Modular Clubs in Japan?

[Bernard]

This is something I've been wonder and I keep forgetting to ask. We all know that space is precious in Japan and a lot of modelers there don't have permanent layout, one of the main reasons for Fast & Unitrack.

Having said that, are there Modular clubs in Japan? Something similar to the Japanese Rail Modelers of DC, or Kia's club does in Germany, or any of the NTRAK clubs in the USA, where members make a modular section that can be pieced together with other sections to make a large layout and are shown at exhibitions.

[bikkuri bahn]

There certainly are.  Here are a couple:

 

http://nmlc.hp.infoseek.co.jp/module.htm  (in Niigata)

 

http://www.geocities.jp/jmlc_hq/index.html  (a Tokyo based club)

[westfalen]

T-TRAK originated in Japan and I recall a Japanese variation of N-TRAK called JANTRAK.

[bikkuri bahn]

Not a club, but an individual who has built numerous modules to JANTRAK standards:

 

http://tamatetsu.com/

 

some examples of work:

 

http://tamatetsu.com/TAMATETSU1.html

 

http://tamatetsu.com/JMLC1.html

[Martijn Meerts]

http://tamatetsu.com/TAMATETSU1.html

 

I quite like the trackplan for this one, that's a rather nice exhibition layout.

[bikkuri bahn]

http://tamatetsu.com/TAMATETSU1.html

 

I quite like the trackplan for this one, that's a rather nice exhibition layout.

 

Yes, I like the station layout, which is the standard 3 platform affair (2 mainline tracks and 1 auxiliary track) plus bays, which was common for intermediate stations serving larger towns.

[cteno4]

T-TRAK originated in Japan and I recall a Japanese variation of N-TRAK called JANTRAK.

 

Actually created by an American lady, Lee Fitzgerald when she was in japan as something that was more portable than nTrak (which was just starting to get into japan) for more space constrained japanese. idea was could they do something on a piece of A4 sized craft board with unitrak. Idea was to do tiny scenes and focus more on trams and light rail. then when it hit the US they ended up supersizing it to run big equipment on mini ntrak modules... most japanese seem to stick to doing trams and light rail and not huge trains on their ttrak.

 

cheers

 

jeff

[westfalen]

T-TRAK originated in Japan and I recall a Japanese variation of N-TRAK called JANTRAK.

 

Actually created by an American lady, Lee Fitzgerald when she was in japan as something that was more portable than nTrak (which was just starting to get into japan) for more space constrained japanese. idea was could they do something on a piece of A4 sized craft board with unitrak. Idea was to do tiny scenes and focus more on trams and light rail. then when it hit the US they ended up supersizing it to run big equipment on mini ntrak modules... most japanese seem to stick to doing trams and light rail and not huge trains on their ttrak.

 

cheers

 

jeff

I should have said the inspiration for T-TRAK originated in Japan.

[Bernard]

Does anybody know how or the proper procedure in contacting these clubs? I've already written an email to one as an introduction.

 

Aaron one stated about getting Japanese members here and this might be a way to open the door, through the modular clubs. I have a feeling that a lot of Japanese modelers don't know English but I think it's worth a try.

If you want to PM with contact info or just post it here I'd appreciate it.

[westfalen]

Does anybody know how or the proper procedure in contacting these clubs? I've already written an email to one as an introduction.

 

Aaron one stated about getting Japanese members here and this might be a way to open the door, through the modular clubs. I have a feeling that a lot of Japanese modelers don't know English but I think it's worth a try.

If you want to PM with contact info or just post it here I'd appreciate it.

That would be interesting, I've noticed most participants on Japanese modeling forums are 'foreigners' to Japan, it would be interesting to have a true Japanese view on things and maybe a bit of inside information on what's happening over there.

 

I was in Taiwan in May with a group of Aussie railfans that have also frequented Japan and it seemed to us that more locals spoke English to us than in Japan, we had a theory that even though English has been taught in Japanese schools for years most are afraid to speak it for fear of being embarrassed if they are not perfect where the Taiwanese were more willing to give it a go.

[Bernard]

 

That would be interesting, I've noticed most participants on Japanese modeling forums are 'foreigners' to Japan, it would be interesting to have a true Japanese view on things and maybe a bit of inside information on what's happening over there.

 

I was in Taiwan in May with a group of Aussie railfans that have also frequented Japan and it seemed to us that more locals spoke English to us than in Japan, we had a theory that even though English has been taught in Japanese schools for years most are afraid to speak it for fear of being embarrassed if they are not perfect where the Taiwanese were more willing to give it a go.

I've already have sent out a few letters to Japanese clubs as an introduction to this forum. I agree that I also believe it has a lot to do with using English and being embarrassed. I once had to interview a Japanese figure skater who understood all my questions in English but would only answer in Japanese.

Lets see if any responses come from the letters.