The complete listing of Chinese prototype models is below. For model reviews, please scroll below the table or click here
The complete listing of Chinese prototype models is below. For model reviews, please scroll below the table or click here
The complete listing of Chinese prototype models is below. For model reviews, please scroll below the table or click here
The complete listing of Chinese prototype models is below. For model reviews, please scroll below the table or click here
25K Series
1:87 Scale
Rating
9/10
25K Class Series (all types)
Kukepig
Prototype Information
The 25K series passenger cars date back to 1997 and were designed to meet the requirements for the major speed upgrade on major trunk lines in China of that year. (the 'K' abbreviated for 'Kuai', or 'fast').
Initially soft sleepers (RW25K), deluxe soft sleepers (RW19K), hard sleepers (YW25K), dining cars (CA25K), baggage cars (XL25K) and generator cars (KD25K) were produced with hard seat (YZ25K), soft seat (RZ25K) and mail cars (UZ25K) following a year later. The production life lasted a mere six years before giving way to the 25T series, making them quite scarce compared to other types.
There are two distinct types, northern and southern, with the former having a more powerful heating system to cope with the harsh winters in that part of the country. The 25K series were produced with six different bogie types. They were quite easy to spot with most wearing a distinctive blue, white and red livery. There was a handful of minor variations also, but in later years they have mostly been progressively painted in standard green and yellow, like all the other passenger car types in China from the mid 2010's.
General Information
Congratulations for making it through the massive table above and welcome to this rather large review covering all the Kukepig 25K cars. Kukepig is a fairly new company forming in 2022 continuing on from the demise of N27. Where N27 produced Diesel & electric locomotives, freight and passenger cars, Kukepig has solely focused on the latter. The 25K's were their first offering and, at the time of writing, also the latest with a second batch just released. As different types of cars were sold in various combinations, and to maintain my borderline sanity levels, I've found it a lot easier to combine the different types of cars into one review and hopefully it will make it easier for the reader to compare the different types on a single page.
A summary of the above table; there are seven types which were made covering all but one (the RZ soft seat cars) in the first production run. The second release has seen only hard and soft sleepers and hard seat carriages. I have not heard if the KD, XL, UZ or CA's are to be re-run at this stage, but given that most of these types have been sold out for some time I think it's safe to assume so. The first run was mostly sold as 4-pack sets with a handful of single cars. The second release has seen all models sold in twin car sets, however both cars come individually boxed, so I guess this was done simply to boost (or force) sales. In the table above, these sets are shown where the product numbers are the same.
Kukepig pride themselves on producing the finest passenger cars on the market, and for modern prototypes at least, I would have to concede that they have achieved this. There are a number of minor faults and inaccuracies and the prices are considerably higher than other offerings, however they are by far the most technologically advanced passenger cars available with many of the same types having fairly major unique differences. Details are generally better than excellent and lighting is of course standard. Some versions are the first passenger cars to come with DCC for individual light control (XL & KD cars) and sound/DCC (KD cars only).
My twelve car set is a Shanghai set with the generator, dining, baggage and mail cars from the first production run (0571-T-J A) and sleeper and seat cars from the second run (0571杭原A, 0571杭原B, 0571杭绿A & 0571杭绿B). Due to the huge number of models in the range and not being a Nigerian prince, I'm unable to review every single type produced, however there are some major differences between the same types models - for example a YZ hard seat car may be standard, modified for disabled passengers, with broadcasting equipment, etc.
Packaging
Each carriage arrives in a thick two piece cardboard box with foam inserts. The four car sets come with a thin cardboard sleeve. The model is wrapped in a soft plastic sheet. Inside the package is the instruction sheet, quality control label, car number and destination boards for most types (paper based) and optional couplers. Some models come with unique detail parts to add, such as drain pipes, gates, etc.
Details
The Kukepig cars have highly detailed injection molded plastic bodies. They are packed with detail parts and contain full interiors. There are four different types of air-conditioners, four different types of bogies and different window styles. All cars feature two tone uncoupling rods, etched metal steps, full undercarriage details, frosted windows where applicable, painted window surrounds, painted door handles, separate grab irons, metal plug handles, roof vents, equipment boxes and corridor guides. The air-conditioner units are plastic but all vents are etched metal pieces with visible fan detail underneath. For the cars fitted with sprung plate electrical connections (above the corridor), they even have the contactor detail painted on.
Most of the cars in my set are equipped with the CW2 type and are really a work of art. They are packed with separate details including individual springs, suspension arms and braking equipment including discs mounted on the axles, the axle boxes are individually numbered and certain versions have some painted detail.
