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Just pre-ordered a UK Class 483 in N scale (I'm a sucker for UK EMU/DMU's) from Revolution Trains, it looks quite promising. I also ordered some FR11 decoders and lighting kits for my Class 800, I hope these are easier to install than the FL12 decoders, as that was a pain in the a**.

Hello All, Myself and a few other modellers are moving along with developing "Pocket Sized Modules" that are fully compatible with the Kato Mini Diorama modules, but allow for more `real estate'. Attached are some photos plus a PDF copy of a very incomplete draft of the module guidelines. They provide enough information to build modules but do not yet cover electrics and other details and considerations. ant feedback is most welcome. Also see on Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/85896932@N07/albums/72177720309074008/with/53341606810 Cheers, Andrew of Auz. Pocket Sized Modules - Draft Guidelines - 2024-04-09 .pdf

FWIW the purpose of the wings was to prevent the partially blind from falling into the gap between the train sets. Still able to see shadows and light, these individuals mistook the gap as an open door, and thus fell through or at least collided with the end. As a stopgap before fitting all trains with these wings, JR West left the headlights turned on driving trailers coupled face to face to warn these individuals. As for the inebriated (not just salarymen, as women and college students etc. also drink), JR West rotated platform benches to face away from the platform edge- i.e. now along the length of the platform, so the staggering occurs safely away from any arriving train and any possible collision or fall on the tracks.

It looks like domestic Japan only. Not even on eBay at a crazy price.

Question - has anyone bought the Tomix 8018 layout? if so, where? I can't find a source that will ship to the United States thanks in advance.

And they wonder where rumors start. 😁 😁

Phew! jeff

Whoops, whew. Went in today to pick up some Evergreen plastic, and chatting with folks discovered the sign on the door read much more ominously than it was intended. The retail store is only closed *this Friday* while they're travelling to a show, not a permanent closing.

I put the smal/short version on one end in case I want to couple them up to a other unit.

What "scale" are they? Those are pretty cool

Today the KATO/Woodland Scenics Just Play vehicle arrived from Hobby Search.

Lovely little walk! Always love the little details these walks bring out. thanks, jeff

I finally attached them regardless of purpose. Thank heavens for a nice magnifying lamp.

Short on Japanese-style signals? No problem, you can use US-style searchlights! (that is, provided that your route is a small rural line set no later than the 1980s!) http://senrohaisenzu.cocolog-nifty.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/08/24/19800316kabuto03.jpg (Kabuto station on the Kansai Main Line) http://senrohaisenzu.cocolog-nifty.com/blog/2008/04/1980316_a069.html http://senrohaisenzu.cocolog-nifty.com/blog/2020/03/post-aa5f9d.html Apparently a few stations in Hokkaido were also fitted with searchlights as well... Checking some sources, seems that the first searchlight-type signals were installed in 1936 on the Ou Main Line, and the last ones were removed from Kamitokoro station on the now-closed Hokkaido Chikoku Kogen Railway in November 1995.

My Tram is now available from Kato USA and US dealers. One caveat: *This is a Japanese Specialty Item. Any repair requests will be fulfilled by KATO Japan.* https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=955469056579911&set=a.640282668098553

If i recall correctly they were introduced specifically after a string of incidents late at night where drunk salarymen would trip and fall neatly between two coupled sets...

Disappointed that I missed it - I had been thinking of going up there but ended up going to Paris instead. (Flight to CDG or drive up I-95 and decided the flight would be easier!) Glad you had a good show and still hoping to attend one of these days. Ciao, Tony

Green wing and 221s have then also.

Yeah I think I first saw them on the Red Wing but last time we were in Osaka most of the 225/223 multi set pairings had them and the singles often did too IIRC -- proabbly to facilitate pairing. They were new from when we had been there before.

Walking around Machida. I really need to get a better mic, but it's hard to find solid info on what type will work best for this.

EH200-24 is the newest addition to my roster.

Scratch built the second bridge for this layout. Styrene (my favorite material) was used for the bridge and the supports were made from XPS foam. I'm learning a lot more techniques with weathering and when to use powder vs. washes. I compared the bridge I made last year with the same base color and I much prefer how the weathering turned out this time, with weathering powders of black and rust. It also helped that I used an airbrush vs. hand brushing. With the supports, I painted a solid color then applied two colors of washes. Lastly, I dry brushed with Silver Grey to act as highlights. I still have two pieces to scratch build, a shed and turntable (inoperable, just for decor).

Oh wow thats pretty cool thanks for posting this.

I obtained a set of Micro-Train 1015-1 couplers (diagram below). A little bit of surgery would be required due to the (low) height of the Kato floor . . . they seem to be meant for a floor height of .279" / .293" we will see how the 2004-1s fare once they are delivered. Their shanks are below the coupler's horizontal center-line. Far enough to avoid cutting any underframes? We will see.

Going into service on tourist runs from Phnom Penh to the Thai border if anyone is looking for a fun scenic layout: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/ataglance/3094/