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Customers have reported increasing rates of “porch pirate” package thefts. Extend™ Shipping Protection replaces any lost, damaged, or stolen packages, and we recommend adding this protection to your order. FDH is unable to recover lost, damaged, or stolen packages that are not covered by Extend™ Shipping Protection.

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Kato Model Trains

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Kato Model Trains

Kato produces precision models of modern diesels, freight cars, passenger equipment and track products in HO and N Scales, based on American and other prototypes. Most models are produced as limited-runs. Factory Direct Hobbies has the largest selection of Kato available at your finger tips!

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Unitrack CT Double-Track Superelevated Curve - 45 Degrees 282/315mm, N Scale

Kato Unitrack CT Double-Track Superelevated Curve - 45 Degrees 282/315mm, N Scale

$11.69 $15

Earn $0.58 store credit

Browse reviews for Unitrack CT Double-Track Superelevated Curve - 45 Degrees 282/315mm, N Scale

Kato KAT20-184 Unitrack CT Double-Track Superelevated Curve Easement - Left & Right, 22.5 Degrees 282/315mm, N Scale

Kato Kato KAT20-184 Unitrack CT Double-Track Superelevated Curve Easement - Left & Right, 22.5 Degrees 282/315mm, N Scale

$9.45 $13.50

Earn $0.47 store credit

Browse reviews for Kato KAT20-184 Unitrack CT Double-Track Superelevated Curve Easement - Left & Right, 22.5 Degrees 282/315mm, N Scale

Unitrack Electric Remote DoubleCrossover 12-3/16" 310mm, N Scale

Kato Unitrack Electric Remote DoubleCrossover 12-3/16" 310mm, N Scale

$58.44 $75

Earn $2.92 store credit

Browse reviews for Unitrack Electric Remote DoubleCrossover 12-3/16" 310mm, N Scale

Single-Plate Girder Bridge 7-5/16" 186mm Silver, N Scale

Kato Single-Plate Girder Bridge 7-5/16" 186mm Silver, N Scale

$10.52 $13.50

Earn $0.52 store credit

Browse reviews for Single-Plate Girder Bridge 7-5/16" 186mm Silver, N Scale

Double Track Viaduct Approach, N Scale

Kato Double Track Viaduct Approach, N Scale

$12.47 $16

Earn $0.62 store credit

Browse reviews for Double Track Viaduct Approach, N Scale

M2 Basic Oval and Siding with Power Pack, N Scale

Kato M2 Basic Oval and Siding with Power Pack, N Scale

$187.01 $240

Earn $9.35 store credit

Browse reviews for M2 Basic Oval and Siding with Power Pack, N Scale

V12 Double Track Viaduct Set, N Scale

Kato V12 Double Track Viaduct Set, N Scale

$157.49 $225

Earn $7.87 store credit

Browse reviews for V12 Double Track Viaduct Set, N Scale

V13 Double Track Elevated Loop Set, N Scale

Kato V13 Double Track Elevated Loop Set, N Scale

$168 $240

Earn $8.40 store credit

Browse reviews for V13 Double Track Elevated Loop Set, N Scale

V14 Double Track Inner Loop Set, N Scale

Kato V14 Double Track Inner Loop Set, N Scale

$126 $180

Earn $6.30 store credit

Browse reviews for V14 Double Track Inner Loop Set, N Scale

Kato KAT20-876 Unitrack V16 Concrete-Tie Double-Track Outer Loop Set -- Uses 18-7/8 & 17-5/8" Radii Curves, N Scale

Kato Kato KAT20-876 Unitrack V16 Concrete-Tie Double-Track Outer Loop Set -- Uses 18-7/8 & 17-5/8" Radii Curves, N Scale

$147 $210

Earn $7.35 store credit

Browse reviews for Kato KAT20-876 Unitrack V16 Concrete-Tie Double-Track Outer Loop Set -- Uses 18-7/8 & 17-5/8" Radii Curves, N Scale

