Trains and Their Routes

[Krackel Hopper]

hey hey,

 

I am wondering if anyone knows a good source to find info on what trains run where?

 

I was recently surprised with a Kato EF65 Rainbow Livery, so I need the train now.  I know the Rainbow Express ran in JR East, but that's about it.

 

In order to not go completely broke, I am still considering picking a line/region/period to keep me from buying everything from everywhere in every era.

 

If there were a place I could easily gather this info, it would be much easier than every time I see a train to come asking on the boards for the details surrounding it.  If anyone knows such a place, would you kindly point me in the right direction?

 

Thanks,

Jon

[scott]

You could look at the JNSwiki pages for each of the JR companies (JR East, JR Hokkaido, I think there are some others  )--they often list train services run by the company.

 

In order to not go completely broke, I am still considering picking a line/region/period to keep me from buying everything from everywhere in every era.

 

I'm belatedly trying the same thing, but it seems like a good idea; I'm trying to focus on northern Honshu. Now if I could just stop looking at all the cool exceptions.....

[bikkuri bahn]

According to the Japanese wikipedia entry, the Super Express Rainbow ran from 1987 to 2000 as a "joyful train" (special event/chartered train).  It was based out of Omiya, and as it was normally pulled by a EF65, ranged in JR East's DC electrified territory.  The EF65 rainbow livery locos were at times assigned to pull the joyful train "Yutori" as well as the overnight sleeper express "Ginga".

 

*I recommend narrowing your model parameters.  Focusing on a period/line/region not only saves money, but it provides (IMO) in the long run a more satisfying modeling experience, as it focuses your research.  You may even become an authority on the topic! Another thing- I find layouts with a specific focus or based on a specific prototype tend to be better in general appearance than an "anything goes" layout- perhaps because they are more "believable".

[Lawrence]

Jon, try http://www.jrtr.net/operators/index_operators.html for some initial info