The Hiroshima Electric Railway Type 200, an old-fashioned 1928 tram car donated by the city of Hanover, Germany, which has a sister city relationship with Hiroshima City, for the purpose of friendship and goodwill.
Built in 1928, the vehicle was badly damaged during World War II, and the parts were used to manufacture this train in 1950 by DUEWAG in West Germany. These vehicles in this form are known as aufbauwagen in Germany. A vehicle with a standard body of a war damaged recovery vehicle.
The tram has a small body with a semi-steel two-axle underframe. With a large pantograph on it, double sliding doors and fixed large windows for guests, the tram is known as the “Hanover train” by Hiroshima citizens and railroad fans.
Image source: Wikipedia (Photo by Amiden)
In 1988, the city of Hiroshima donated a tea house to the city of Hannover to commeorate the fifth anniversary of the sister city relationship. Hannover Urban Transportation Business, donated to Hiroshima City, the tram, which became part of the Hiroshima Electric Railway.
No changes were made but to make the wooden bench seats flame-retardent, installing one-man operation equipment and removing the coupler and installing an obstacle escaper and airbrake.
The message from Strassenbahn Hanover wishing the city thanks has been kept to this day.
While mostly used during Christmas (as it becomes a Christmas train decorated with lights), the #238 tram is kept in the Eba Garage.
Japan model train manufacturer KATO released the “Kato 14-071-1 Hiroshima Electric Railway Type 200 (Hannover) N Gauge” as part of the company’s pocketline (mostly inexpensive trams) with a power unit using a small coreless motor.
KATO’s pocket line series was no doubt made for those who wanted to have a train to ride in small spaces and also a train where one doesn’t have to spend too much.
While this tram was released back in May 6, 2020, the last two years showed there is a major demand for these pocket line series and the cost to acquire them have more than doubled.
They are no doubt big for train collector’s who are interested in trams.
And for me, my favorite trams are the Tokyu-Setagaya and the Hiroshima trams. And Hiroshima Electric Railways makes wonderful trams and had to get both the Greenmower Lex and the Hannover.
The pricing for the Hannover is Y3,432 which is about $25. But as mentioned, anything tram related are worth owning, but because of their popularity, are very hard to obtain at reasonable prices.
Unlike a few Pocket Line series which came with one, this tram only came with the Hannover which replicates the real version (just one car which is motorized via coreless motor). It comes with stickers from “Yokogawa-Eba” “Shirashima-Hacchobori” “(White plain)” “Forward” “MERRY CHRISTMAS (Christmas train)” “Charter” ・ Route number: “8” “9” “(For Christmas train) and more.
But the Hannover Train is beautifully made, the Hannover writing on the side is catchy, the colors are catchy, the pantograph looks awesome and it rides quite well with the light acceleration and deceleration unique to the streetcar in the city.
While considered a “Pocket Line” vehicle, this tram comes in a KATO jewel case like major releases instead of the cardboard box. If there is one thing I am critical of the “Pocket Line” series is the original cardboard packaging. I’m just glad that this tram received the jewel case!
But with that being said, the train is cheaper compared to the Hiroshima Greenmower LEX which is pricier but along with being pricier, it has front and rear lighting and a slots to take in KATO LED lighting.
The Hannover doesn’t take KATO LED lighting (but neither do the other “Pocket Line” releases).
Again, these trams are made to be inexpensive, simple and great for those who want a trainset but don’t want to spend too much money or don’t have a large room. Again, the only caveat is they are so darn expensive since they are no longer produced.
Overall, the KATO 14-071-1 Hiroshima Electric Railway Type 200 (Hannover Train) N Gauge is recommended! But if you can get it below the Y5000 or $45 US pricepoint (forget about getting it for the original price, as the price has skyrocketed for it), then it’s definitely worth owning! Especially if you want to incorporate a tram to your diorama setup.
