This Katsumi (KTM) N700 Series Shinkansen “Nozomi” is a highly detailed HO-scale brass reproduction of Japan’s N700 high-speed train. Katsumi produced the original N700 as a series of individual cars representing the complete 16-car train.
TrainReference’s original photographs show both an aerodynamic driving car and a pantograph-equipped intermediate car. Details visible in the photographs include the N700 blue-and-white livery, distinctive nose profile, illuminated tail lights and the elaborate pantograph shielding used on the prototype.
At a Glance
- Manufacturer: Katsumi (KTM)
- Prototype: N700 Series Shinkansen
- Service: Nozomi
- Scale: HO, 1:87
- Track gauge: 16.5 mm
- Construction: Brass
- Railways represented: JR Central / JR West N700 Series
- Prototype service introduction: 2007
- Katsumi product series: KTM-140 through KTM-155
Katsumi N700 Series Shinkansen
Katsumi produced the original N700 “Nozomi” as an HO-scale brass model using individual products for each car in the prototype’s 16-car formation. The complete range ran from KTM-140 through KTM-155.
The series included driving cars, powered intermediate cars, pantograph cars and Green Cars, allowing a modeler to reproduce the complete N700 formation or assemble a shorter representative train.
The TrainReference photographs document examples from this original N700 product family. No individual Katsumi item number is assigned here because the car number markings needed to distinguish the exact catalog references are not sufficiently visible in the surviving photographs.
The N700 Shinkansen
The N700 Series was developed for high-speed service on Japan’s Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen routes. Following testing of a prototype train, production N700 equipment entered commercial service in July 2007.
The N700 incorporated numerous improvements over the preceding 700 Series. One of its most recognizable features is its long aerodynamic nose, designed to reduce aerodynamic resistance and pressure effects at high speed.
N700 trainsets became closely associated with Nozomi, the fastest stopping pattern on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen.
Driving Car
One of the TrainReference photographs shows an N700 driving car in profile and in close views of the nose.
The model reproduces the prototype’s distinctive long nose, recessed windshield, blue waist stripes and N700 side logo. The photographs also demonstrate the model’s operating lighting, including illuminated red tail lights.
In a full 16-car N700 formation, the driving cars are the 783 type at the Tokyo end and the 784 type at the Hakata end. Katsumi offered these as separate products in its N700 range.
Pantograph Car
Another original photograph provides a close view of one of the pantograph-equipped intermediate cars. The model reproduces the pantograph itself as well as the large aerodynamic shields surrounding the roof equipment.
These shields are a particularly distinctive visual feature of the N700 and make the photographed car readily identifiable as part of the N700 Shinkansen family.
Katsumi’s 16-Car N700 Range
Katsumi’s original N700 range represented the complete 16-car formation with individual HO-scale products:
- KTM-140: Car 1 – 783 type
- KTM-141: Car 2 – 787 type
- KTM-142: Car 3 – 786-500 type
- KTM-143: Car 4 – 785 type, powered
- KTM-144: Car 5 – 785-300 type, pantograph
- KTM-145: Car 6 – 786 type, powered
- KTM-146: Car 7 – 787-400 type
- KTM-147: Car 8 – 775 type
- KTM-148: Car 9 – 776 type
- KTM-149: Car 10 – 777 type
- KTM-150: Car 11 – 786-700 type
- KTM-151: Car 12 – 785-600 type, powered/pantograph
- KTM-152: Car 13 – 785-500 type
- KTM-153: Car 14 – 786-200 type, powered
- KTM-154: Car 15 – 787-500 type
- KTM-155: Car 16 – 784 type
N700 vs. N700A
The model documented here represents the original N700 Series, not the later N700A.
The N700A was an evolutionary development introduced after the original N700 and carries distinctive “A” branding. Katsumi subsequently produced HO-scale N700A models as a separate product family. The TrainReference photographs and the original 2012 documentation predate those later Katsumi N700A releases.
Identifying the TrainReference Models
Features visible in the original photographs include:
- Katsumi/KTM HO-scale N700 Series design
- White body with twin blue waist stripes
- N700 side branding
- Long aerodynamic driving-car nose
- Operating head/tail lighting
- Pantograph-equipped intermediate car
- Large aerodynamic pantograph shields
- Detailed roof and underbody equipment
Original Photos
These photographs show Katsumi’s HO-scale N700 Series as originally documented by TrainReference.
References and Further Reading
Current N700 Model Listings
Current eBay listings related to N700 Shinkansen models are shown below. Katsumi’s brass HO models should not be confused with the much more common N-scale N700 models or with Katsumi’s later N700A series.
As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase.
 *Katsumi KTM HO Brass Shinkansen KTM HO 0 Series 5 Car Set! - Used Amazing! |  KTM, RARE VINTAGE KATSUMI SHINKANSEN BULLET TRAIN, HO, MODELS #22, 15 & 2, JAPAN |
Rare KTM HO E4 Series Shinkansen Max New Paint 8-Car Set Japan Brand New Sealed
Rare Shinkansen KTM HO 0 Series Early 4-Car Set Japan Limited Brand New Sealed
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