0 Shinkansen - Kato, Micro Ace or Tomix?

[trainhoarder]

I am looking to buy one of the original, iconic 0 Series Shinkansens which are of course offered by all three major manufacturers. My question is, which one is the best? From my own research I would say the Kato but I haven't seen any in-depth reviews of the Micro Ace and Tomix ones which seem to be easier to find. Obviously as well there is the fact that Micro Ace is the only company to offer the 0 Shinkansen in their original 1964 condition.

[kvp]

Actually Tomix made both the 12 and the 16 car configurations in 2014, including lighted nosecone and all wheel pickups. There was also a first run 50th anniversary special set with the right car numbers.

[serotta1972]

This thread might help you decide - awesome write up.

 

http://www.jnsforum.com/community/topic/10498-0-series-shinkansen-0-1000-r14-hikari-organized-shuttle-6-car-set/?hl=%2Bmicro+%2Bace+%2Bseries+%2B0&do=findComment&comment=121243

[Suica]

Tomix also produced the 6-car 7000 subseries in both, fresh green and regular white/blue livery, with the latter even being equipped with all-wheel pickup.

[Kiha66]

I only have the Kato version, but I'd definitely recommend it.  Runs like a champ, and converting to the other couplers and DCC is quite easy.  The detail is quite good, and the model runs on surprisingly small radius track.  The pantographs are a little delicate, but only in the raised position.  I'd recommend switching to the more prototypical couplers (kato 11-703) as they greatly improve the looks and spacing between cars.

[trainhoarder]

What do you guys think of this?

http://www.loco1hobby.net/en/shinkansen/482-micro-ace-a9658.html

 

Has anybody ordered from this site before? It's the only one left so quick replies would be appreciated.

[Kiha66]

Loco 1 hobby is a good source, never had any problems with them before.

 

Edit:

 

Looks like they have some of the 8 car sets, and the 8 car add on it stock too, in case you want a longer train, or miss the 6 car version.

http://www.loco1hobby.net/en/micro-ace/480-micro-ace-a9656.html

http://www.loco1hobby.net/en/shinkansen/481-micro-ace-a9657.html

Edited July 1, 2017 by Kiha66

[cteno4]

Loco1hobby and modeltrainplus are two of the best shops out there, especially for export. They speak full English, are very customer oriented and both great chaps to boot. You can reach out to them on preorders, custom orders or questions and they will try their best to help. You can see threads on them in the retailer forum here.

 

Cheers

 

Jeff

[trainhoarder]

Sounds good...apart from P+P and a small handling charge, would there be any extra costs in your experience?

[Ochanomizu]

I frequently buy from Loco1hobby.  Mr David has never let me down.

[trainhoarder]

Well I've bit the Bullet (Train), and ordered a four-car Tomix set from Hobbysearch. I'll order the two extra cars later so I can have a 6-Car Kodama set. My Japanese N gauge adventure has started!

[JR 500系]

Well I've bit the Bullet (Train), and ordered a four-car Tomix set from Hobbysearch. I'll order the two extra cars later so I can have a 6-Car Kodama set. My Japanese N gauge adventure has started!

 

Well done! Welcome aboard! Have fun!

 

Side note - usually it doesn't stop at 1 consists ~  :)

[trainhoarder]

I've already got my eye on a 100 Series...I'd quite like an EF66 at some point as well, they have character in spades.

Money was tight this month so I went for the cheaper Tomix one but I'd definitely buy MicroAce in the future.

[Mutro]

 Kato, Micro Ace or Tomix in 2025?  I'd like to resurrect this topic since many years have passed, and potentially new models introduced.

[RS18U]

Yes, I would like some insights on this too. 

[Wolf]

Never touch the Kato one. Its ancient, and never has been overhauled, and I doubt it will be done with that weird upcomming 4 car only release.

 

Personally would take Tomix, although a new original '64 0 Type is yet to come, the new NH16 and 0-1000 formations are pretty, decent made, powered couplers and so on.

 

Stephan

[disturbman]

@Wolfanswered while I was typing, but I'll post my answer anyway.

Never Kato. They haven't updated their 0 since their first production run eons ago. That model is highly out of date.

Answer is Tomix for the production series 0, and MA for the prototypes. I don't think MA is making a production series 0 anyway.

Edited March 14 by disturbman

[cteno4]

Ive always been a fan of the tomix power couplers with shinkansens. They run very smoothly.

 

jeff

[Kingmeow]

Not sure about specifically the 0 but would the Kato be easier to stick a decoder in if you are DCC?

Edited March 14 by Kingmeow

[disturbman]

No, it's neither DCC-ready nor DCC-friendly.

 

10-1700 and 10-1701 were simple re-release. The only upgrades from the original release was the updated motor and light boards.

[RS18U]

7 hours ago, Wolf said:

Never touch the Kato one. Its ancient, and never has been overhauled, and I doubt it will be done with that weird upcomming 4 car only release.

 

 

Thanks, I was wondering about the Kato and that 'interesting' 4 car set which seems to be marketed as much to tourists as hobbyists, maybe more so.

[Lessigen]

Preaching to the choir at this point but I will concur with the others and get TOMIX. They regularly produce 0 Series and the tooling is quite good. They just released the 0-1000 Series a couple months ago, but you can also find other formations (like the NH16, N, H or even R formations) fairly easily. The launch-day Hikari 12-car formation TOMIX made for the 50th anniversary (98929) is difficult to find these days so I hope they will reproduce that even if it isn't a limited edition.

 

MicroAce also does it but their runs are usually very far and few between; on the flip side they do some of the more obscure variants. KATO is a no go, I do wonder why they insist on not updating it.

[Mutro]

 

Thanks everyone for your advice!  I just ordered a Tomix 98885 JNR Series 0-1000 Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen 8 Cars Set.  Over the years, I've been fortunate to ride just about every Shinkansen versions, but the experience of riding the Series 0 is still my all time favorite!