The full sets have been offered in four different liveries. On top of this there are three additional special liveries for single KD generator cars. For me the biggest disappointment is between the first and second production runs and this seems to have caught the ire of a lot of Chinese collectors as well. The blue paint work is noticeably darker on the second run from the first. I was only able to secure the KD, UZ, XL, CA set from the first production and as I was unable to find the other two sets from the same bureau, decided to hold off purchasing any more until the second run was released. You can see the difference in the photo above showing the seven different cars (top three are from the second run). This doesn't make it any less prototypical as there are certainly differences between cars on the same train due to age, weathering etc, but I still would have liked to have had a complete unblemished set! Overall the paint work is overall very good, however some cars in certain areas have fuzzy edges, usually around doors. I've noticed a some factory defects in mine, for example a stray hair underneath the paint!
Details - YZ Hard Seat
The YZ cars are superb models. The interior has blue seats in a 2+3 configuration. The tables are white and the floor is green. Luggage racks are installed along the length of both sides of the car and curtains are fitted - most of them being invisible (tied up position) unless you look inside. This is a great feature as it hides the typical ugly glue stains from where the windows are fitted to the inside of the car body. The bathrooms are fitted with sinks and toilets, albeit behind frosted glass, and the conductors room also has some furniture within.
The windows on my samples have chrome surrounds, asides from the door windows which have black rubber surrounds. The door windows have decals applied to the glass and the door has a painted on rubber strip. The number boards have painted on chrome surrounds, but are left empty for the user to apply which ever number required on the supplied sheet of adhesive numbers (two designs and up to 21 numbers). My examples have three different pairs of destination boards - also on the same sheet. Door steps are separately applied etched metal (painted blue) and look stunning. Toilet drains are fitted to the under carriage.
Details - YW Hard Sleeper
The YW's are similar in details to the YZ, the main differences being a single air-conditioner unit, more roof vents and a completely different interior. As the type suggests, there are beds inside - 66 to be precise arranged within 11 open rooms. In each room, there is a small white table against the window, six beds painted light blue and white bulkheads which give a nice contrast and make everything a lot easier to see. Each group of six beds has a ladder for access to the upper berths. The floor is cream and there are luggage racks running along the corridor side of the car. Like the YZ, the YW's are fitted with curtains. I love the fold down seats in the corridor, also painted light blue. infact the only details I can think of missing would be the blankets, chrome heating equipment in each compartment, trash cans and a pile of discarded sunflower seed shells on each table! Bathrooms are fitted with detail, albeit behind frosted glass and I really like the partially visible window grate in the toilets. Like the YZ and RW cars, car numbers (21) and destination boards (three designs) are included for the user to fit.
Details - RW Soft Sleeper
Externally the RW's are similar in appearance to the YW's, but with fewer windows. The interior details are vastly different. Where the YW cars have an open plan layout for the beds, the soft sleepers have four beds in individual rooms (nine on my sample). The beds are blue and there is a white table in each and cream walls and a white floor. Looking into the corridor, the doors are painted light blue and have silver painted door handles. One of the nicest features in these cars are the internal handrail against the windows, perhaps the most surprising and sadly one that most won't even see is the red carpet in the corridor area - complete with designer pattern! There are no luggage racks installed, even in the corridor areas, as per prototype. The bathrooms and conductors room are fitted out also. Like the YZ and YW cars, car numbers (21) and destination boards (three designs) are included for the user to fit.
Details - CA Dining Car
The dining car is one of my favorites in the range. There is a large air-conditioner unit on one end of the roof and a series of exhaust ports above the kitchen on the other. The car has extra water drains underneath the kitchen area and a spare is included in the box should you lose one. The dining cars come with two destination board options and 21 car number cards for the user to fit.
Inside, there are 12 dark green tables with tan 2 + 2 seating in a club arrangement. The walls are cream and there are light blue curtains along the car. Each table, naturally, has a napkin dispenser and salt/pepper shakers. On the outside of the kitchen is a large shelf unit for drinks (typically alcoholic - and no, not included) and bar area. The kitchen is fully equipped with cooking equipment and looks incredible, but of course is partially hidden behind the partially frosted glass in front of it. (Railway staff are particularly sensitve to people looking into or photographing kitchen areas on the dining cars.. not sure if that's a good thing!). The bathroom area down the other end of the car has frosted glass but is also fitted with the correct equipment. These cars have side external doors at the kitchen end of the car and are typically not accessed by the public, hence have smaller metal footsteps than the larger types found on other car types.
Details - XL Baggage Car
The baggage cars can be found on most long distance services carting around excessively sized luggage for passengers or general cargo. Aside from the staff crew room, they are mostly devoid of windows making them easily recognisable. Instead they have a series of porthole windows along the upper body and a pair of large double doors for loading and unloading. There is another standard door at the crew room end of the car for access and of course doors on the ends for access to the rest of the train. All side body doors have separately applied metal handrails. There is a small air conditioner unit on one end of the roof above the crew rooms and evenly spaced air vents along the roof. Each end has a different type of corridor, the crew end - typically positioned at the far front or far end of the train has a simple rubber (plastic!) corridor as it was simply not used often where as the other end has the more intricate design found on most of the rest of the train.