Kato 22-082 N Scale Power Supply - 12V

Kato 22-082 N Scale Power Supply - 12V

Kato Kato 22-082 N Scale Power Supply - 12V

$38 $40

Earn $1.90 store credit

Browse reviews for Kato 22-082 N Scale Power Supply - 12V

HO Scale Power Supply - 16V

Kato HO Scale Power Supply - 16V

$39.71 $45

Earn $1.98 store credit

Browse reviews for HO Scale Power Supply - 16V

Kato KAT23-015 Unitrack 1/2 to 2" Incline Pier Set, N Scale

Kato Kato KAT23-015 Unitrack 1/2 to 2" Incline Pier Set, N Scale

$15 $20

Earn $0.75 store credit

Browse reviews for Kato KAT23-015 Unitrack 1/2 to 2" Incline Pier Set, N Scale

Double Track Incline Pier Basic Set, N Scale

Kato Double Track Incline Pier Basic Set, N Scale

$38.96 $50

Earn $1.94 store credit

Browse reviews for Double Track Incline Pier Basic Set, N Scale

Double Track Warren Truss Catenary Poles - Pack of 6, N Scale

Kato Double Track Warren Truss Catenary Poles - Pack of 6, N Scale

$17.14 $20

Earn $0.85 store credit

Browse reviews for Double Track Warren Truss Catenary Poles - Pack of 6, N Scale

Overhead Transit Station Expansion Set, N Scale

Kato Overhead Transit Station Expansion Set, N Scale

$41.47 $47

Earn $2.07 store credit

Browse reviews for Overhead Transit Station Expansion Set, N Scale

Station Entrance, N Scale

Kato Station Entrance, N Scale

$8.99

Earn $0.44 store credit

Browse reviews for Station Entrance, N Scale

Kato KAT23-300 Long Engine House, N Scale

Kato Kato KAT23-300 Long Engine House, N Scale

$29.88 $35

Earn $1.49 store credit

Browse reviews for Kato KAT23-300 Long Engine House, N Scale

Kato KAT23-310 Industrial Building, N Scale

Kato Kato KAT23-310 Industrial Building, N Scale

$43.54 $51

Earn $2.17 store credit

Browse reviews for Kato KAT23-310 Industrial Building, N Scale

Street Sign Set, N Scale

Kato Street Sign Set, N Scale

$18.35 $21.50

Earn $0.91 store credit

Browse reviews for Street Sign Set, N Scale

Kato KAT24-827 3-Way Extension Cord, N Scale

Kato Kato KAT24-827 3-Way Extension Cord, N Scale

$5.33 $6.50

Earn $0.26 store credit

Browse reviews for Kato KAT24-827 3-Way Extension Cord, N Scale

Unitrack T-Trak Subterrain Straight Kit, N Scale

Kato Unitrack T-Trak Subterrain Straight Kit, N Scale

$51.22 $60

Earn $2.56 store credit

Browse reviews for Unitrack T-Trak Subterrain Straight Kit, N Scale

Unitrack T-Trak Subterrain Corner Kit, N Scale

Kato Unitrack T-Trak Subterrain Corner Kit, N Scale

$52.94 $60

Earn $2.64 store credit

Browse reviews for Unitrack T-Trak Subterrain Corner Kit, N Scale

Kato KAT29-351 EM13 DCC Decoder, N Scale

Kato Kato KAT29-351 EM13 DCC Decoder, N Scale

$25.61 $30

Earn $1.28 store credit

Browse reviews for Kato KAT29-351 EM13 DCC Decoder, N Scale

Recently viewed

Factory Direct Hobbies is a family owned business based in Asheville, NC that began in 2006 as Factory Direct Trains. For 14 years, we focused on bringing our customers the finest, cutting edge model railroading products available. During that time, we've expanded our model railroading inventory to one of the widest and most up-to-date in the world. But we've also grown our customer base and offerings to include hobby products that go well beyond trains, like the Bandai Gundam franchise. Our goal is to provide the best selection of hobby products in the world, at prices that make purchasing from us easy.

7 Glenn Bridge Rd, Unit B
Arden, NC 28704
tel: (828) 818-1404

WE ARE ONLINE ONLY: no in-person shopping or store pickup.

Factory Direct Hobbies strives to make our website accessible. We are committed to diversity, inclusion, and meeting the needs of all of our customers, including those with disabilities. We are continually improving our website to comply with the accessibility guidelines in WCAG 2.1 Levels A and AA. Further accessibility efforts are under way and we continue to update our website to improve accessibility. In the meantime, if the format of any material on our web pages interferes with your ability to access the information, please contact us to request assistance or if you have questions or comments about our web site’s accessibility. Please call (828) 818-1404, e-mail ask@factorydirecthobbies.com, or submit an inquiry using the gold chat bubble in the bottom right hand corner of our website.

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Preorder FAQs

How preorders work

How do preorders work?

Guarantee your reservation on any item marked with the red "Preorder item" flag, by paying just 10% down. Preorder items also display a date badge indicating the anticipated arrival.
We will email your invoice approximately 30-45 days before your preorder item lands at the warehouse. This interactive invoice will allow you to select your preferred shipping method, and pay the balance of your order, right online!
We'll ship you your preorder once your item arrives at our warehouse. Preorder fulfillments are queued in the order in which they were paid for.

Preorders used to be $0. What happened?

Recently, our suppliers have made a major policy change and are no longer accepting product returns for non-paying end customers. After much consideration, we unfortunately must also change our policies to align with the realities our suppliers have created.

As our preorder offerings have grown, we’ve found that a large percentage of preorder reservations are canceled or left unpaid without notice. We pay our suppliers for every preorder item that arrives at our warehouse, so when a customer does not pay for their item, we are left no choice but to absorb that cost. We have tried our best to cope with the effects of this change; however, after more than a year of trying, we have found we cannot continue to do so.

We understand that this is an unwelcome change, and no one wants to pay earlier than necessary. However, this is unavoidable in order for us to be able to continue to offer the wide variety of preorder options you’re used to getting from Factory Direct Hobbies. We must now ask that customers pay a 10% good-faith down payment toward the price of their item. This non-refundable good-faith payment is applied to the price of the product, and the balance (plus shipping and any applicable taxes) will be invoiced approximately 30-45 days before the item is slated to arrive at our warehouse.

