MicroAce - New Releases

[katoftw]

I'm seriously thinking of hitting the go button on a Kyushu Kiha 140+47 [isaburo/Shinpei] (3-Car Set).

[Densha]

MicroAce announcements scheduled for May-July: http://microace-arii.co.jp/poster/img/14_02w.jpg

Interesting to see both the Chichibu Deki's and the JRW 223 series. Kato has already made both the 2500 and 6000 subseries though... I wish they'd do the 223-5000 someday.

[Densha]

For those looking for the Hayato no Kaze, HS has it back in stock (probably in a very small amount): http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10105422

[katoftw]

For those looking for the Hayato no Kaze, HS has it back in stock (probably in a very small amount): http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10105422

Oh great now the wife is gonna kill me.

 

I have the Ibusuki no Tamatebako in the post between Japan and Australia.

 

I have the Isaburo/Shinpei on pre-order.

 

And now I have this one to add to the collection...

 

And now HS is showing as sold out.  Same thing happened when I brought the Ibusuki no Tamatebako, shoed as sold out, and then more were available a week later.

 

p.s. Thank you for the heads up.

Edited March 4, 2014 by katoftw

[katoftw]

_{Must have got it as HS have billed me.}

Edited March 5, 2014 by katoftw

[JR 500系]

? I totally missed that...

 

Might as well... Otherwise gonna blow even more getting the Isaburo-Shinpei, ibusuki no Tamatebako and all other Kyushu express trains. Better stay on the mainland haha ¬¬

[katoftw]

I got all those plus a white sonic in the past 3 weeks.  Kyushu is emptying my wallet out.

[Densha]

Be prepared to see your money going to MicroAce this summer.

 

http://microace-arii.co.jp/poster/img/14_03_1w.jpg

• 0+1000 series Shinkansen 2×16-car + 6-car formations
• JR Kyushu 813-200 series in both red and black livery
• Keio 9000 series in multiple formations

 

http://microace-arii.co.jp/poster/img/14_03_2w.jpg

• Sotetsu 7000 series
• Sotetsu SeYa700 testing train based on 7000 series
• Nagaden 2000 series
• Seibu 3000 series
• Seibu 4000 series
• And something my wallet is not happy about: a rerelease of the JR West 213 series: Marine Liner! Now I have to choose between two versions while I like the previous red line better actually. But still this is awesome news.

[disturbman]

So still not the actual configuration mixing the JR Shikoku 5000 Series bi-level car and JR West 223 Series.

[JR 500系]

 

http://microace-arii.co.jp/poster/img/14_03_1w.jpg

• 0+1000 series Shinkansen 2×16-car + 6-car formations
• JR Kyushu 813-200 series in both red and black livery

 

Err... didn't Kato already released the KR Kyushu 813-200 in both colours?

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10141531

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10144217

 

Also, the large window Zero series is also being release by Tomix, right? Tomix has that special promotion whereby one can get a special lighted up nose 0 series front car with purchase of 3 different sets, so I reckon buying Tomix is a wiser move? Nothing against MA at all, just that it seems weird releasing models which others have already released...

[Densha]

So still not the actual configuration mixing the JR Shikoku 5000 Series bi-level car and JR West 223 Series.

Nope, unfortunately. But I wanted to have the formerly used 213 series as well and I think somewhere in the future they will release the new Marine Liner as well considering they have been announcing some 223 series formations lately.

 

 

Err... didn't Kato already released the KR Kyushu 813-200 in both colours?

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10141531

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10144217

 

Also, the large window Zero series is also being release by Tomix, right? Tomix has that special promotion whereby one can get a special lighted up nose 0 series front car with purchase of 3 different sets, so I reckon buying Tomix is a wiser move? Nothing against MA at all, just that it seems weird releasing models which others have already released...

Yes that correct. But some trains have been made by Kato, Tomix AND MicroAce. Two manufacturers doing the same model is not really an exception.

 

Yeah but Tomix's model is an 0 series 0 subseries model whilst the MicroAce release is a formation using both 0 subseries as well as 1000 subseries cars. And the 6-car set is a special guest anyway.

