Kato - 24-771 - Figures, People, Railroad, Workers - People

Model Information: Sets that come in a plastic box were made for Kato by the German Company Preiser. The more recent releases come in a blister pack with the name DioTown on the label are made in China.

Road Name History: What would any model railroad layout be without people? The conductors, engineers, passengers, passers-by and all the many things that people do in their daily lives are what make a model railroad come alive.

Model railroad figures are typically made from molded plastic, but are also available made from resin, pewter and even 3D-printing. They can come in either painted or undecorated form and are available in a wide variety of activities. Not just passengers and crew, but more obscure types of figures are available such as bee-keepers, skaters, sunbathers and fire-fighters.

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).