We thank you for your patience and understanding. If you have questions or would like further clarification, feel free to contact us through the gold chat bubble.

Is my 10% down payment refundable?

The good-faith down payment is not refundable if you choose to cancel your preorder or do not pay your invoice.

However, if a manufacturer cancels a project for which you have made a down payment, you will receive a refund for your down payment.

If the manufacturer cancels a project, will I get my 10% down payment back?

Yes. We know that paying ahead of time can be unnerving when delivery dates are distant, and not every project makes it to the production line. Rest assured that, in the event the manufacturer cancels your preorder project, you will be refunded your 10% down payment.

Hobbies should be fun, not stressful!

If my item gets delayed, can I get my 10% down payment back?

The manufacturing process involves many different moving parts, and this complexity often renders production timelines unpredictable. Therefore, some level of unpredictability in timing is inherent to preordering hobby products. Down payments are not refundable in cases of routine manufacturing, delivery, or other short-term delays.

However, we know it can be frustrating when a project gets delayed for many months. In the event a project is delayed more than 6 months beyond the delivery window originally estimated by the manufacturer, we will handle refunds of down payments on a case-by-case basis.

Friendly Reminder: Should you choose to cancel a preorder, it will no longer be reserved for you; in the event the item becomes available on our website, all customers will have equal access to purchase the item.

I preordered items for $0 before this policy change. Do I owe a down payment?

Nope! The policy is not retroactive: if you already made a preorder reservation before this policy update, you do not owe a down payment for that reservation. However, any future preorders you make will require the 10% good-faith down payment.

When will I get my preorder item?

We make every effort to keep our website updated with information that reflects manufacturers' current estimated delivery schedules. To find the estimated delivery month of an item, you can visit our Preorder Section and use the filters to narrow down your selection.

However, we encourage you to directly visit the manufacturer's site for the most current delivery dates.

How do I pay the balance of my preorder?

Approximately 30-45 days before your preorder items land at the warehouse, we'll email your invoice to you to pay in full. At this point, you'll be able to provide your shipping address and select your preferred shipping method.

Your item will be reserved for 7 days, beginning when your invoice is sent. After 7 days, your preorder will be canceled.

Why do I have to pay for my preorder before it arrives at the warehouse?

Recently, our suppliers have made a major policy change and are no longer accepting product returns for non-paying end customers. We have tried our best to absorb the effects of this change; however, after more than a year of trying, we have found we cannot continue to do so. After much consideration, we unfortunately must also change our policies to align with the realities our suppliers have created.

As a result, we must now ask that customers pay in full prior to the supplier finalizing shipment to FDH, about 30-45 days ahead of product arrival. This gives us the time we need to cancel with our suppliers any unpaid orders prior to shipment.

We understand that this is an unwelcome change and no one wants to pay earlier than necessary. However, this is unavoidable in order for us to be able to continue to offer the wide variety of preorder options you’re used to getting from Factory Direct Hobbies.

One silver lining is that this change will result in preorder items getting to your door even faster, as all payment processing will be well out of the way and the usual several day wait after product has arrived will be eliminated. We thank you for your patience and understanding. If you have questions or would like further clarification, feel free to contact us through the gold chat bubble.

What if my preorder item gets delayed after I pay my invoice?

Manufacturing schedules can sometimes be unpredictable. In the event your preorder item does not arrive at our warehouse within 60 days of your invoice payment, then you will have the option to cancel your preorder and receive a refund OR you may elect to continue waiting for the item.

Friendly Reminder: Should you choose to cancel a preorder, it will no longer be reserved for you; in the event the item becomes available on our website, all customers will have equal access to purchase the item.

I need a bit more time to pay. Can my reservation be extended?

We know life happens, and missing out on a great item can be a drag!

We're here to help; just contact us via the gold chat bubble and we'll do all we can to work with you!

How do I view all of my preorders?

If you have an account with factorydirecthobbies.com, you can view all your preorders, as well as your active orders. Login to your account, and select the “My orders” option. All your preorders and active orders will be listed along with the current status of each order. If you have further questions about your order, please feel free to reach out to us through the gold chat bubble.

Where can I find the most up-to-date information on preorder statuses?

Although we try to keep our preorder arrival estimates as accurate as possible, we encourage you to visit each manufacturer’s website to find the most up-to-date delivery information.

For instance, with Athearn and Walthers, you can enter the part number into their websites and navigate to the item. Most of the time, the delivery date will be listed there. Broadway Limited has a published delivery schedule, as does Rapido.

Rewards and Preorders

Can I use rewards for preorders?

Yes. Rewards can be used on both your 10% good-faith down payment and on the balance of your preorder at invoicing time.

Can I earn rewards on preorders?

Yes! Preorders are awarded reward dollars at the same 5% rate. You'll receive your reward within several days of paying the balance of your preorder invoice.

Still more questions?

Contact Us

If we still haven't answered your question, please click the gold messaging bubble in the bottom right of our site, and we'll help in any way we can!