Akita Chuō Kōtsu

[Densha]

After Tomytec announcing the Akita Chuō Kōtsu DeWa 3000 loco + SuHaFu 20 coach set I did some research on google.
 

 
The 3.8km 1067mm Akita Chuō Kōtsu Line ran between Hachirōgata Station on the Ōu Main Line and Gojōme Station just a bit to the east. The line had four stations in total: Hachirōgata, Kawasaki, Kōkōmae and Gojōme. I don't know much about the history before electrification (and my knowledge of the Japanese language is too limited to figure out more), but the line was apparently electrified with 600V DC in 1950. The electric boxcab DeWa 3000 (so far I understand 3001-3003) locos were second hands from Meguro-Kamata Dentetsu/Tōkyō-Yokohama Dentetsu, now Tōkyu. There was also the EB110 series and I tend to lean towards the idea that they had only one of these machines: the EB111. The NaHaFu 10 and SuHaFu 20 passenger coaches were converted from JGR/JNR KiHa 41000 DMUs that had their diesel engines taken out. The freight rolling stock mainly appears to have consisted of ex-JGR/JNR freight cars: ex-Wa 1 (numbered Wa 100-200), ex-WaMu 90000 (numbered WaMu 900), ex-ToRa 30000 (numbered ToRa 300) and ex-TsuMu 1000 (numbering unknown). The single railway line Akita Chuō Kōtsu operated was entirely abolished during the summer of 1969.
 
Now for a list of URLs with photos:
http://6.fan-site.net/~haasan55/Akitachuou.htm
http://teramatiisejosai.travel.coocan.jp/akita.html
http://ameblo.jp/yywassy3/entry-11516202377.html
http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/hideki_kobayakawa/36785655.html
http://satoyama.in/auto/sharyo/auto383.html
http://satoyama.in/auto/sharyo/auto384.html
http://rail.hobidas.com/photo/archives/2005/10/eb111.html
http://www2.plala.or.jp/railphoto/gojomoku.htm
http://umemado.blogspot.com/search/label/%E7%A7%8B%E7%94%B0%E4%B8%AD%E5%A4%AE%E4%BA%A4%E9%80%9A%E8%BB%8C%E9%81%93%E7%B7%9A
 
For more pics google "秋田中央交通" or "秋田中央交通線".
 
And now for another detective story... The Tomytec sets will be released in two different colour schemes. I'm still trying to figure out when the 'new' blue-red colour scheme was adapted but that is very difficult to find out with monochrome photos and the old and new liveries only differing in colour. Hopefully someone else can figure out this mystery for me.

Edited August 2, 2015 by Densha
Fixed image and added info

[velotrain]

Since the DeWa 3000 appears to run on the recently discussed Brill 21E truck, I ordered an extra Tomytec power unit for other projects.  I can substitute it for the World Kougei chassis if the Tomytec runs better (which somehow seems likely  ;-), or combine it with the Aru etched Brill 21E sideframes for who knows what.

 

An interesting project might be replacing the plastic sides with real wood, but that would require a set of decals - anyone know if they're available?

 

Thanks for starting the thread, Densha.

[kvp]

The trick to separate the black and white pictures is the box motor. It was solid color first. So any pictures where it doesn't have two shades is the old color, while any picture where two different gray shades is visible, it's the new color era. Considering how short was the operational timeframe of the whole railroad with electrification it might be the only repaint they had. I'm rather sure the old color was in use in 1963.

 

ps: I know it's not fully accurate, but getting two sets, combining the cars into a full train and repainting one of the box motors for a different road might be a good idea. (i'm thinking about the classic brown paint)

Edited July 10, 2015 by kvp

[velotrain]

I felt compelled to post this photo I found of an absolutely gorgeous model, which I'm guessing is O scale due to the amazing level of detail.

 

BTW - I just noticed that both Tomytec sets are very popular at H.S., so you might want to get your reservation(s) - for those taking kvp's suggestion - in soon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Related to kvp's suggestion, here is an image (link from him) of a preserved (but exposed to the elements) Hakone Tozan wood tram similar to the Akita Chuō Kōtsu version used for the Tomytec model. He suggested painting the second engine brown - if you do order two of the sets. Extra points if you model the peeling paint on the boards ;-)

 

 

 

[velotrain]

Considering how short was the operational timeframe of the whole railroad with electrification it might be the only repaint they had. I'm rather sure the old color was in use in 1963.

 

Apparently there was one other repaint, with the bottom a dark blue.  I can't tell if the top is a lighter red, or just the old red very faded.  From the looks of things, this was the final coloring - and could have been done after the equipment was out of service.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What I don't understand is Tomytec releasing the set in these colors, when there seems to be no evidence that the prototype ever used them.

 

 

 

 

 

My thanks to Densha for originally introducing this topic.  He notes that the passenger cars were originally DMU's, and I'm planning to convert one of mine into an EMU.

