KATO 1-574 (HO) Sleeper Express Hokutosei OHA 25-500 Series Lounge Car

Picture hotel-like comfort rolling through Hokkaido nights behind this HO scale lounge car. The blue body with gold band and shooting star motif captures 1990s Hokutosei luxury. Inside, a lobby area, shower room, and vending machines wait behind accurately modeled windows. Gray H rubber on destination blinds matches late-era appearance.

Key Features

• Authentic HO scale reproduction of series 24 Hokutosei lobby car OHA25-500

• Distinct window arrangement and blue body with gold band from JR East Oku Yard, late 1990s

• Shooting star motif and lobby car class markings accurately printed

• Interior includes reproduced lobby area, shower room, and vending machine positions

• Air conditioner modeled as modified AU77 unit with stainless steel texture

• Telephone antenna parts included for car end installation

• Destination blind and class marking H rubber in gray (OHA25-500 only; other cars use black)

• Curtains visible through side windows are separate realistic parts

• Factory printed car numbers, end face markings, and class markings

• Silver finish on shoe sills and door rails

• KATO telescoping close coupling knuckle couplers

• DCC friendly

Why Choose This
You obtain the missing piece for a complete 1999–2006 Hokotosei 3 and 4 consist. This lounge car let overnight passengers socialize, shower, and buy drinks mid-journey. The stainless AU77 air conditioner and telephone antenna set it apart from standard 24-series cars. Pair with the separately sold Orohane24 and Sushi24 two-car set for fuller formations.

Product Information

• Scale: HO Gauge (1/87 scale, 16.5mm gauge)

• Body material: Plastic, pre-painted finished product

• Motor: None (unpowered trailer car)

• Lights: None (compatible with interior lighting kit Kato 7-504)

• Era: Late 1990s, JR East Oku Yard

• Active region: Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto

• Operator: JR

• Included accessories: destination sticker sheet, car number sticker sheet, direction curtain, car end damper, telephone antenna

• Car reproduced: OHA25-503

This lounge car recreates the social heart of the famous Hokutosei sleeper train. The shooting star motif gleams against the blue gold-banded body. Gray H rubber and stainless AC unit reflect mid-life updates. Add interior lighting to reveal the lobby, shower, and vending machines through the windows.