People’s Republic of China N Scale trains

[disturbman]

Analog versions is scheduled for release first half of next year. DCC+smoke will be released later.

Changming will also release their first SL next year, they have been working on it for a while now.

[Kiha66]

Where are people buying Chinese models these days?  I joined an HO club and was considering picking up some in HO as well, but it seems they're kinda hard to come by now.

[disturbman]

It's become impossible to source directly from China has local demand is outpacing production at the moment; at least for N and iconic H0 models. That's why I have been collaborating with @Wolf and J-Scale to bring Chinese and Taiwanese models in. As well as provide CE, WEEE, customer support and spare parts.

Plus the non-Mainland sources proved to be rather unreliable—I have had a few very bad experiences with Khaho and cannot recommend them due to poor customer service—or the announcement to release pace usually requires immediate knowledge and ordering as retailers are allocated very limited quantities and these are often quickly snapped.

In this perspective, I think Wolf and I offer the most hassle free experience at the moment. At least, I can take your tentative reservation now and remove German VAT. Our ex-EU shipping costs has plummeted and are now competitive.

Otherwise, there is Tekkon Models in Japan, though I think they stopped shipping abroad and I have had to rely on the help of a friendly hand to order from there, and CN R Rail Model in Hong Kong if you don't want to go through an EU vendor. Jacky, the owner, is a peach.

Edited October 18, 2024 by disturbman

[tripel7]

A CR400AF is appearing on the horizon:

https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/hsyJ74ajwXLPzDOqowmzIg

[tripel7]

And released: 

https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/-VBS0IwLVLHlPmIZulhX1w

[disturbman]

Not yet, likely Thursday. The product pictures haven't been released yet.

Changming is running against the clock to have everything released and shipped before CNY.

Edited January 14 by disturbman

[disturbman]

Well, the first few pictures have made it into the public. We will likely see better/more details one tomorrow.

 

 

 

[disturbman]

Adding pictures of some of the details, which are quite bluffing.

 

 

 

 

 

(as always, Changming gave me the rights to share their pictures)

[tripel7]

7 hours ago, disturbman said:

Adding pictures of some of the details, which are quite bluffing.

.... 

 

(as always, Changming gave me the rights to share their pictures)

I love how they didn't just modelled the toilets, but also the squatting toilets

[disturbman]

CM is on a CR400 roll. CR400AF released and CR400BF and CR400AF-Z announced. The renders are done and CM announced releases will be faster than the CR400AF since some of the work was already done for the AF.

Actually, scratch that, China is on a CR400 roll. Kunter has been trying to hitch its wagons on the CM hype by pushing their own CR400AF. I had thought they had abandoned the project with CM already working on it. Release is scheduled for this Summer, but people are complaining they still haven't released the last extension of the 380AL (and might never do it).

CR400BF

 

 

CR400AF-Z

[Section31]

On 10/17/2024 at 11:41 PM, disturbman said:

It's become impossible to source directly from China has local demand is outpacing production at the moment; at least for N and iconic H0 models. That's why I have been collaborating with @Wolf and J-Scale to bring Chinese and Taiwanese models in. As well as provide CE, WEEE, customer support and spare parts.

Plus the non-Mainland sources proved to be rather unreliable—I have had a few very bad experiences with Khaho and cannot recommend them due to poor customer service—or the announcement to release pace usually requires immediate knowledge and ordering as retailers are allocated very limited quantities and these are often quickly snapped.

In this perspective, I think Wolf and I offer the most hassle free experience at the moment. At least, I can take your tentative reservation now and remove German VAT. Our ex-EU shipping costs has plummeted and are now competitive.

Otherwise, there is Tekkon Models in Japan, though I think they stopped shipping abroad and I have had to rely on the help of a friendly hand to order from there, and CN R Rail Model in Hong Kong if you don't want to go through an EU vendor. Jacky, the owner, is a peach.

 

I just restarted the hobby (owning some roco ho trains) but yeah i Khaho is odd but for shipping to canada it seems great (80hkd). I used to go to Lee Kwon Hobbies in Jordan to get my stuff whenever i went back on yearly basis. 

 

Khaho policy is odd even for Hong Kong toy resellers. Its online price is online price and there instore price is the regular one. Got caught off guard by it but now i know, next time i will either spend instore to get the 20% off or order online and pickup from the store.  I am probably shifting from Japan to Hong Kong for my orders now (yen going up and travel costs too high).

 

I am starting to look into taobao storefront and using there caniano service (63rmb for first 0.5kg and 36rmb for next 0.5kg) or take advantage of free shipping to China/Hong Kong. Can pickup and bring the stuff back to canada myself. 

 

I saw the chang ming brand instore and i kind of want to pick one up but probably next time (this year) i go back to HK. it is nice they have many location i can pickup from - i don’t want to go tsuen wan/tai po from hk island to pickup toys

 

 

[disturbman]

28 minutes ago, Section31 said:

Khaho is odd but for shipping to canada it seems great (80hkd)

Technically it should be 80HKD but my experience has varied. I had sometimes to pay 0 HKD for shipping and the next time 200HKD for a shipment with a similar weight. It's just random and unpredictable, likely based and who is handling your order. But the real issues with them is the lack of support if anything goes wrong.

The problem with TB is that most models sell out instantly at release, so it's neither a reliable nor a relaxed way to secure them.

Edited Sunday at 08:48 PM by disturbman

[Section31]

48 minutes ago, disturbman said:

Technically it should be 80HKD but my experience has varied. I had sometimes to pay 0 HKD for shipping and the next time 200HKD for a shipment with a similar weight. It's just random and unpredictable, likely based and who is handling your order. But the real issues with them is the lack of support if anything goes wrong.

The problem with TB is that most models sell out instantly at release, so it's neither a reliable nor a relaxed way to secure them.

 

I also have bought 1/64 model cars from other hk shops online shipped internationally and locally (rcmart, hobbydigi, tinyhk) and there intl shipping prices really vary. Hobbydigi sells tomix but international shipping is like 500hkd so khaho is good. RCmart is either cheap or it quickly hits 30-40usd. 

 

All not great customer service (norm for hong kong in general it seems no matter the sector).

 

Unfortunately not much retailers with good options in canada and us/europe shipping and stronger currency makes its not worth buying from there.

Edited Sunday at 09:34 PM by Section31