The bulk of the interior is hidden and therefore not much attention has been given to it (simple dark red floor). The crew area is more much more interesting with a desk/chair, bathroom facilities, overhead lockers and tables. What I really love about these cars are the marker lights on the crew end of the car. These are fully functional with DCC (untested on DC) showing white in the direction of travel and red on the other side.
Details - UZ Mail Car
The UZ mail cars are now very rare on Chinese railways but once formed an important service of sorting and delivering mail enroute between cities the train passed through. The last time I saw one of these UZ mail cars was in 2013. They are similar in appearance to the XL baggage cars, but with the main windows in the center of the car, rather than one end. This particular baggage car was the reason I went for the Shanghai set as it is one of a few with the air-conditioner unit near the middle of the roof, rather than on the car end. The mail cars come with two destination board options and 21 car number boards for the user to fit and a metal gate to install on the car ends if you wish.
The mail storing areas are mostly devoid of details with only a dark red floor which can be seen with a bit of effort by peering into the small door windows. There is a reasonably good view of the mail sorting areas through the windows with chairs, desks, cabinets and a room with four light blue bunk beds for the crew. Bathroom facilities are there, but hidden with frosted glass and metal grates over the windows.
Details - KD Generator Car
The KD generator cars are found on nearly all modern long distance passenger trains in China, responsible for providing power for the electricity hungry air-conditioning units and all other electrical power for the trains, which can run up to 20 cars in length. They are significantly shorter than the other cars, but they have a ton of detail on them.
Along the roof there is a small air-conditioner unit above the crew area and three exhaust ports (there are three different types available, mine has the large circular exhausts) for the diesel generators inside. Down the other end is a large roof vent for heat dissipation. There are etched metal walk ways along roof. The car ends has both styles of corridor, like the XL baggage car. There is an incredible amount of lettering asides from these with electrical plugs, labels and steps. The door glass has prohibition entry and no smoking labels printed on the glass. The undercarriage has a unique placement of brake rigging due to the limited space thanks to the huge diesel fuel tanks and large equipment boxes.
The KD is the only other car asides from the baggage car to have working marker lights. These can be switched on or off with DCC (untested on DC) showing white in the direction of travel and red on the other side (and they are directional - working in one direction and off in the other).
The side windows have chrome surrounds and the three doors have black window surrounds. As one of the doors is over a bogie, the ladder is mounted to this rather than the car body. Doors have separately applied metal handrails. My example has large and small etched metal grates over the fans and side vents with the mounting bolts painted blue. Car number card holders have chrome surrounds and in the box there are 21 number options for this and two destination boards for the user to fit.
The car interior is particularly nice with three very highly detailed diesel generators visible through the windows. The control room is absolutely superb with all the computers, gauges, buttons, electrical cabinets, tables and chairs. The car has a blue floor and white interior walls.
Performance
The cars have chemically darkened metal wheels and all of my samples roll exceptionally well. The wheels pick up electricity to power the lights and (where applicable) DCC decoders. The electrical pick up system is nicely hidden away with only a tiny amount of copper visible where the bogies connect to the chassis.
Lighting & Sound
The carriages with a DC powered light system, i.e. CA, YZ, YW, RW & UZ are beautifully illuminated - not overly bright or too dim. The LED colors are a bluish white color giving a fluorescent look, perfect for the 25K. Each car has a sensor switch embedded half way along the roof. Simply touch the middle of the roof with your finger to turn on or off the lights as required. Each car also has a capacitor which stores enough power to keep the lights on for up to a second, helping to eliminate unwanted flickering as the cars pass over dirty track, switches etc.
The XL and KD cars have DCC fitted allowing the user to turn on the lights in individual rooms. The cars can be programmed like any locomotive via your DCC control system. For DC users, the lights will still operate however control for individual rooms is lost. The party piece for both these cars is that they have a pair of marker lights on each end shining white and red indications. These can be altered by simply changing the direction as you would a locomotive, or turned off completely via one of the function buttons.
The KD car is also fitted with sound, which makes sense considering there are three diesel generators inside! There are a number of sounds including alarms, start up, engine noise etc. The noise is not overpowering and very clear.
Couplers
All Kukepig cars come fitted with plastic knuckle couplers fitted. They couple very close to each other, between 1 and 2mms. This distance is maintained as the carriages navigate curves thanks to the pivoting spring mechanism. The cars come with two optional types of couplers if the user prefers those types. One is a single drawbar (with the appearance of knuckle couplers) which keep the cars semi-permanently together. The other is more of a clip type coupler, similar to the Fleischmann profi couplers I fit most of my passenger rolling stock with. Sadly these don't seem to be a good fit for newer release passenger cars from Kukepig or N27, but no matter the stock couplers are perfectly acceptable. The coupler boxes are NEM type. While the couplers of the 1st and 2nd releases line up perfectly, there is a slight difference in the height of the corridors (approximately 1.5mm) as shown below.