[kvp]

The solid blue color was in use at the start of the service (visible mostly on grayscale photos). This also make the freight motors usable on city tram layouts (they were 2nd hand) and the dmu's runnable as standalone units (with a minimal headlight installation).

[Kabutoni]

(...) the dmu's runnable as standalone units (with a minimal headlight installation).

And underbodywork, like engines and so on to make these actual DMU.

[kvp]

And underbodywork, like engines and so on to make these actual DMU.

There are some decorations on the cars and the Tomytec motor usually fills the rest of the space between them with the real motor. (it's not pretty but practical) They were kiha 41000 dmu-s before the conversion:

http://homepage3.nifty.com/EF57/r.museum/kiha41.htm

[velotrain]

_{kvp - since you have so much knowledge (or good research skills), would you know if the "preserved" coach and steeplecab were repainted in earlier colors when taken out of service?  I take it the dark blue on the engines was a transition scheme between the original brown and the red + turquoise.  I see that the passenger car in the museum has yet another scheme.}

[kvp]

It's actually just a bit of google skill... 

 

Imho the dark blue on the car and loco that was preserved is just weathering. The red faded out, the blue darkened. (it could also be a not too accurate repaint attempt) Afaik the old photos show the single color freight motors and the red/blue paint only (both produced by Tomytec) and since the line operated for a relatively short time with the overhead, i don't think they repainted the trains more than a single time.

 

The dark brown paint was one of the original ones and i've found the creme/blue and a reddish orange/creme/reddish orange color too.

(with a different headlight position and imho this looks like a later, JNR paint)

These cars were motorised, and i don't know if the first Akita color was ever used on powered cars or if it's fully accurate.

[kvp]

One more picture: (i can't find one with the matching passenger car though)

[velotrain]

Good find!  Not to worry - the passenger car wasn't really matching, more like "not conflicting" ;-)

[velotrain]

(with a different headlight position . . . )

 

Speaking of headlights, does anyone know of a Japanese (or elsewhere) company producing headlights at all similar to the one shown?

 

I realize that one like this is very difficult to make working, but I'd be satisfied with cosmetic.

[kvp]

Imho some of the ARU9 cast metal parts could be usable.

[cteno4]

yes nariichi san stocks a couple of these white metal cast headlights close

 

http://www.modeltrainplus.net/collections/aru-nine-arumo-n-scale

 

jeff

[Densha]

Just digging up an old topic. I just discovered that Akita Chuo Kotsu actually had another type of electric loco in service. Originally used by JNR on the Usui Pass and then as a shunter by Nankai Railway, the ED404 ended up at Akita Chuo Kotsu in 1949. The locomotive was completely remodelled and renumbered into ED401. When Akita Chuo Kotsu got their hands on some ex-Tokyu DeWa 3000's, the ED401 was retired already in 1952.

 

 

Sources:

https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%9B%BD%E9%89%84ED40%E5%BD%A2%E9%9B%BB%E6%B0%97%E6%A9%9F%E9%96%A2%E8%BB%8A#.E5.8D.97.E6.B5.B7.E9.9B.BB.E6.B0.97.E9.89.84.E9.81.93.E3.83.BB.E7.A7.8B.E7.94.B0.E4.B8.AD.E5.A4.AE.E4.BA.A4.E9.80.9A

https://twitter.com/JRE203kei/status/381432737782984704/

[Nick_Burman]

Just digging up an old topic. I just discovered that Akita Chuo Kotsu actually had another type of electric loco in service. Originally used by JNR on the Usui Pass and then as a shunter by Nankai Railway, the ED404 ended up at Akita Chuo Kotsu in 1949. The locomotive was completely remodelled and renumbered into ED401. When Akita Chuo Kotsu got their hands on some ex-Tokyu DeWa 3000's, the ED401 was retired already in 1952.

 

Akita-Chuo-Kotsu_ED-401.jpg

 

Sources:

https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%9B%BD%E9%89%84ED40%E5%BD%A2%E9%9B%BB%E6%B0%97%E6%A9%9F%E9%96%A2%E8%BB%8A#.E5.8D.97.E6.B5.B7.E9.9B.BB.E6.B0.97.E9.89.84.E9.81.93.E3.83.BB.E7.A7.8B.E7.94.B0.E4.B8.AD.E5.A4.AE.E4.BA.A4.E9.80.9A

https://twitter.com/JRE203kei/status/381432737782984704/

 

Was this one of the original German-built machines or was it from the later, Omiya-built, engines?

 

Cheers NB

[Densha]

Hmm... the Japanese Wikipedia page on the ED40 doesn't mention about anything German, but the article does say that the ED40 were built from 1919 to 1923 in Omiya to support the existing fleet of EC40. The EC40 seems to be built in 1911 by AEG in Germany.

 

So in short, the ED40 that ended up at Akita Chuo Kotsu should be Omiya-built, because the whole ED40 series seems to have been built in Omiya.

 

This page also has a lot of information and diagrams on both locos: http://ktymtskz.my.coocan.jp/yuge/hidaka5.htm