Hobby Dreamer Posted August 22, 2009 Share Posted August 22, 2009 Well, Gentlemen... Order for 8 trams is in.... Ever had one of those days when you felt bonked but something told you that Japanese n-scale is not like other products so if you snooze, you lose! I decided to get Tomytec tram shells only without the motor. I will use these for static display in tram barns or on track where one would not want power units - assuming turnouts etc will be made. I have not paid the closest attention to many threads as I did not conceive of buying direct from Japan, so related issues were of no concern until now. But I sense there is some panic - a little more than just purchase frenzy from you all when it comes to orders. And I just noted that some items had waiting lists already. I bought from Hobby Search as they had a simple English interface and you all gave them good reviews. I wanted to get one motor assembly but these were on reserve, and I am not sure what that means exactly. If Kato expands the Unitram track then I will get Kato trams as I want the lights. And, heck, I want to support Kato for this new venture. Early consumer interest is what they will need in to offer more in the future. The only thing I am not sure of, is whether the tram shells have fake wheels for those that forgo the motor assembly. I have 2 tram barns from days gone by and may get a few more. I'm hoping for some additional track variation from Kato (other than ovals) so trams can be at barns or at intersections even if they are not powered. Finally, Did anyone note the length of the Portrams? Well I guess I am turning Japanese.... Rick Mod note: Split topic, new trams test thread. Link to comment
scott Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 Dear Scott Clark, Thank you for shopping at HOBBY SEARCH. The items reserved under the order No.09-0626-0027 are now in stock. Item name : The Railway Collection Toyama Light Rail TLR0601 (Red) (Model Train) Store code : 10090248 Item name : TM-LRT01 Power Unit For Railway Collection (For LRT) (Model Train) Store code : 10090251 Link to comment
Concept Model Trains Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 My Tomytec Toyama Light Rail models arrived this morning. I ordered one TLR0607 (Purple) ,TLR0604 (Green) and two TLR0601 (Red) all with a TM-LRT01 Power Unit. I also ordered three static models for display. Overall the price from Hobby Search was quite reasonable. It worked out about $45 AUD per unit for the motorized versions and $15 AUD a tram for the static models. I was impressed how fast Hobby Search got them to me. They were sent on Friday and got to me Monday morning. The TM-LRT01 power unit runs smooth and does a good job. It does not look out of place when fitted to the shell. I've only run the units for a short time but everything seems to work fine . Can't wait until the Kato units are available. These Tomytec units will keep me going until the Kato units arrive! Link to comment
Concept Model Trains Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 A few photos of my Tomytec Toyama Light Rail on the test track. Link to comment
Bernard Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 A few photos of my Tomytec Toyama Light Rail on the test track. Just got my confirmation that my order from HW was shipped, now the waiting. Link to comment
Guest ___ Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 Mine shipped a few days ago from HS, but are going to get rerouted upon delivery. I already sold mine to a friend who needs them before like NOW. Link to comment
scott Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 Ours is here--a red one. Hope to get it together and try it this weekend...although it'll be on the main line, since there's no power to the tram line yet. :-) Link to comment
Claude_Dreyfus Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 The red one has just arrived at my desk from japan Model Railways in Germany... Looks most impressive, and cannot wait to get home for a more detailed investigation. Now for the big question; do I need another one, two, three......? Link to comment
Bernard Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 The red one has just arrived at my desk from japan Model Railways in Germany... Looks most impressive, and cannot wait to get home for a more detailed investigation. Now for the big question; do I need another one, two, three......? Claude it's an addiction, you start with one and then you want more and more and ....... Link to comment
Claude_Dreyfus Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 The red one has just arrived at my desk from japan Model Railways in Germany... Looks most impressive, and cannot wait to get home for a more detailed investigation. Now for the big question; do I need another one, two, three......? Claude it's an addiction, you start with one and then you want more and more and ....... Not helped by the fact our club layout, which at long last should have some work starting on soon, is urban and will have a tram line! My one comes with the separate motor, which I will fit when I have some time... Link to comment
Martijn Meerts Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 That's a decently sized motor, and I even spot a flywheel.. Should run quite well =) Link to comment
Guest ___ Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 Got to see Dmitry's today at the JRM monthly meeting, or rather the TomyTec motors. they are pretty decent sized. After looking closer at his, I regretted parting with mine already. :( Link to comment
Hobby Dreamer Posted September 9, 2009 Author Share Posted September 9, 2009 Hi Guys.. Can anyone measure the dimensions? Thanks in advance... Hope you are all having fun with the new toys! Rick Link to comment
scott Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 I think one of the cats ate the pantograph off our tram. :-/ Time to find a replacement.... Link to comment
to2leo Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 I think one of the cats ate the pantograph off our tram. :-/ Time to find a replacement.... You mean the cat right? Link to comment
scott Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 all things must pass. Link to comment
bill937ca Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 Plaza Japan has Greenmax single arm pantographs. http://cgi.ebay.com/Single-Arm-Pantograph-PT71A-N-scale-Greenmax-5807_W0QQitemZ200381440412QQcmdZViewItemQQptZModel_RR_Trains?hash=item2ea7aa219c&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1262 http://cgi.ebay.com/Single-Arm-Pantograph-PT71B-N-scale-Greenmax-5808_W0QQitemZ360187238382QQcmdZViewItemQQptZModel_RR_Trains?hash=item53dcd517ee&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1262 Link to comment
scott Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 Thanks, Bill! Maybe I could toss that in with an order for a few other things we need. Link to comment
Bernard Posted September 12, 2009 Share Posted September 12, 2009 Excellent video of how the Tomytec tram comes apart & radius it can run on: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AH7kONnagWs&feature=PlayList&p=E69B52CEFAF7048C&index=0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpk8eBcwr2E&feature=PlayList&p=E69B52CEFAF7048C&index=2 Link to comment
Hobby Dreamer Posted September 14, 2009 Author Share Posted September 14, 2009 Hi Guys.. Here is some info on putting a DCC decoder and lights into a Tomytec Portram: http://66.249.91.132/translate_c?hl=en&sl=de&u=http://www.mtkb.de/Umbau/Kato_Tomytec.htm&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dkato%2Bunitram%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26hs%3DIFn%26sa%3DN%26start%3D20&rurl=translate.google.ca&usg=ALkJrhg225ixx-SdHHyu1T1tU5LlFTCxYg Cheers Rick Link to comment
Martijn Meerts Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 Google doesn't seem to be very good at translating German to English =) Link to comment
Hobby Dreamer Posted September 20, 2009 Author Share Posted September 20, 2009 Now that some of you have received your Tomytec Portram trams, how are they? Any issues? Are they making you want to by more? Do you plan to make trams a bigger part of your layout Link to comment
Martijn Meerts Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 I haven't run them yet, no layout ;) If it comes to looks, they look real nice. Obviously the entire interior is gone after installing the motor unit. Need to add headlights (and possibly taillights) at some point as well. I already have the other 4 bodies on order (no motor units this time), and I recently also got the special storage case, which stores 8 trams. The funny thing is that the 8th "slot" is filled with a non-painted body ;) Link to comment
serenityFan Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 Argh ... mine still hasn't arrived from hwjapan. This is what happens when I try to save money and ship SAL Link to comment
Bernard Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 Argh ... mine still hasn't arrived from hwjapan. This is what happens when I try to save money and ship SAL Mine hasn't arrived either, but I knew it would take longer to ship. Is there anyway to track SAL? Link to comment
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