Kato - 10-1246 - Passenger Train, Electric, Tokyu 5000 Series - Tokyu Corporation - 5050-4000

Specific Item Information: This is a 10 car set that represents the full 10 car train of the Tokyu Toyoko line. It includes a motorized car and two cab end cars and comes in a book type case.

Model Information: Kato boxed sets for Japanese Prototypes come in various shapes and sizes. These may contain complete train sets with track and power pack or may be as simple as a pair of passenger coaches. Many of the sets use "bookshelf" boxes with cardboard sleeves and carefully cut foam inserts.

Prototype History: The Tokyu 5000 series (東急5000系 Tōkyū 5000-kei) is an electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by the private railway operator Tokyu Corporation since 2002 on many of its commuter lines in the Tokyo area of Japan. First introduced in 2002, the design is based on the JR East E231 series commuter train, also manufactured by Tokyu Car Corporation (now J-TREC) in Yokohama. All trains are equipped with interior LCD screens, displaying the station names, and automatic announcements in both Japanese and English. The 5000 series uses blue seat moquette fabric, while the 5050 and 5080 series have red seat moquette.

The Series 5050, 5050-4000, 5080 and Y500 are all part of the same family of railcars.

Road Name History: The Tokyu Corporation (東京急行電鉄株式会社 Tōkyō Kyūkō Dentetsu Kabushiki-gaisha), also known in Japanese as Tōkyū Dentetsu (東急電鉄) for short, is a major private railway company, land developer, hotel and retail store operator in the Greater Tokyo Area of Japan. It is part of the Tokyu Group of companies.

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).