[E6系]

Nagaden 2000 series looks good.  But I'm beginning to wonder just how many 0系 shinkansen will be modelled by MA, Tomix and Kato?  Maybe the whole fleet?

[JR 500系]

 

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10258655

Isaburo / Shinpei  - I could swear i'll definitely get this train if it wasn't a Kyushu train.... Somehow, my poor memories tell me this isn't the first time Microace release the Isaburo-Shinpei? Or was that the Hayato-No-Kaze? But i could be wrong...

 

Ahah!

 

Was happily browsing through MicroAce webpage of their previous releases posters and banging my head on some of the release models which I regret not getting now, I stumbled upon this:

 

http://www.microace-arii.co.jp/poster/img/09_12.jpg

 

So, I recalled correctly! This isn't the first time MA made the Isaburo-Shinpei. The last was done back in 2010. Does that mean we can foresee the re-release of the Hayato-No-Kaze? Somehow these two trains, together with the SL Hitoyoshi, goes hand in hand on the Hitsatsu line; which was voted the top 3 most scenic railway journey in Japan.

[disturbman]

Yes. It was not the first time he Isaburo-Shinpei was released, first time was as a 2-cars set. MA could rerelease the Hayato-No-Kaze, though they do have plenty more trains they could rerelease...

[200系]

Finally a correct post 1976 revision 16 car 0系 formation!!

 

JR500Nozomi,

 

 

Also, the large window Zero series is also being release by Tomix, right? Tomix has that special promotion whereby one can get a special lighted up nose 0 series front car with purchase of 3 different sets, so I reckon buying Tomix is a wiser move? Nothing against MA at all, just that it seems weird releasing models which others have already released...

 

As Densha mentioned, they are different, though let me go into a bit more detail from there.

 

Tomix is releasing a full 0系0番台 formations (12 car formation N2 (1964~1965) 16 car H formation (1970~1974) and a 16 car S formation (1972~1980) while the newly announced MicroAce model represents a 16 car mixed 0番台/1000番台 (I.E correct post 1976) Nh formation.

 

The Nh formations where the result of the 3rd revision of the 0系 Hikari formations (1970/1974 and 1976), in which the 35形 was replaced by a 37形. This final revision was a result of the opening of the full Sanyō shinkansen in 1975 and the fine tuning needed for servicing the now much longer Shinkansen from Tōkyō.

The Nh formations, in which the N refered to 'New' I.E. 'New Hikari', where formed using excisting H formations and replacing their oldest life expired 0番台 cars with new build 1000番台 cars, and would continue from 1976 till 1986. From 1981 till 1986 life expired cars where replaced using new 2000番台 cars, creating 0番台/2000番台 mixed formations, or as in a large number of cases 0番台/1000番台/2000番台 formations depending on the age and batch number of the cars in that specific formation (hardly any formation was the same in this regard, and the replacement of life expired cars was a constant factor).

After the demise of J.N.R. the Nh formations (by far the largest group of formations within the 0系 fleet) where split between JR Tōkai and JR West.

JR Tōkai retired it's final Nh formation in early 1995, while JR West kept it's remaining Nh formation till the final 0系 Hikari services in 1998 (JR Tōkai used their Y/Yk Kodama formations for these services post 1995) while keeping a single formation (Nh32) for school charters, this formation was retired in early 2000.

The JR West formations used a different arrangement post 1995 though.

 

The MicroAce model represents JR Tōkai formation Nh49 as it was in the early 90's and can be used till early 1995. The 6 car (W)R formation represents a JR West R formation, though these formations where mainly used in Kodama service on the Sanyō Shinkansen, R14 was used for a short while in Hikari service. It can be used to represent a typical early (W)R Formation (R2 sub group, as opposed to the later more famous R61 sub group) from the 1990's.

