{"rewrite":{"id":"r_25b7c32a80a23f5fa94c72a2","clusterId":"c_3f6b63a3d4b68abdb9e6e154","slug":"international-railway-model-convention-2026-roundup-kato-tomix-and-more","model":"deepseek-v4-flash","headline":"International Railway Model Convention 2026 Roundup: KATO, TOMIX and More","summary":"Dengeki Hobby Web summarizes new model train announcements from the 25th International Railway Model Convention held August 21-23, 2026, at Tokyo Big Sight. KATO showcased its upcoming THE ROYAL EXPRESS cruise train and Keio 5000/5100 series, while TOMIX displayed EF58 locomotives and the Salon Express Tokyo. HO and Z gauge items from other makers were also covered.","whyItMatters":"The convention report consolidates the key new N, HO, and Z gauge releases across major manufacturers, giving collectors a single overview of upcoming products and their release timing.","webCardHtml":"\u003cp\u003eThe 25th International Railway Model Convention ran for three days at Tokyo Big Sight, and Dengeki Hobby Web\u0026#39;s after-report gathers the new product announcements that surfaced across manufacturer booths. KATO drew attention with its November release of the THE ROYAL EXPRESS cruise train in N gauge, complete with working table lamps in six of its eight cars, plus a separate passenger-car conversion set in development. The Keio 5000/5100 series, announced in August, was shown as unpainted samples ahead of a December release.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTOMIX marked its 50th anniversary with several high-profile N gauge items, including the EF58 61 locomotive and Salon Express Tokyo due in January 2027, followed by the EF58 127 and the 20-series \u0026#34;Ginga\u0026#34; express in February, and a new fine-scale 9600 steam locomotive in March. HO scale releases from TOMIX include the E231 series for the Chuo-Sobu and Musashino lines in September 2026.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKATO THE ROYAL EXPRESS (Izukyu 2100 series)\u003c/strong\u003e: 8-car set with illuminated table lamps, November release; passenger-car conversion set with power car Mani 50 2186 in development\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKATO Keio 5000/5100 series\u003c/strong\u003e: Unpainted samples shown; 4-car basic and 3-car add-on sets (December) plus a 7-car special set\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKATO 211系 1000/3000 series\u003c/strong\u003e: September 2026 release\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKATO E131系 800 series (Senseki Line)\u003c/strong\u003e: October 2026 release\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKATO C57 1 (re-release)\u003c/strong\u003e: December 2026, paired with 35系 4000 series for SL Yamaguchi\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKATO automatic level crossing (improved)\u003c/strong\u003e: In development; crossing arms close one at a time\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKATO Just Plug lighting parts\u003c/strong\u003e: Samples shown for feeder signs, yard lights, and bare bulbs\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKATO EC-1 two-hand handle and sound box expansion\u003c/strong\u003e: In planning; possible poster announcement by winter\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTOMIX EF58 61 and Salon Express Tokyo\u003c/strong\u003e: January 2027 release; line-painted Salon Express sample shown for the first time\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTOMIX EF58 127 and 20-series express Ginga\u003c/strong\u003e: February 2027 release; interior parts as separate pieces\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTOMIX 9600 steam locomotive (Hokkaido type)\u003c/strong\u003e: March 2027; new fine-scale tooling with lighting\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTOMIX E231系 (HO)\u003c/strong\u003e: Chuo-Sobu and Musashino line versions, September 2026\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTOMIX E501系 (reference exhibit)\u003c/strong\u003e: Updated spec with new skirt; details to be announced\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ul\u003e","blueskyPost":"KATO and TOMIX anchor the 2026 convention, but the real gauge diversity comes from smaller makers like Rokuhan in Z scale and Katsumi, Endo, and Tenshodo in HO. The roundup treats them as equals, not niche afterthoughts.","twitterPost":"KATO and TOMIX lead the 2026 convention, but Rokuhan's Z gauge and Katsumi, Endo, and Tenshodo's HO gear show the market's breadth beyond N scale.","threadsPost":"KATO's THE ROYAL EXPRESS and TOMIX's EF58s dominate the 2026 convention coverage, but the roundup's real weight is in the smaller scales: Rokuhan in Z, and Katsumi, Endo, and Tenshodo in HO. The market isn't just N gauge anymore, and the show floor reflects that.","newsletterBlurb":"Dengeki Hobby Web's after-report on the 25th International Railway Model Convention rounds up the major N, HO, and Z gauge announcements. KATO's THE ROYAL EXPRESS and Keio 5000/5100 lead the N gauge slate, while TOMIX marks its 50th anniversary with EF58 locomotives and a new 9600 steam engine.","attributionJson":"[{\"source\":\"Dengeki Hobby Web\",\"url\":\"https://hobby.dengeki.com/event/3151212/\",\"title\":\"第25回国際鉄道模型コンベンション・企業ブースで発表された新製品情報などを総括！KATO「THE ROYAL EXPRESS」やTOMIXのEF58形などNゲージ、ロクハンのZゲージ、カツミ・エンドウ・天賞堂のHOゲージもチェック！\"}]","lintFlagsJson":null,"lintHits":0,"costUsd":0,"inputTokens":6810,"outputTokens":1268,"status":"published","repairAttempts":0,"nextRepairAt":null,"factsAttemptedAt":1788781468,"createdAt":"2026-09-07T11:40:36.000Z","publishedAt":"2026-09-07T11:43:23.000Z","updatedAt":"2026-09-07T11:43:23.000Z"},"cluster":{"id":"c_3f6b63a3d4b68abdb9e6e154","canonicalTitle":"第25回国際鉄道模型コンベンション・企業ブースで発表された新製品情報などを総括！KATO「THE ROYAL EXPRESS」やTOMIXのEF58形などNゲージ、ロクハンのZゲージ、カツミ・エンドウ・天賞堂のHOゲージもチェック！","representativeArticleId":"a_67c3bff2505034e21cb26a4f","sourceCount":1,"writtenSourceCount":1,"writeAttempts":0,"isSolo":true,"entitiesJson":"{\"anime_titles\":[],\"manga_titles\":[],\"work_titles\":[\"THE ROYAL EXPRESS\",\"EF58形\"],\"studios\":[],\"people\":[],\"type\":\"news\",\"domain\":\"other\",\"is_roundup\":true}","contentType":"news","status":"published","firstSeenAt":"2026-09-07T11:00:00.000Z","lastSeenAt":"2026-09-07T11:00:00.000Z","updatedAt":"2026-09-07T11:43:20.000Z"},"attribution":[{"source":"Dengeki Hobby Web","url":"https://hobby.dengeki.com/event/3151212/","title":"第25回国際鉄道模型コンベンション・企業ブースで発表された新製品情報などを総括！KATO「THE ROYAL EXPRESS」やTOMIXのEF58形などNゲージ、ロクハンのZゲージ、カツミ・エンドウ・天賞堂のHOゲージもチェック！"}],"entities":{"anime_titles":[],"manga_titles":[],"work_titles":["THE ROYAL EXPRESS","EF58形"],"studios":[],"people":[],"type":"news","domain":"other","is_roundup":true},"keyFacts":null}