Kato LNER ‘Azuma’
◆ GAUGE ‘N’ ◆ MODEL Kato 10-1674 Class 800/2 800209 LNER livery ◆ PRICE £209.95 ◆ AVAILABILITY Kato stockists
Kato’s recently released Class 800 IEP in GWR livery has now been joined by its LNER ‘Azuma’-liveried counterpart. LNER introduced the Class 800 units from 2019, two years after they entered service in the west of England, operating them first from London to Leeds and Hull and then, after a short period, on its Anglo-scottish services.
When unveiled in 2016 the trains were branded ‘Azuma’ by now-defunct operator Virgin East Coast. The name is a translation of ‘East’ in Japanese, and has been retained by LNER. The East Coast trains are designated Class 800/2 and differ from the GWR Class 800/0 (recently reviewed in Model Rail) in having a buffet counter in the second coach (B). In the model this is the powered car, but while the mechanism is the same, the bodyshell accurately reflects the additional plated-over windows. The other vehicles
in the set are a Driving Standard (A), a Standard Open (C), a Composite (D) and a Driving First (E). In the UK this model is supplied with a short length of Kato Unitrack for display purposes, though it’s understood models in Japan are packaged with the train only, along with an instruction sheet and small plastic screwdriver to aid fitting a DCC decoder. Operationally this model is identical to the GWR, with a smooth motor, working directional lights, crisply moulded bodyshells and very clear glazed windows.
The models feature Kato’s own design of Scharfenberg coupler, with un-sprung kinematic mounts, between vehicles and these can be easily snapped together on the track. For those wishing to fit DCC control, Kato’s own dedicated DCC decoders are available to control the motor in car B and for the lights in cars A and E. These slot into recesses accessed via removable panels on the underside.
The LNER livery – with its white bodysides relieved by horizontal red window bands – is very stylish and Kato have reproduced this superbly. The silver accent lines on the nose are beautifully smooth and precisely located, while the window bands – which are actually a maroon base relieved by stripes in bright red and orange in varying thicknesses – are superb. The main LNER and Azuma brandings are very neat and show no fuzziness.
The small carriage markings, such as seat numbers and bicycle, buffet and wheelchair icons, have all been correctly printed, though no attempt has been made to print emergency door opener or OHLE warnings beyond basic green and yellow blocks. The interiors are in a dark red-brown self-coloured plastic
Also, as with the GWR version, there is a very slight mismatch between the yellow on the bodyshell beneath the cab window and the yellow on the nose cone, though some photographs suggest this can sometimes be seen on the prototype too.
Criticisms of that model – the lack of detail on the inner faces of the coaches, the moulded and unpainted underframes and bogies, missing driver’s steps, plastic pantograph head, apply to this model too. However, these criticisms should be set against the price which, even at full RRP of £209.95, is very competitive compared with similar ‘N’ gauge models from other manufacturers.
Until now the only option for those wishing to model the modern-era East Coast Main Line was the very dated IC225 Class 91 and Mk 4 sets produced by Graham Farish more than 25 years ago. This model gives enthusiasts modelling the present day ECML a much improved and far more accurate alternative. (BA)