Hello from Kyoto Japan and Tucson AZ USA

[sandiway]

I live in Tucson AZ USA but am spending a year in Kyoto. I started buying N-gauge trains and Tomix track at Yodobashi Camera (Kyoto) and also at Volks (Kyoto) and Joshin (Namba, Osaka).

 

My plan is a nostalgia one. This summer I will return to Tucson AZ and plan to have the trains I take often while in Kyoto. This means the Hankyu and Keihan lines from Kawaramachi and Demachiyanagi to Umeda and Yodoyabashi. They will serve to remind me of my time in Kyoto after this year.

 

So I bought an inexpensive set of the brown Hankyu 6300 series train (4 cars) and the recently released green/white Keihan 1000 series train (7 cars).  I wanted the Keihan 8000 series train (8 cars including the double decker) since I take that limited express often but it's not available new in Japan anymore. I understand the blue Keihan train will be released end of this month.

 

The orange/red trains to Kurama are sadly not available new anymore. I've been looking for them.

 

But I also picked up the Keifuku 631 release from Modemo plus the purple 2nd car.

 

(I take the Osaka Loop line often but those trains are ugly so I'm not interested in them. The Haruka express from Kyoto to KIX is also ugly.)

 

Bought a small display case for the trains. I have space for a small layout in Tucson. About 64 inches by 40 inches, approx. 1625mm x 1040mm. I will use 1625mm x 1000mm. For aesthetic reasons, I will run a simple double loop diagonally in that space to maximize the straights using Tomix Wide Track with a short siding on both loops. The outer loop may get partially elevated and incorporate Tomix's single truss bridge. Thinking also of a single height embankment S140 on both sides of the bridge. I've set up the layout virtually. Buy all track while I'm in Japan. Drink Hibiki whisky with a tear in the eye and watch the trains run when back in Tucson. That's the plan.

[cteno4]

Welcome Sandiway!

 

That's great to have a year in Kyoto! Model trains are a great way to remember your time well then. I ended up switching to Japanese model trains from American trains after on of my visits as I realized how many memories I have of my japan trips are associated with trains in one way or another.

 

Enjoy and keep us posted!

 

Cheers

 

Jeff

[sandiway]

Thanks for the welcome! I am just doing simple things compared to many of you but I will post some pictures of my layouts, trains, etc.

[sid21177]

I am in Phoenix, I wonder if you will bring back some stuff for me :) LOL j/k

[sandiway]

I am in Phoenix, I wonder if you will bring back some stuff for me :) LOL j/k

I am currently back in Tucson and am bringing American rolling stock back to Kyoto for a friend

[sandiway]

As a newbie, I'm not sure where to post the updates to my system in the forum system. Anyway, here is what I'm planning. 

 

http://elmo.sbs.arizona.edu/sandiway/ngauge/index.html

[sandiway]

FYI, I've put it in as a topic in Personal Projects > Layout Planning.

I've also added an appendix covering shops in Kyoto and Osaka.