Ashidachi Station on the Hakubi Line

[marknewton]

Another compact station that would make a great prototype for a layout. Ashidachi would be ideal as a basis for a shelf layout, as its located on the side of a river valley,with a steep hillside behind it and a stone retaining wall below it.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuDdvVwztRI

 

 

 

Cheers,

 

Mark.

[marknewton]

In 2015 Ashidachi has a small waiting shelter at the street entrance, an enclosed footbridge and another small shelter on the platform:

 

 

 

But back in 1992 when this photo was taken there was a traditional-style wooden station building and an older style of shelter on the platform:

 

 

 

The current track layout is simple - a crossing loop with trap points at the exit ends of the loop roads. In earlier times there was a more complex layout, as Ashidachi had an interchange with the tracks serving the Ashidachi Lime Company's plant. 

 

http://www.ashidachi.co.jp/D51.html

 

 

The lime works were where the famous Hakubi line limestone trains hauled by triple-headed D51s originated.

 

 

During the steam era the station had a short goods siding and accompanying shed, as well as exchange sidings on the up, or Bitchu-Kojiro end of the station.

 

 

 

http://www.geocities.jp/okazu1945/hakubisen/nunohara.htm

 

Cheers,

 

Mark.

Edited October 5, 2015 by marknewton

[marknewton]

Just saw this on the HS webpages:

 

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10350690

 

If you're working in 1/80th scale like I am, and you already have 4 Kato D51s like I do, these hopper wagons would be very tempting... :)

 

Cheers,

 

Mark.

[yakumo381]

What a great little station. The Yakumo LEX cross over each other at Ashidachi but I have never got out to take a look around. Defo a must do for next year's trip!

 

[marknewton]

I like those 381 series cars. I wonder how much work there would be in modifying a Tomix 485/489 series model or a MicroAce 189 series to represent a 381?

 

Cheers,

 

Mark.

[miyakoji]

I like those 381 series cars. I wonder how much work there would be in modifying a Tomix 485/489 series model or a MicroAce 189 series to represent a 381?

 

Cheers,

 

Mark.

 

The bodies of the 381s have a slight taper at the bottom, I guess to stay within loading gauge if they go through a station while tilting.  From a greater distance, I think it would be difficult to distinguish a 381 from a 189, although maybe there are other differences I'm not aware of.  The 485s have more electrical gear on the roof for dual current capability.

 

I would definitely like to see a 381 model in the Yuttari Yakumo livery.  The older Yakumo livery was ok, but I don't think I'd be too keen on the purple Super Yakumo paint.

[marknewton]

Miyakoji, I found out my idea of making a 381 is a non-starter. As you noted they have a taper at the bottom sill, but I've discovered that they have a different shape altogether than the 189 and 489 series, as well as being slightly narrower. I'm not that adventurous that I'd consider hacking a model around that much. Pity, I really like the look of these cars.

 

Cheers,

 

Mark.

[miyakoji]

Mark, Tomix has a 6-car 381 series set with the correct panorama car (built by JR West from intermediate cars in the early 90s versus the ones in the Shinano formations, which I think were original).  I don't know the Yakumo formations, I think they vary based on season and holidays and such, but otherwise I think it would just require paint.  The item is 92898 http://www.tomytec.co.jp/tomix/products/n/92898.htm .  Kato also has a Shinano model without the panorama car, 10-1112: http://www.katomodels.com/n/381kei/

 

A few years ago I wrote a little bit about the Yakumo and included front end videos: http://www.jnsforum.com/community/topic/5821-jr-west-hakubi-line-yuttari-yakumo-full-ride-okayama-to-izumo-shi/

[railsquid]

Mark, Tomix has a 6-car 381 series set with the correct panorama car (built by JR West from intermediate cars in the early 90s versus the ones in the Shinano formations, which I think were original).  I don't know the Yakumo formations, I think they vary based on season and holidays and such, but otherwise I think it would just require paint.  The item is 92898 http://www.tomytec.co.jp/tomix/products/n/92898.htm .  Kato also has a Shinano model without the panorama car, 10-1112: http://www.katomodels.com/n/381kei/

 

But not in HO I guess?

[miyakoji]

Ah that's right, Mark works in HO doesn't he.  Both of the links are to N gauge, yes.  Too bad.  An HO 381 set would be #$%^& awesome, no doubt.

[marknewton]

It's all good, I learned a lot from those links, particularly your Yakumo thread. That was very interesting! :)

 

All the best,

 

Mark.