More on Tomytec Bus Systems.

[FastFranz]

Ciao,

 

Time to go back to Italy (for holidays) is coming close so, after a long absence, here I am again. Focus is, this time, on TomyTec Bus System:

 

Despite they are not easy to find (sold out almost everywhere) I’m searching a “TomyTec Bus Starter Set”, this being said I have few of questions:

• Actual differences (beyond bus model, size seems to be mm 440x770 for both) between “Starter Set” B1 and B3 ?

 

I found a “Starter Set” B1 available in Italy (no custom, no shipping hustles, cheap delivery fee, easy to pick up and bring with me to Africa where I, now, happen to live and so on) but is pricey (at least). I am considering – from a practical point of view - at two options:

• “Stand alone” layout (a.k.a. keep it simple!!!)
• Adding it to an existing, small, Tram Layout I already have.

 

At this regard, will one of those kit (let’s say B1) fit outside my tram line (an “oval-line” consisting of SIX C103-60-WT curves (diameter mm 206 at “center” of the track), three on each edge, and four straight tracks S140 WT (140 mm each). See attached images.

 

Final questions:

• Will two of these kits be enough to realize a “two lane” track (I guess not, but …)?
• Has any of You fitted a bus with front/tail lights?

 

Thanks in advance. Greeting from Africa.

Francesco

 

PS: NO PayPal for reasons too long to explain here. ;)

[kvp]

Set B1 and B3 both have 177 mm curves. You'll need a set A (140mm) and a set B (177) for two lanes. Set B (177mm) will fit snugly around a 144 mm bus or tram set and a 144 mm will fit around a 103mm. If you have the SA-WT tram loop it will fit inside the bus loop (both A and B sets).

 

ps: sets with the same id but a different trailing number are usually color variations (this is also true for buildings)

[JR 500系]

The B sets series are strange, in the sense that they have all C177-30 curves, whereas the earlier A series sets (A1 and A2), contains alternative C103 and C140 curves... Having alternative curves means straight away by buying 2 sets you can easily form a dual lane running set....

 

The A series sets are harder to find though as they are mostly sold out, but you might still be able to find the track set A only (without the bus):

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10250635

 

As for the B series, HS carries all 3 variants in stock:

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10209228

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10209229

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10209233

 

Otherwise, you can also buy tracks separately to join the tracks, using a easy curve principle, C66 is the smallest on the inside of the curve, and C214 is the biggest curve on the external.

 

As for lights on the bus, I have tried but as I suck at shouldering, it didn't succeed... However, Tomytec has done the newest Citaro articulated bus type that has both front and rear lights already installed ~

 

hoped that helps! Cheers~

[railsquid]

I believe you can also make your own bus "track" by embedding a guide wire in the road surface (which reminds me must work out how I can fit in a loop on my layout).

[FastFranz]

Hi,

 

THX You all. I got - today, it will arrive in Rome and I'll be in Africa untill middle june :( - a Set A (eBay, used item at a fair price) so I should be "half-done". Probably I'll need two, more, straight "tracks", but I'm not sure, to match my tram loop.  Making a my own bus track is one of my goal but delayed in time ... ;)

 

Francesco

Edited May 18, 2017 by FastFranz