Tsugawa TMC100

[velotrain]

Does anyone here have one of these?

 

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10168393

 

I don't know the engine designation in this ballast train photo, but the Tsugawa is the closest that I've seen.  It's entirely possible that World Kogei has produced the one in the photo, but no doubt likely long sold out (as HS puts it) and quite expensive.

 

 

 

 

I'm wondering about the running qualities - is it a rabbit, or can it start / run slowly?

 

I'd complain about the crudeness of the detail, but Jeff would invoke the 30 cm rule and take me to task for expecting too much from the manufacturer of a $50 engine - telling me I should just be grateful that it's available at all  ;-)

 

The engine in the photo may or may not have a small crane, but if it does it's lower than the cab roof - unlike the model.  However, the cab is elevated more than that on the TMC100.

 

I might be tempted to remove the crane and it's very thick platform.  No doubt some added detail - such as cab handrails and lights, would help - as well as extensive weathering, as unlike revenue equipment these seem to be poorly maintained and/or just very old.

 

 

[katoftw]

 

No go go tho.

Edited January 29, 2016 by katoftw

[railsquid]

Those are the unmotorized Greenmax kits.

 

This is the one I have (on the right, if it's not clear ;) )

 

 

 

I'm wondering about the running qualities - is it a rabbit, or can it start / run slowly?

 

Fastest acceleration of any loco I have... Good at stalling on points too.

[velotrain]

I'm glad you mentioned which one you were referring to, as they're both so similar.

 

In that case, maybe I'll just go with the GM version and make it a static ballast train - the detail on the GM one actually looks a bit crisper.

 

 

BTW - there's an interesting use for the short crane cars in katoftw's image - a post by bikkuri bahn has some images of a rail train consisting solely of two of those (well, with a MOW engine), with a long spacer bar connecting them, and the rail draped between them.  Bottom of page 1 here:

 

http://www.jnsforum.com/community/topic/10451-welded-rail-trains/

Edited January 29, 2016 by velotrain

[railsquid]

I'm glad you mentioned which one you were referring to, as they're both so similar.

 

In that case, maybe I'll just go with the GM version and make it a static ballast train - the detail on the GM one actually looks a bit crisper.

 

Yeah, to be honest while I don't regret buying it (used, 4500 yen IIRC) it's more of a static exhibit which can move itself between locations if required.

[cteno4]

the gm can be fitted with a tgw mech, it just needs about a mm or so routing out of the inside of the cab. i looked at this a few years back and got it to where it would work with the older tgw mech. there have been some new mechs out in the last few years that might also fit better, the old tgw used a fatter motor on it.

 

can always try to diode down the voltage some on these little mechs but room is tough perhaps a simple voltage limiter circuit kvp might suggest but very limited space in there!

 

can also help to wire up the wheels on the trailing car to help it negotiate frogs and dirty spots...

 

you can pick those gm up in the train only kit very cheap to play with for mow bits.

 

jeff

[Claude_Dreyfus]

My Tsugawa example goes like a scalded cat. Its a nice model, but not great for controlled operations!

[velotrain]

I'm wondering if a Kato 11-103 chassis might work?  You would need to cut off the ends, which means no couplers.  My thought is that you could safely cut back to the blocks with the screws on top of  them.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kato-11-103-Powered-Motorized-Chassis-N-scale-/351634045540?hash=item51df05ba64

 

Based on the PJ photo, I measure a 28mm wheelbase and 47mm between the outside edges of the boxes - since the sides are beveled, I suspect you could take ~ 1mm off the outer edge.

 

Would someone who owns the Tsugawa and/or GM versions be willing to take the corresponding measurements?

 

One potential issue is that the Tsugawa chassis is inside framed, while the Kato is outside framed, so you might need to graft the Tsugawa chassis side detail onto the Kato chassis.  You could probably sand off a lot of the Kato side detail without impacting operation - does anyone know if the bumps on the motor housing just above the steps are cosmetic or not?  Or - perhaps live with the Kato side detail and remove that on the switcher body save for the center steps.

 

==>>  Does anyone know the designation for the switcher in the first photo with the elevated and ever so slightly "cantilevered" cab?

 

 

[Das Steinkopf]

The locomotive in the photo is a TMC 200, basically the bigger brother of the TMC 100, as far as I know they are still in widepread use as I have seen photo's of them in Hokkaido and parts of Honshu.

 

In regards to the TGW TMC 100, I have one as well and agree that it sprints like a rabbit and can outrun my sons W7 Hakutaka, mind you it is a nice little model and is of fairly solid constuction with a diecast body, I accidentally launched it of a test circuit one night at ultra high speed and it didn't even scratch it. I also have the TGW rail carrying bolsters fitted with the crane, they are also diecast and have a bit of weight to them, which is great given that with their small size you need something to keep them on the tracks.

Edited January 30, 2016 by Das Steinkopf

[cteno4]

The kato mech is just too large for the gm model. It's got tiny space in there

 

Jeff