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. In addition to producing
ready-to-run HO and N scale models that are universally hailed for their high
level of detail, craftsmanship and operation, KATO also manufactures UNITRACK.
UNITRACK is the finest rail & roadbed modular track system available to
modelers today. With the track and roadbed integrated into a single piece,
UNITRACK features a nickel-silver rail and a realistic-looking roadbed.
Patented UNIJOINERS allow sections to be snapped together quickly and
securely, time after time if necessary. The Kato U.S.A. office and warehouse
facility is located in Schaumburg, Illinois, approximately 30 miles northwest
of Chicago. All research & development of new North American products is
performed here, in addition to the sales and distribution of merchandise to a
vast network of wholesale representatives and retail dealers. Models requiring
service sent in by hobbyists are usually attended to at this location as well.
The manufacturing of all KATO products is performed in Japan. Supporters of
KATO should note that there is currently no showroom or operating exhibit of
models at the Schaumburg facility. Furthermore, model parts are the only
merchandise sold directly to consumers. (Please view the Parts Catalog of this
website for more specific information.)

Gunderson MAXI-IV Double Stack Well Car -- TTX #732750 Intermodal container service is one of the most popular types of freight service on rails today. The Maxi-IV car is the mainstay of the U.S. domestic double-stack car fleet. Providing an optimum balance between tare weight and capacity, the Gunderson MAXI-IV is a 3-unit articulated double-stack car that can handle containers from 20-foot to 53-foot long in the well and containers 40-foot to 57-foot in the top, or double-stacked, position. As of a result of its versatility and sturdy construction, the MAXI-IV is now the mainstay of the U.S. domestic double-stack fleet. The popularity of this car on North American rails is underscored by its popularity with model railroaders today