Purchase plans - advice appreciated

[NGT6 1315]

Morning,

 

these days I've been thinking about which types of rolling stock I might add to my Japanese inventory in the future. As I stated in another thread, I currently have a JR East class 253 and a five-car class Joban line E531 EMU in my stable - the latter of which will soon be augmented by the 10-car setup. I also have a class EF66 engine, although I was told these do not usually operate in the same area where the 253 and E531 can be found. But, well, I just like this engine!

 

Looking at a JR network map of Tokyo, it would seem to me that other lines in the same general area are the Keihin-Tohoku line, Shonan-Shinjuku line, Yamanote line and possibly the Musashino line. Far as I can see, another option would be the Tohoku, Yamagata and Akita Shinkansen, the latter being served by E3 and E4 sets (including mixed lashups) as well as the 400 series.

 

As for the commuter lines I just listed, the only matching models I am currently aware of would be the Kato E233 in Keihin-Tohoku colours as well as the E231 in Shonan-Shinjuku and Yamanote colours.

 

Now, what I would like to know is whether there are any additional types of passenger and indeed freight stock which would be suitable for a layout centred on the northeastern quarter of Tokyo. This does not have to be limited to the commuter stuff and may also include private railways of which I only have an even more incomplete overview at this time.

 

Thank you for any ideas you may be able to give me !

[disturbman]

Northeeastern Tokyo? Then you will have the opportunity to add some private company like Keisei that runs into Ueno station, Tobu that runs at Asakusa station.

[CaptOblivious]

Yay! That's the same area I model!

 

I just got a Keisei Skyliner, which is a fine model.

 

JR Freight (and only JRF) does operate EF66s in this part of Tokyo—I don't have any links handy, but I've run across some (surprising to me) images of JRF liveried EF66s at the Kuroiso Dead Zone on the Tohoku Line, north of Tokyo.

 

Don't forget the 200-series and E1 and E2 shinkansen, all run out of Ueno Station with the E3, E4 and 400-series.

 

The Joban Line has a lot of really interesting rolling stock. Micro Ace just announce they are re-releasing the E653-series "Fresh Hitachi" in Dec. which you should pick up.

[NGT6 1315]

Yay! That's the same area I model!

 

Great to hear . I hope I can turn to you for further advice, if required?

 

 

JR Freight (and only JRF) does operate EF66s in this part of Tokyo—I don't have any links handy, but I've run across some (surprising to me) images of JRF liveried EF66s at the Kuroiso Dead Zone on the Tohoku Line, north of Tokyo.

 

That's just as good to hear. Do you know of any other locomotives which can be found in this area?

 

 

Don't forget the 200-series and E1 and E2 shinkansen, all run out of Ueno Station with the E3, E4 and 400-series.

 

I was also thinking about a 200 series bullet, but to my knowledge there are no models of this one available at this time, no?

 

The Joban Line has a lot of really interesting rolling stock. Micro Ace just announce they are re-releasing the E653-series "Fresh Hitachi" in Dec. which you should pick up.

 

Funny, I was looking at the announcement for this type late last evening, but had no idea they actually run in the same area I've been concentrating on. I did immediately like the looks of the 653, though, and might have put this one on my list even without knowing where exactly they can be found!

[CaptOblivious]

I'm still learning, too.

 

Here's a few things about Freight in this area.

 

Here is a good general overview of the current state of freight trains in Japan (the entire site this is hosted on is an awesome resource, BTW):

http://www.jrtr.net/jrtr26/pdf/f08_iwa.pdf

 

My area is perhaps a little more restricted than yours: I'm modeling basically Akihabara north to Nippori, with an eye to maybe expanding out to Oomiya later. Technically, no freight runs in this area, not really. So my KOKI collection is perhaps an excercise in wishful thinking and thumb twiddling :D

 

There is a container yard just off the Joban Line a bit north of Ueno, though:

http://maps.google.com/maps/mm?hl=en&geocode=&view=map&ie=UTF8&t=k&ll=35.726099,139.791584&spn=0.03693,0.063772&z=14

Ueno is at lower left, yard at upper right.

 

I can't find many details about the yard, it is called "Sumidagawa Yard", because it is adjacent to the Sumida River (Sumidagawa). Here is a Wikimapia link:

http://wikimapia.org/6632930/JR-Freight-Sumidagawa-Station

 

Here's an article that shows how Sumidagawa fits into the overall Freight picture in Japan:

http://www.jrtr.net/jrtr05/pdf/f07_mas.pdf

 

Somewhere on this board, I can't find it but maybe you can, someone posted a link to an article showing a schematic of freight traffic through Tokyo specifically, that was fascinating.…

 

As for locomotives you might see: JRF uses: EF64, EH200 on Chuo Line,  EF64-1000 on the Jōetsu Line, EF66, EF66-100, EF65-1000, EF81, EH500 on Takasaki/Utsunomiya/Tohoku Line, EF510 on Joban Line. Lots to choose from!

