See a video of this train running on youtube.

Road Name History: Manyosen (万葉線株式会社, Man'yōsen Kabushiki-gaisha) is an electric railway company based in Takaoka, Toyama, Japan. It operates two city tram lines: the Shinminatokō Line and the Takaoka Kidō Line. The tram lines originally operated by Kaetsunō Railway were transferred to the newly established Manyosen in 2002.

Brand/Importer Information: Kato Precision Railroad Models (関水金属株式会社 Sekisui Kinzoku Kabushikigaisha) is a Japanese manufacturer of model railroad equipment in N and HO scales. The Tokyo-based company manufactures models based on Japanese prototypes (such as the Shinkansen bullet train) for the Japanese market, North American prototypes for the North American market and European high-speed trains for European market.
The Kato (pronounced kah-toe) model railroad companies were founded by Yuji Kato, father of current president Hiroshi Kato, of the parent company Sekisui Kinzoku Co., Ltd.

The design and distribution of models for the North American market are handled by their U.S. subsidiary, Kato USA, located in Schaumburg, Illinois.
The design of special models for the European market is handled for some of them by their partner, Lemke, whereas the general distribution of Kato products in Europe is handled by NOCH; both companies are located in Germany.
As a result, some Kato European models are sold as Kato Lemke and others as Kato (alone).