Kato - 25-2027 - Locomotive, Steam, 2-6-0 C50 - Kato Precision Railroad Models - 5050

Specific Item Information: 2027 C50 Steam Locomotive KATO N gauge 50th Anniversary product

Model Information: Kato produces model locomotives of Japanese Prototypes that come in various shapes and sizes.

Prototype History: The Class C50 (C50形) is a type of 2-6-0 steam locomotive built in Japan from 1929 to 1933. A total of 154 Class C50 locomotives were built, with manufacturing shared by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Kisha Seizo, Nippon Sharyo, Hitachi, and Mitsubishi. Five were supplied to the Taiwan Government Railway, where they were classified class CT230.

Road Name History: KATO U.S.A. was established in 1986, with the first U.S. locomotive model (the GP38-2, in N-Scale) released in 1987. Since that time, KATO has come to be known as one of the leading manufacturers of precision railroad products for the modeling community. KATO's parent company, Sekisui Kinzoku Co., Ltd., is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.

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).