[NGT6 1315]

I just got a Keisei Skyliner, which is a fine model.

 

 

Just had a look at this set, too. Not sure if I like the design of it, though. Wasn't the Tobu line also located in the northeastern quadrant of Tokyo? I've seen the Tomix SPACIA set and, although I was initially kind of ambiguous towards its looks I have now come to quite like it.

 

But then I also had a look at the E351, and although I realize this one runs in a different direction entirely...well, I can't help but like it, too .

 

You know the feeling of looking at the price tags of all those Japanese models? In my opinion they're actually not all that expensive - compared to European stock, for example. But then again, money remains a finite quantity, so even reasonably priced models can add up to a rather painful amount...

[disturbman]

Wasn't the Tobu line also located in the northeastern quadrant of Tokyo?

 

It is. The Tobu is at Asakusa and then the line crosses the Sumide Gawa into Sumida-ku where it passes the futur Tokyo Tree (~600m high).

 

They have nice train. And I really think the 200 series is a killer. Even the 1720, also known as the uggliest train of Japan, has a nice look. 

 

http://www.1999.co.jp/search_e.asp?Typ1_c=104&scope=1&scope2=0&urikire=1&itkey=tobu

[Guest ___]

ooh, ooh, add an Aizuliner.

[bill937ca]

I'm still learning, too.

 

Here's a few things about Freight in this area.

 

Here is a good general overview of the current state of freight trains in Japan (the entire site this is hosted on is an awesome resource, BTW):

http://www.jrtr.net/jrtr26/pdf/f08_iwa.pdf

 

My area is perhaps a little more restricted than yours: I'm modeling basically Akihabara north to Nippori, with an eye to maybe expanding out to Oomiya later. Technically, no freight runs in this area, not really. So my KOKI collection is perhaps an excercise in wishful thinking and thumb twiddling :D

 

There is a container yard just off the Joban Line a bit north of Ueno, though:

http://maps.google.com/maps/mm?hl=en&geocode=&view=map&ie=UTF8&t=k&ll=35.726099,139.791584&spn=0.03693,0.063772&z=14

Ueno is at lower left, yard at upper right.

 

I can't find many details about the yard, it is called "Sumidagawa Yard", because it is adjacent to the Sumida River (Sumidagawa). Here is a Wikimapia link:

http://wikimapia.org/6632930/JR-Freight-Sumidagawa-Station

 

Here's an article that shows how Sumidagawa fits into the overall Freight picture in Japan:

http://www.jrtr.net/jrtr05/pdf/f07_mas.pdf

 

Somewhere on this board, I can't find it but maybe you can, someone posted a link to an article showing a schematic of freight traffic through Tokyo specifically, that was fascinating.…

 

As for locomotives you might see: JRF uses: EF64, EH200 on Chuo Line,  EF64-1000 on the Jōetsu Line, EF66, EF66-100, EF65-1000, EF81, EH500 on Takasaki/Utsunomiya/Tohoku Line, EF510 on Joban Line. Lots to choose from!

 

 

Here's some Japanese language Wikipedia pages. These are different and usually much more detailed than English language Wikipedia pages on Japanese Railways.  You will have to translate them with a machine translator. Anything in blue is a link that will lead you to more goodies.  Anything in red hasn;t been written up.

 

Toyko Freight Terminal Station

 

http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E8%B2%A8%E7%89%A9%E3%82%BF%E3%83%BC%E3%83%9F%E3%83%8A%E3%83%AB%E9%A7%85

 

JRF Chiba Organization District

 

http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%8D%83%E8%91%89%E6%A9%9F%E9%96%A2%E5%8C%BA

 

Japan Freight Railway Company

 

http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E8%B2%A8%E7%89%A9%E9%89%84%E9%81%93

 

JR Group, which includes links to all JR companies

 

http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/JR

 

If you are not familiar with machine translators you can try Google Translate.

 

http://translate.google.com/translate_t#

[SubwayHypes]

the Joban line is really cool, they have lots of stock to choose from.  Im thinking about doing a Joban line layout with the 531, 231, 651 hitachi, and a subway line that runs parallel that will include the Chiyoda, Tozai, and Hibiya (im just gonna cram all my subway lines onto one line)

[EWS60008]

I have an EH500 locomotive in N gauge by Kato and it is a stunner! If you intend running freight on your Layout, I would definitely recommend buying one of these locomotives .