Product Description

1/80 scale plastic model, pre-painted and assembled.
Japanese National Railways Ku5000 type car transport car

The most successful and masterful train in the history of Japanese National Railways freight transport: The main player that supported the motorization of the Showa era is revived.

[About the actual vehicle]
In the 1960s, with the advancement of motorization in Japan, improving the efficiency of finished vehicle transportation became an urgent necessity.
At the time, car transport vehicles were often specialized for specific manufacturers' vehicle models, which led to inefficiencies such as empty vehicles on the return journey.
To address these issues, the Ku5000 series was introduced in 1966 as a versatile vehicle that could be used without being limited to specific types of trains.
By 1973, a total of 932 units had been manufactured, including prototypes, and it became known as the most successful and masterpiece locomotive in the history of Japanese National Railways freight services.

The vehicle's body is characterized by its vibrant vermilion color (No. 3), and it employs a sturdy, lattice-like frame structure that allows for the loading of automobiles in two tiers, upper and lower.
With a long body of approximately 20.5m in length, it can carry 8 regular passenger cars or up to 12 kei cars (mini vehicles).
Loading and unloading was done using a self-propelled system, where vehicles would move under their own power using platforms stretched across the ends of freight cars to load the cargo.
Another notable feature was the installation of special protective sheets tailored to each vehicle model to protect the vehicle from dirt and scratches during transport.

In 1967, the limited express freight train "Arrow," composed solely of Ku5000 series cars, began operation.
Once it began full operation, all domestic manufacturers, including Nissan and Toyota, used it, and by 1972, the annual number of vehicles transported reached 790,000 (approximately 30% of domestic production).
These stations were the main players supporting the motorization of Japan during the Showa era, and large-scale transportation bases, particularly Kitano-Masuzuka Station (Aichi Prefecture), functioned as key logistics hubs supporting Japan's automobile industry.

However, from the late 1970s onward, the Japanese National Railways' fare increases and a series of strikes led to a rapid decline in its market share.
Automobile manufacturers shifted to land transport using dedicated ships and car carriers, and the practice was completely phased out in 1985.
Later, some of these trains were revived as the Nissan Motor Company's export train, the "Nissan-go," and 64 more were inherited by JR Freight. However, with the advancement of containerization in transportation, all operations ceased by 1996, and the train type was discontinued.
Although all of the Ku5000 series cars have finished their service and disappeared, Ku5902, which was statically preserved at Utsunomiya Freight Terminal Station, has now been relocated and preserved in Nasukarasuyama City, Tochigi Prefecture.
This is the only remaining vehicle of its kind in the entire country, and it still conveys the vestiges of a glorious era that quietly supported the advancement of road transportation in Japan.

[Details of each part]
We conducted on-site research on the only surviving preserved railcar, Ku 5902, located in Nasukarasuyama City, Tochigi Prefecture.
With permission, we conducted meticulous dimensional measurements and structural investigations, faithfully reproducing even the smallest details.

The prototype that this product replicates is the [3rd generation].
The third-generation model refers to the group of 470 cars manufactured between 1967 and 1968, the largest number of cars produced for this type.
There are two main features. First, the fastening hardware storage box, which was previously only located on the lower level (up to the second model) and therefore inconvenient, has now been added under the upper step.
*The storage boxes for the fastening hardware were gradually added to conventional vehicles starting in 1971.
The second point is that we lowered the height of the tire guide board by 20mm to create more space (height) in the lower section.

[Product Specifications]
·prototype
Third-generation model: Introduced in 1967. This is the most numerous group of this type (470 units) that were manufactured, making it a representative group.
・Product form
Pre-painted, fully assembled model (Vehicle number: Selectable via dry transfer decals; Gangway plate: Included part)
・Minimum passing radius
R550 (*Continuous S-curves are not allowed / Crossovers can pass through point 6)
Coupler
The standard couplers are compatible with Kadee couplers and EZ Mate couplers.
*Also compatible with replacement with Kadee coupler #153 (sold separately).
• Load capacity
Compatible with loading vehicles with covers (sold separately) (two types planned, depending on whether or not fender mirrors are included).

[Each part material]
Body/Underbody: ABS (plastic)
Railing: Metal (etched)
Wheels: Brass (black nickel plated)

*Please note that the release date and product specifications may be subject to change.

Product Specifications

Item series

Freight Car

Item code

1101

JAN code

4595775905019

Purchase Information