 

for more information on the Tomix model see my response in the Tomix section:

 

http://www.jnsforum.com/community/topic/2472-tomix-new-releases/page-21?do=findComment&comment=93560

 

Incidentally, the MA model actually competes with the Kato model in a way, as the Kato model also represents a Nh formation though, a 1980's 2000番台/1000番台 mix.

 

 

I'm sorry to provide somewhat less information then usual, but as I'm at sea for the next 3 1/2 months I don't have acces to all the sources I want. I do hope it anwers your question though :)

 

-Sander

Edited March 18, 2014 by 200系

[kvp]

Wow! That's still far more information than i've ever heard about the various 0 series. I didn't know they were playing mix and match that much with trains that really look like fixed conists. So if i understand correctly the first cars were life expired after only 12 years. That's really short, but looks like a trend that seems to be kept even today. (in comparision, most rolling stock in Hungary are kept for around 50-60 years before replacement, with some surviving in daily revenue service even longer)

[katoftw]

Err... didn't Kato already released the KR Kyushu 813-200 in both colours?

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10141531

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10144217

 

Also, the large window Zero series is also being release by Tomix, right? Tomix has that special promotion whereby one can get a special lighted up nose 0 series front car with purchase of 3 different sets, so I reckon buying Tomix is a wiser move? Nothing against MA at all, just that it seems weird releasing models which others have already released...

Kato yeah have done the 813-200s.

Mirco Ace already have done the 813-0/400s and 813-300s.  So much not difference in these releases.  Maybe just trying to edge into something Kato has done.

 

I cannot tell you the differences between those.  They all look the same.  Kato vs MicroAce you can, but not the MAs 3 versions/series though.

 

Pretty normal practice for any type of company to make something a competitor is making.

 

Although not sure if MA will sell many considering theirs is 3000 yen more than Katos.

Edited March 19, 2014 by katoftw

[JR 500系]

Wow! Thanks for the informative read Sander san! Didn't know there was so much to just the 0 series alone. Ever the shinkansen expert!

 

 

Finally a correct post 1976 revision 16 car 0系 formation!!

 

JR500Nozomi,

 

 

I'm sorry to provide somewhat less information then usual, but as I'm at sea for the next 3 1/2 months I don't have acces to all the sources I want. I do hope it anwers your question though :)

 

-Sander

 

No have to apologize Sander san! That was more than enough information and nowhere near 'less' information! Now i'll appreciate the 0 series just that little more...

[E6系]

200系,

 

Still, I've reached a point whereby I must question my need to collect more shinkansen, particularly 0, 100, 200, and n700系 ... I have 3 or 4 of each already in various configurations.

[Guest keio6000]

Sorry, can somebody explain to me the Keio 9000 series on the current microace release poster?

 

the keuo 9000 and 8000 were announced a LOOOOOOOOOOOONG time ago (years ago) and delayed many many times.   However, for the last year or so they have been more or less on the schedule for april,2014.   but now, with the time being, umm, neigh, they put the 9000 (but not the 8000) on a poster and ....  well i dont understand.  on the microace inventory list nothing has changed - no products added/removd, just the same april 2014 release for the 9000 and 8000 for which i've had pre-orders forever.  maybe it's been so long that they are just reminding people that these exist since they have nothing better to write on the poster, but it's confusing.

 

thanks!

[katoftw]

Long delays - labour dispute at their factory.

 

I have something I'm waiting on.  But since I've spent $300 in the past 3 days, then delaying a item probably isn't a bad thing.

Edited April 4, 2014 by katoftw

[Kabutoni]

Yes, I have heard about strikes in the MicroAce factory. It doesn't look good for MicroAce if this trend continues, MicroAce might either dissolve or the models will be ridiculously expensive. I think this is also the reason why manufacturers like Greenmax are steadily increasing their activity with models of private railways.

[Densha]

Strikes in the factory in China? (MA boxes always say 'Made in China')

[katoftw]

Yes China, they want a payrise from $5 a day to $6 a day.

[Densha]

If they would rise the prices of the models by only a few 100 yen the problem could be solved, no? But maybe they don't want to as the tax increases are already making things more expensive for their customers.