bill937ca Posted November 27, 2009 Share Posted November 27, 2009 The Kato Unitram Starter Set and the Unitram are now in stock at HS. These items are not listed on HWJ yet. http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10100316 http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10100318 http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/image/10100316b/30/1 http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/image/10100316b4/30/4 Red Portram http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/image/10100318a5/20/5 http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/image/10100318a4/20/4 Link to comment
David Posted November 27, 2009 Share Posted November 27, 2009 I saw that this morning. The starter set got sold out instantly. Unfortunately the single unit Kato is selling at this point is the red one, which I wouldn't buy seperately since I'd get it with the starter set eventually. Hopefully the strong sales will mean Kato will keep to schedule in releasing the other colors and the track only set (along with restocking the starter) in good quantities. Link to comment
bill937ca Posted November 27, 2009 Share Posted November 27, 2009 Generally HS restocks new items that immediately sell out in 7-14 days. Link to comment
cteno4 Posted November 27, 2009 Share Posted November 27, 2009 Hobbyworld had all these for preorder, but usually once the preorder date passes they remove the listing until the item is released and they have it in stock. its odd, just like the layout of their website, but they had a great preorder price of 13320 yen. still wondering what the shipping weight will be for the track set! cheers jeff Link to comment
bill937ca Posted November 27, 2009 Share Posted November 27, 2009 Hobbyworld had all these for preorder, but usually once the preorder date passes they remove the listing until the item is released and they have it in stock. its odd, just like the layout of their website, but they had a great preorder price of 13320 yen. still wondering what the shipping weight will be for the track set! cheers jeff Hobbyworld also seems to hold back orders once payment is received and ships out of Nagoya guaranteeing slow shipment. How many international flights are there out of Nagoya? Link to comment
cteno4 Posted November 27, 2009 Share Posted November 27, 2009 Yes this is the big draw back of hobbyworld (other than the funky web site structure), their shipping is slower. if you are in a hurry hobbyworld is not for you! especially if you do ems! personally im rarely in a big hurry for items and can stand the wait as the extra 10-20% off on a lot of pre-order things and also reduced shipping costs doing SAL really mean i can get a lot more for my train $$! cheers jeff Link to comment
David Posted November 28, 2009 Share Posted November 28, 2009 http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/image/10100318a4/20/4 I saw that photo earlier today when I was on Hobby Seach, it makes it nice and clear how much floor clearance vs. hidden mechanism there is. Certainly better then the TomyTec version (at twice the price!) especially with all the factory installed lighting, though the area at the doors is a bit of a let down (of course to make and manufacturer a mechanism that didn't have visible workings at the front or center doors would have at least doubled the price again). Link to comment
westfalen Posted November 28, 2009 Share Posted November 28, 2009 http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/image/10100318a4/20/4 I saw that photo earlier today when I was on Hobby Seach, it makes it nice and clear how much floor clearance vs. hidden mechanism there is. Certainly better then the TomyTec version (at twice the price!) especially with all the factory installed lighting, though the area at the doors is a bit of a let down (of course to make and manufacturer a mechanism that didn't have visible workings at the front or center doors would have at least doubled the price again). Makes me wonder where I'm going to put a decoder though. Link to comment
David Posted November 28, 2009 Share Posted November 28, 2009 Makes me wonder where I'm going to put a decoder though. I'm wondering how open the articulated space in the middle is. If it's got the same height clearance as the rest of the car, I think you could hide a Z scale decoder in there, and camouflage any wires by adding passengers. Alternatively you could put the decoder in an upright position in the center of the front or back, and place lots of passengers on either side to obscure it (packed car). Link to comment
westfalen Posted November 28, 2009 Share Posted November 28, 2009 Makes me wonder where I'm going to put a decoder though. I'm wondering how open the articulated space in the middle is. If it's got the same height clearance as the rest of the car, I think you could hide a Z scale decoder in there, and camouflage any wires by adding passengers. Alternatively you could put the decoder in an upright position in the center of the front or back, and place lots of passengers on either side to obscure it (packed car). I was thinking of a small decoder high up against the roof where it wouldn't be to noticeable at normal viewing angles and run the wires down in the centre of the car. Will have to wait and see what it's like when I pull one apart. Link to comment
