newbie starting

[kbreck]

hello all, I am in the midst of planning a small tram layout and have a ton of questions.  I have experience in US n-scale and British n-gauge but this is my first attempt at Japanese modeling.  here we go

 

1. can I use my MRC controller to power the layout and control the trains?

2. I want to use the Tomix tram track.  pros/cons also what about switches?

3. for my trams I am thinking either Tomytec type 700 with Thomas 2015 livery (and ordering the appropriate motor chassis etc.) or the Modemo Toyko tram type 8800, opinions?

4. what manufacturer makes a small tram shed?

5.  resources for track planning ideas or books in english?

 

thanks in advance!!

 

Keith

[velotrain]

Keith - have you tried using the forum search function?  It seems likely that all of these have been discussed in the past.

[cteno4]

Keith,

 

Welcome to the forum!

 

As Charles suggests you will find a lot poking around the forum threads, but it does take a little digging! But loads there.

 

I'll throw out a bit here

 

1. Sure fine using Mrc pack. Just keep the speed down to not crazy as many of the power packs can go up to 16vdc and most of the trams are 6-12v max. But again it's fine as long as you don't go full throttle if your power pack goes higher.

 

2. Tomix tram tracks don't have full integrated roadway points yet, you need to use the older clip on road plates (they may be oop now but can't find it, others may have an answer) to fill in around the mini points.

 

A good resource for Tomix and tram track setups is rich K's Tomix website http://trainweb.org/tomix/

 

3. The tomytec Thomas 700 is a nice looker and the modern tomytec mechs are good solid runners. Modemo 8800s are nice and good runners and have head and tail lights -- tomytec and some of the modemo trams don't have head or tail lights. Check out the tram forum, there is a lot of discussion on trams there as well.

 

4. Not many books in English on Japanese rail unfortunately. We do need to start a thread on them! What subjects are you looking for?

 

This one is on Amazon and I've meant to ask if anyone has it and what is in it

 

https://smile.amazon.com/Metros-Trams-Japan-Tokyo-Region/dp/3936573476/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1483573812&sr=1-2&keywords=Japan+tram

 

Electric railways if Japan, tramways, interurban, and metros is but in English but dated 1983

 

This is a great early rr history of Japan in English with great old photos.

 

https://smile.amazon.com/Early-Japanese-Railways-1853-1914-Engineering/dp/4805312904/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1483574403&sr=1-3&keywords=Japan+trains

 

Warning books can cost more than the book to ship. Amazon.jp ships some at aroundn$10 to the us. Loads of picture books and several rail fan and modeling magazines in Japan, but again they can be expensive to ship ans all in Japanese

 

4. No tram shed specifically, but some engine Houses that would work or modify

 

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/search?typ1_c=104&cat=&state=&sold=0&sortid=0&searchkey=Engine+house+n+scale

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10238899

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10069595

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10212517

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10212516

 

There are more and some discussion on the forum,smear him car barn or tram shed. Here is Charles kitbash of a firehouse into a little car barn

 

http://www.jnsforum.com/community/topic/9970-tomytec-fire-station-as-tram-carbarn/page-2?hl=%2Btram+%2Bshed&do=findComment&comment=115258

 

 

5. No track planning books in English that I know of. But many in Japanese that you can see the sectional plans and use the google translate app to translate bits with smartphone or tablet by snapping Picts.

 

Some from forum

 

http://www.jnsforum.com/community/topic/9951-good-source-to-learn-about-track-layout-planning-and-design/?hl=%2Btrack+%2Bplanning+%2Bbook&do=findComment&comment=113934

 

Recently reviewed

 

https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/4774183032/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

http://www.jnsforum.com/community/topic/11608-nxcales-projects-learning-while-breaking-stuff/?p=143057

 

Kato and Tomix also has some smaller bits with kilo post and small track planning books

 

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/list/1795/0/1

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/list/2254/0/1

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/list/1796/0/1

 

So there is a start and I'm sure others will have more to add

 

We may try to put together some newbie faqs on basic content like this that is asked a fair amount and gets buried in the forum!

 

Have fun

 

Jeff

[JR 500系]

Hi Keith;

 

I'll try to point you in the directions as requested:

 

1. can I use my MRC controller to power the layout and control the trains?

Sorry cant help you much on this as I am not so into electronics and DCCs...

 

2. I want to use the Tomix tram track.  pros/cons also what about switches?

Check out this thread for more details: http://www.jnsforum.com/community/topic/196-so-you-want-to-try-tomix-finetrack/page-11?hl=%2Btomix+%2Btrack&do=findComment&comment=146754

 

3. for my trams I am thinking either Tomytec type 700 with Thomas 2015 livery (and ordering the appropriate motor chassis etc.) or the Modemo Toyko tram type 8800, opinions?

I will go with the Modemo Toden Arakawa line 8800 series... They look much better, and comes with directional lights. The Tomytec do not have the working lights and after adding the necessary optional parts, they cost almost the same as a Modemo Ready to Run tram with directional lights and motor....

 

4. what manufacturer makes a small tram shed?

Havent seen a small tram shed, but these are some small sheds:

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10368064

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10174998

 

5.  resources for track planning ideas or books in English?

I love using this site (although in Japanese, but easy to navigate: http://www.katomodels.com/unitrackplan/   if you use Kato tracks

 

 

Hope these will supplement what Jeff has posted. Cheers!

[kbreck]

thank you all for the help!  I have been searching thru the forum all afternoon and have found some great info.  probably going to end up getting both trams, I love the Modemo but I have a three year old son who is a Thomas fanatic.  thanks again!!

[cteno4]

Keith,

 

You are most welcome. It can be hard to drag stuff out of the forum archives, at times you find the perfect thread and answer to your question and other times what you are looking for is spread in bits across 5 differet threads! things are missed due to the different terms folks can use.

 

The Mrc controller you have I'm assuming was a plain old DC one not dcc. If you want dcc you need to install your own decoders custom as only a handful of newer kato trains come with dcc decoder sockets.

 

Keep asking questions!

 

Cheers

 

Jeff

[velotrain]

One note on Modemo trams and track radius.  I believe it has been reported that Modemo sometimes have trouble with the Tomix 103 curves, but I think almost all trams will go through the 140 - perhaps with a few exceptions.

 

Rich K may provide some info on this.