NateJ93 Posted January 12, 2019 Share Posted January 12, 2019 Hey y'all, new kid on the block here (I'm actually 25, so technically not a kid). I got bit by the Japanese railroads bug about a year ago when I stumbled across an episode of NHK's "Japan Railway Journal" on YouTube, and I've been hooked ever since. Wanting to expand my interest in this corner of the railfan community, I picked up one of Kato's N scale "Pocket Line" sets at a model train swap meet and some track at a local hobby shop, so my foray into Japanese N scale modeling has officially begun. I'm not modeling a particular place or era, but this layout (Which has yet to be constructed) will be loosely based on pictures of lines in the Omiya and Utsonomiya areas. As this layout will be freelanced, I will be using rolling stock from all places and eras that I find interesting (So expect to see everything from JNR Kiha 40s to JR East E231s). This layout project is currently on hiatus right now due to money being tight and a lack of trains and track pieces at stores and shows. On the non-modeling front, I enjoy watching "Japan Railway Journal" and NHK's other rail-related documentaries as well as various railroad webcams in Japan. I also collect for and run Japanese train models in Microsoft Train Simulator (MSTS) and I have built a few Lego scale models recently (A Kiha 40 and a couple freight cars). I'm surprised how fast I got hooked on Japanese railroads, but I'm glad I did. 2 Link to comment
cteno4 Posted January 12, 2019 Share Posted January 12, 2019 Nate, welcome, glad you found us here! Yep once bitten not many know cures except more trains... no worries you have a start to play some and I think you will find a lot of interesting stuff on the forum and folks to chat with to begin to plan a future. Most all of us started small and it just grew and grew with time. Lots to keep you busy and interested in the mean time and some ways to go economical as well. cheers jeff Link to comment
gavino200 Posted January 12, 2019 Share Posted January 12, 2019 (edited) 36 minutes ago, NateJ93 said: This layout project is currently on hiatus right now due to money being tight and a lack of trains and track pieces at stores and shows. Most people here buy directly from Japan. Some of the most commonly used stores, that are export friendly and completely reliable are the following. https://www.modeltrainplus.net/ https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/rail/ https://www.amiami.com/eng/search/list/?s_cate3=9792 Track is often best bought locally. MBklein has a fairly complete selection of Kato track. https://www.modeltrainstuff.com/layout/track-accessories/#/filter:categories_hierarchy:Track$2520$2526$2520Scenery$253ETrack$2520$2526$2520Accessories$253EUnitrack$2520$2526$2520Unitram/filter:custom_scale:N There's a forum here that deals with various suppliers. You can find it on the homepage. Unfortunately, there's no known cure for the effect that a train addiction has on your wallet. Welcome! Edited January 12, 2019 by gavino200 Link to comment
scotspensioner Posted January 12, 2019 Share Posted January 12, 2019 I can for want of a better word, sympathise.I saw a layout many years ago.Got the catalogues and did nothing.Years later I saw the Yamanote line on YouTube and bought a trial set with an idea for four trains as a try out but going back to 00. I'm now pushing 40 trains! ( And the 00gauge is in store!) From YouTube ,Omiya is fantastic and you've got plenty of scope but I've wandered from Hokaido to Kyushu for trains. Enjoy the ride - it'll be exilirating! Best of luck Link to comment
chadbag Posted January 12, 2019 Share Posted January 12, 2019 Welcome! Just ditto to what the others have said. Link to comment
JR 500系 Posted January 13, 2019 Share Posted January 13, 2019 Welcome Nate! The world of Japanese railway modelling is HUGE, but don't worry, feel free to ask questions as the folks here are really nice and helpful... Have fun! Link to comment
Kiha66 Posted January 13, 2019 Share Posted January 13, 2019 Welcome nate! Sounds like you're off to a good start. Dont worry too much about picking up Japanese trains, they'll come in time and soon enough you'll wonder how you ended up with so many. 2 Link to comment
NateJ93 Posted January 13, 2019 Author Share Posted January 13, 2019 11 hours ago, gavino200 said: Most people here buy directly from Japan. Some of the most commonly used stores, that are export friendly and completely reliable are the following. https://www.modeltrainplus.net/ https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/rail/ https://www.amiami.com/eng/search/list/?s_cate3=9792 Track is often best bought locally. MBklein has a fairly complete selection of Kato track. https://www.modeltrainstuff.com/layout/track-accessories/#/filter:categories_hierarchy:Track$2520$2526$2520Scenery$253ETrack$2520$2526$2520Accessories$253EUnitrack$2520$2526$2520Unitram/filter:custom_scale:N There's a forum here that deals with various suppliers. You can find it on the homepage. Unfortunately, there's no known cure for the effect that a train addiction has on your wallet. Welcome! I've already made a list of the trains I want, and I do plan to purchase them from 1999 (I even double-checked them on the site to make sure they're in stock). I'm only a few pieces short of the necessary track to complete the layout, and the needed pieces I can easily get from any of the N scale dealers that frequent the train shows in the area. Link to comment
serotta1972 Posted January 13, 2019 Share Posted January 13, 2019 Hi Nate, I"m one of those that Kiha66 is referring to - where did all these trains come from? The cool thing about these Japanese train sets is that they come neatly packed in these book style cases so they can be easily organized. I got a varied collection as I have no parameters when I buy trains, I get what looks good to me - let's just say I'm all over Japan and it's just now that I'm learning about the different regions that these trains are coming from. So what happens is that at times I do have buyers remorse and do sell stuff often and it's really to make room for new stuff. If you like, send me your list and I just might have it. I'm just down the coast by the way so shipping is minimal. Welcome to the forum! -Junior 1 Link to comment
railsquid Posted January 13, 2019 Share Posted January 13, 2019 Tip: don't move to Japan, it's like living in one ginormous model railway shop. Don't ask me how I know. But welcome to the forum and all that. 1 Link to comment
Sheffie Posted January 16, 2019 Share Posted January 16, 2019 Hello and welcome! I'm new to the game myself, in that I'm still waiting for my first delivery, but I'm very excited about the possibilities. The people here seem really great, so I hope you stay and enjoy it here :) Link to comment
miyakoji Posted January 16, 2019 Share Posted January 16, 2019 Hi Nate, welcome to the forum! Link to comment
TRod Posted January 22, 2019 Share Posted January 22, 2019 Welcome Nate, newby here also. Lots of info and friendly folk here. I just got back from Japan myself and it's like living in one giant train set. Seriously train heaven. Enjoy. 1 Link to comment
NateJ93 Posted January 23, 2019 Author Share Posted January 23, 2019 16 hours ago, TRod said: Welcome Nate, newby here also. Lots of info and friendly folk here. I just got back from Japan myself and it's like living in one giant train set. Seriously train heaven. Enjoy. Glad to be aboard. I've always wanted to visit there, but I'm living "Paycheck-to-paycheck" right now and sadly can't go on any such trips. Link to comment
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