website updated January 9th 2012

(Please click the refresher button on your web browser to access the latest updates)

For information on all currently available Aster locomotive models click a title on the task bar to the left of this page.

Prices change due to foreign currency exchange rates fluctuations. Please call us for a quotation on any listed product. 

Beginning of 2012 Sadaplast Inc. & Aster Hobby USA LLC will be moving

from Spartanburg SC

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to Campobello SC

Our telephone number 864 587 7999 and  e-mail  service@asterhobbyusa.com          will remain unchanged. New location address will be announced after move has been completed.

New British engine announcement

A re-run of the Duchess Class will be released in spring 2012

 "Duchess of Atholl" in blue BR livery

Expected retail kit price US$ 5820.00 FOB Spartanburg SC. Reservation deposit of $500.00 required.

More detail will be posted as it becomes available. Picture of pilot model subject to minor changes

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The Great Northern Railway S2 class # 2584

 Available from our inventory.

Don't miss out on this superb engine.

 Click the Great Northern page for more pictures and information.

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Great Western Railways "Castle Class" 

kits are available from stock.

click GWR "Castle" page for details on this locomotive.

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go to Spam Can page for details.

The US$ / Japanese Yen exchange rate.

Have you been wondering what drives prices for imported product ? The US Dollar value has lost strength against the Japanese Yen almost continuously since 2005. In spite of this dilemma, Aster Hobby Co. Inc. and its Distributors are constantly searching for ways to avoid price increases and keep new projects on a  realistic cost level. Unfortunately, price adjustments to compensate for value loss of the dollar can sometimes not be avoided. For almost 40 years Aster Hobby has been offering the finest Gauge One live steam locomotives your money can buy. Check out the latest models announced on this website. We thank you for your patronage and continued support.

Aster Hobby USA LLC was established in January, 2002 as exclusive US Importer & Distributor for live steam locomotive models and accessories  manufactured by Aster Hobby Co. Inc. of Yokohama, Japan. Our mission is to promote and sponsor the development of new US prototype locomotives, marketing and sales of the entire Aster live steam spectrum as well as providing the best possible spare parts service. Since 1975, the name Aster has been known by Gauge One live steam locomotive enthusiasts and collectors alike. From the introduction of Great Britain's "Schools Class"  to today's Great Northern Railway S2, the improvement in quality and complexity of Aster locomotives has never stopped, and new challenging designs are continuing to inspire our imagination of the great steam locomotive era.

Aster live steam locomotives are available factory assembled and ready to be operated, or as fully machined ready to be assembled kits. Depending on the  type of locomotive chosen, the complexity and number of individual components can vary from one hundred up to one thousand five hundred.  Kit assembly time can vary from twenty hours to three hundred hours or more, depending on the type of the locomotive and your level of skill. If you want to discover how a steam locomotive works and you have the patience and curiosity, an Aster kit might be your best choice. However, if you want instant gratification, a factory built version is available for you.

This website features only the most recent products available and provides updates on new locomotives in the design /construction phase. Aster Hobby USA LLC also distributes trough a national network of authorized Aster dealers. For retail prices and availability of older and new locomotives and accessories, call us during business hours, inquire by e-mail or visit one of the many authorized Aster dealers listed in the dealer page of this site. Whether you are operating or collecting 1/32 scale locomotive models, we hope you will join the exclusive ranks of Aster gauge one live steam.