bill937ca Posted November 28, 2009 Share Posted November 28, 2009 I'm wondering how open the articulated space in the middle is. If it's got the same height clearance as the rest of the car, I think you could hide a Z scale decoder in there, and camouflage any wires by adding passengers. Put a decoder in there and the car may not be able to go around curves. Link to comment
nekomo Posted November 29, 2009 Share Posted November 29, 2009 The Pro-Z Starter set by Tokyo Marui + 1x train + 1x trafo was around 6 Kg weight and I paid 10000 Yens for a SAL parcel from Japan to Spain. So, I belive it would be more or less the same this time. still wondering what the shipping weight will be for the track set! cheers jeff Link to comment
David Posted December 1, 2009 Share Posted December 1, 2009 Plaza Japan has it up for sale ($75 shipping by EMS, same cost as a standard Kato Starter Set) http://cgi.ebay.com/UNITRAM-Starter-Set-with-PORTRAM-Tram-Red-Kato-40-900_W0QQitemZ120500362262QQcmdZViewItemQQptZModel_RR_Trains?hash=item1c0e619c16 You'll want to look at this listing as plaza has lots of pictures of what you get in the box. One interesting thing is that the track itself comes inside a smaller box inside the big one - this is probably the same box as the upcoming track only set. Link to comment
cteno4 Posted December 1, 2009 Share Posted December 1, 2009 One of the JRM members just got his set and thinks the track box is not all that heavy. hopefully its under like 1600g and can come sal for $20 and not ems for $50! he has not yet put it together, but says it looks nice and sturdy. it comes with a backdrop that you can fold up around the center section of the loop if you dont have buildings to fill that space. cheers jeff Link to comment
DarkStar Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 Plaza Japan just posted the standalone Kato Red Portram for $98 + $15 for EMS shipping to the U.S.: http://cgi.ebay.com/Tram-PORTRAM-TLR0601-Red-Kato-14-801-1_W0QQitemZ200412753964QQcmdZViewItemQQptZModel_RR_Trains?hash=item2ea987f02c Can't wait to get one! Hopefully right after Christmas! Link to comment
westfalen Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 Mine is on the way from Hobby World, SAL to Australia 7300 Yen ($90AUD), about $375 altogether, probably still cheaper than what they will eventually be available for here. Unfortunately you have to pay for shipping all the empty space in that large box. Link to comment
Concept Model Trains Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 Mine is on the way from Hobby World, SAL to Australia 7300 Yen ($90AUD), about $375 altogether, probably still cheaper than what they will eventually be available for here. Unfortunately you have to pay for shipping all the empty space in that large box. I decided on Hobby World for my Unitram. Like you I found the shipping cost to Australia was more then I expected. I'm sure it will be worth it. Link to comment
cteno4 Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 One of the jrm members just got his unitram kits and just posted a short article and some picts. talk a look at his buildings he is really getting into detailing them, see how many people you can find INSIDE the buildings! cheers jeff http://www.japanrailmodelers.org/pages/modelingjapan/unitram.html Link to comment
westfalen Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 10 or 12 buildings to fill it. Darn, there goes more money. Link to comment
nekomo Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 Thanks for that link, Jeff. Looking forward to receving my Unitram. And one question, the only option to build a biggest track now (or this month) would be to buy the V50 set, wouldn't it? Link to comment
Bernard Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 Jeff - Thanks for providing us with the link. Does Curt have the actual dimensions in feet and inches for the layout (or mm)? Also there have been some questions as to where you could fit a decoder in the Portram, does Curt or you see where it is possible? Link to comment
cteno4 Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 Ill ask curt for good dimensions on the layout. dont think he has poked inside, not sure if he will do that right away, he is not a tearer aparter right away unless there is trouble. also not dcc right now so not that much interest to him and he has no experience with the needs, but ill drop him a note. i do think he will people his pretty quickly! jeff Link to comment
to2leo Posted December 4, 2009 Author Share Posted December 4, 2009 I got my starter set last Friday in Tokyo when it was released. I will try to post some pictures tonight. Link to comment
Guest ___ Posted December 5, 2009 Share Posted December 5, 2009 I got my starter set last Friday in Tokyo when it was released. I will try to post some pictures tonight. Looking forward to the pix to finally get to see this set. It's been a big story lately. Link to comment
to2leo Posted December 5, 2009 Author Share Posted December 5, 2009 Hi guys, As promised, here are the images I took tonight. Let me know if you have requests, I will try to fulfill them. Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now