the JNR class 9600 steam locomotive was produced primarily by kawasaki heavy industries from 1913 thru the late 1920s; the "kunroku" - old man mountain  -  as it was nicknamed was the first japanese mass produced locomotive....828 locomotives were produced and used exclusively in freight service, having a top operating speed of 65 kph. a few 9600s continued to be utilized in special circumstances into the 1960s.......most were supplanted with the arrival of the ubiquitous d51 in the 1930s.....

i acquired this class 9600 model as one of a 12 steam locomotive lot purchased from a collector who averred that he stored the models in his home completely unused.....this model's pristine appearance and other tells confirmed that the collector's avowal had the ring of verisimilitude.........i elected to forego my usual test run.....

the accessories for this model include hand rails for the locomotive body, the main whistle, an alternative locomotive hand post piece which is necessary if the alternative coupler for the front end is utilized, and the number boards.......instructions in japanese with pictures are included......

these post introduction of head lamp pre core less motor kato designs - 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2013-1, 2014, 2015 - have aged beautifully - real gems.......