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Don't they all come fitted with the standard Arnold 'Rapido' type by default? Yes, the means by which the couplings are attached differ but this is not a problem unless changing to another coupling type such as Kato knuckles or Micro Ace miniature Shibatas or the like. If you have personally standardised on a coupling other than the default Arnold then I recognise that there is an obstacle there for you and apologise for being a nob.

It's not that, I was worried about how compatible are the models in terms of coupling since I like to operate different models in one train and if I need to switch out the couplings, which is going to be a big project all in itself the other company models look very great and thumbs up to Tomix and the others.

How's everything coming together?

I don't have an iPhone,, but on Android, it's pretty useful time to time.

Now that's a room with a view! I had stayed at the JR Hotel in Hokodate and it turned out to be pretty nice. I would definitely consider JR Hotels for future trips. And I guess they also have some trained themed items - the one in Hakodate did not have a train layout but had various train memorabilia in the lobby and in the viewing lounge on the top floor. Tony

Don't forget B-Train Shorties also includes some anime trains and are trivially easy to assemble, and there have also been some proper kits, especially of the Keihan Otsu wrapping trains, which include large sheets of transfers for the artwork (may be difficult to apply accurately to the body shell due to their size).

Wakaba Station on to Tobu-Tojo Line. Not sure if I should rotate this one a bit more. It's level but somehow still looks a little bit like it isn't, probably because the ground isn't level here and the mountains are in the background.

What a great view. Do the windows open?

Why RIP? Tomix, GM and MicroAce models are as good as Kato's. There is no reason to limit yourself to Kato. The MA Keikyu Sky Train x Summiko Gurashi is currently on sale at AmiAmi. Though not technically an "anime-themed" train, it's plenty cute and a beautiful train in itself, https://www.amiami.com/eng/detail/?gcode=RAIL-30978 Otherwise @bill937ca is right, you will need to use a proxy service to hunt for some specific anime-theme trains. But all painted trains are usually hard to find and can cost a pretty penny, like the MA Seibu 3000 series Galaxy Express. It's better to pre-order them.

If you’re a rail fan looking for a hotel to stay in Tokyo, consider the JR Hotel Metropolitan Marunouchi. The hotel sits above the Tokyo Station, convenient if arriving to /departing from NRT or Haneda, and if you ask for one of the Station View rooms, you’ll be able to watch the various Shinkansens (Tokaido, Joetsu, Hokuriku, Yamagata, Tohoku, Akita) and local trains (Yamanote, Chuo…) come and go… day and night. If you find this to be entertaining, you may never leave your room! Bonus: a neat n gage layout in the lobby. View from our 43rd floor room

You could be right - the cutaway part of the second piece fits the bill. A fair amount of rail here but no high speed of course.

Possibly a tie tamper for 1435mm gauge from the shinkansen, the orange logo would be JR Tokai. Several images here of that livery: https://mcdb.sub.jp/forums/topic/pt_09-475-2x_3421_jrc_mt-884/

So Imagine my surprise (mixed with a bit of delight) in waiting at a busy intersection this morning, only for a convoy of large flatbed trucks to go past carrying some oversize JR marked ... rolling stock? Grabbed my phone for some sneaky pics but dammit didn't get any focus 😞 - the orange logo is JR though... second hand stuff?

Wow I dont remember the last time Ive posted here lol, This is my latest haul from RG-Rokko. I completed two GreenMax JR103 cars from the RG-Rokko haul to make a set. 1-Kato 16 car N700s set 2- GreenMax JR103 Kits 6 Yokohoma 31ft containers. 1- Kato Japanese Railway Workers 4-TOMIX TN couplers 1- TOMIX Knuckle Couplers 1- Paper Enginehouse 2- Kato light decoders 1- Kato Motor decoder 2- TOMIX KUMU 80000

Rilakkuma character trains. https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10246583 https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10247213

Tomytec has released a fair number which are more like minor railway interurbans than main line trains. K On! https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10297984 https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10316321 Sound! Euphonium https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/11068615 https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10956492 https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10573809 https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10421200 `Tetsudou Musume` Railway Daughter Some are trams. https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10364782 https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10233528 https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10233527 https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10501591 These generally are all sold out. Setting up an account with a proxy agent will provide access to the Japanese domestic market.

These require licensing from the producer and are not all that common. Kato 10-922 Series 205-3100 Senseki Line `Mangattan Liner II` (4-Car Set) (Model Train) but it's a Manga train. https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10110217 Limited Edition] Lupin The Third Wrapping Train - J.R. Type KiHa54-500 Updated Car (Hanasaki Line) One Car (w/Motor) (w/Headlight(One Side) [Lupine the Third generation] anime. Green Max Kiha 54 base. https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10586074

Having said that I have several KATO E231 in "anime" livery -- one Sumikko Gurachi and one Rila Kuma. Also have a MicroAce Rapi:t Sumikko Gurachi train. Also have a KATO Girls and Panzer train as well. I do see more on the Tomix side, especially Tomytech.

Gotcha, thanks Well rip

I just found out today that Lionel Trains will be at New York Comic Con, which was something new to me, and this is their second time at the Comic Con since then did this in 2023. For anyone who isn't American, Lionel Trains has been the most recognizable model railroad company for decades. It has been a popular product of the O Gauge world, though, I don't know if O Gauge is popular in Japan. This is nice really, and it's also nice that Lionel is doing something like this to bring the hobby to new people. I could see KATO doing at big anime conventions in America.

Tomix and Greenmax do most of the Anime theme stuff. Kato and MicroAce rarely go there.

Odd but short question, since I like anime and plan to operate my layout at my local convention, did KATO make some anime theme passenger cars? I know they did the EVA Shinkansen a while back, and I was wondering if they made any other anime theme products since it would be good for operating my layout at the convention. Thanks for reading. -Dillon Trinh, The Little Nevada

I came across this webpage showing how to disassemble the recent, greatly improved Kato 11-109 and 11-110 2-axle power chassis, plus how to add DCC and a "Keep Alive" to them. Seems like it should work for the sister 11-108 chassis, too, and maybe the similar new "My Tram" chassis. https://tramfabriek.co.uk/kato-take-a-part.html Rich K.

The Kato power unit in the Hiroden Greenmove Lex / "My Tram" model is far different from the one in their Portram model: Rich K.

Here you go... 35 pines done 😉