Starter Set Help: Basic Set, Add-on Set or Starter Set?

The three kinds of box

Box	What is inside	Example (product number)
Basic set 基本セット	Short train with both cab (end) cars. In the KATO sets we list, it also holds the only motor car, so it runs on its own.	KATO 10-1697S (N700S, 4 cars) KATO 10-1969 (E5, 3 cars) TOMIX 98424 (N700S, 4 cars)
Add-on set 増結セット	Middle cars only. They lengthen the basic set and do not run alone unless they contain a motor car. Often split into A and B.	KATO 10-1698 (A, 4 cars), 10-1699 (B, 8 cars)
Starter set スターターセット	The basic-set cars plus an oval of track, a power pack and an AC adapter.	KATO 10-001 (N700S), 10-002 (E5)

The set letters do not mean the same thing between makers. KATO's N700S add-on A holds cars 3, 13, 14 and 15; TOMIX's N700S add-on A holds cars 3, 4, 10 and 11. Always match by product number. The N700S series page shows both splits car by car.

What a KATO starter set contains

Checked on KATO's product pages (2026-10-05):

KATO 10-001 · N Gauge Starter Set N700S Shinkansen "Nozomi"

Cars: KATO: the cars are the same as the 4-car basic set 10-1697S. 4 cars.
Other contents: Unitrack oval equivalent to the M1 set (layout 1337 x 677 mm), Power Pack Standard SX (1.2 A) in black, starter-set AC adapter, quick-start guide, plan-variation guide
Minimum curve radius of the train: R315

KATO product page (JP)

KATO 10-002 · N Gauge Starter Set E5 Series Shinkansen "Hayabusa"

Cars: 3 cars.
Other contents: Unitrack oval equivalent to the M1 set, Power Pack Standard SX (1.2 A) in black, starter-set AC adapter, plan-variation guide
Minimum curve radius of the train: R315

KATO product page (JP)

KATO's set-composition diagram for 10-001 lists the track as an M1-equivalent oval: four 248 mm straights, one 124 mm and one 62 mm straight, eight R315-45° curves, a 62 mm feeder track, a 124 mm rerailer track and a rerailer. The oval measures 1337 x 677 mm, so plan for a table at least that size.

Both starter boxes have a pocket for storing add-on set cases and extra track later. KATO gives the 10-001 box size as the same as its M1 track set box (390 x 355 x 110 mm).

A simple order to buy in

Pick the maker and edition first. KATO and TOMIX sets of the same train are not interchangeable halves, and some trains (like KATO's E5) exist in two editions with different numbers.
Start with the basic set or the starter set, not both. They contain the same cars.
Add the add-on sets that hold your missing cars. Use the Formation Builder to see which numbers fill the gaps.
Check the schedule. Add-on sets are often produced in the same run as the basic set. KATO's current N700S run, for example, ships all three sets on the same date (see Releases).

Optional extras named by the maker

KATO lists LED interior lights as matching options on these pages: 11-213 and 11-214 (warm white) for the N700S, and 11-211 / 11-212 (clear) or 11-213 / 11-214 (warm white) for the E5. The sets are labelled "DCC Friendly"; decoder details are on KATO's pages.

Common questions

Is a KATO starter set the same train as the basic set?

For the two starter sets in our database, yes. KATO states that the cars in 10-001 are the same as basic set 10-1697S, and the cars in 10-002 are the same as basic set 10-1969. Buying both gives you duplicate cars.

Which set has the motor?

It depends on the maker. In KATO's N700S and E5 sets the only powered car is in the basic set. In TOMIX's N700S there are two powered cars, one in the basic set (98424) and one in add-on set B (98426).

Can I use the included power pack outside Japan?

Not confirmed. The KATO pages we checked name the power pack (Power Pack Standard SX, 1.2 A) and a starter-set AC adapter, but do not state the adapter's input voltage range. Check the adapter rating or ask the retailer before plugging it in.

This guide compares official set contents only. We have not operated these sets, and nothing here describes running quality or sound.