Japanese H0 locomotive for switching layouts

[lighthouse]

Hello folks,

I'm in the process of changing the scale for a model railway layout in the apartment. In the long run, using long trains will not be feasible. Rather, I can only use them at model railway exhibitions with the IG-Nippon.

The US model railroaders also like to build so-called switching layouts. I may want to take up this idea in order to have a minimum of model railroading. But since I would like to continue with the Japanese railway in H0, but have no idea about the rolling stock, I have a crucial question.

 

I would like to consider the Kato DE10, but what other alternatives do I have since the DE10 is currently unavailable? The period of presentation is not yet forced, but will be somewhere in the mid-80s and 90s. I've also seen a few Tramway models on Hobby-Search, like the DD13 or DD16. Can someone please tell me more about these models? How smooth is the running and starting? Is there also the possibility of digitization?

Greetings, Ulli

[bill937ca]

Judging by HS most of the Japanese diesel models available are either Tomix DF50 or DD51.

 

https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10751672

 

https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10751670

 

https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10683775

 

https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10683774

 

Some DF50 history. Not sure of the end date for DF50s, but it is definitely before the end of JR less than car load freight in 1987.

 

https://gold.ap.teacup.com/line/562.html

 

http://ef586169.cocolog-nifty.com/blog/2018/06/post-b165.html

 

[disturbman]

DF50 and DD51 are main line locomotives, not switchers.

 

@lighthouse why not make a switching layout in N?

[lighthouse]

1 hour ago, disturbman said:

why not make a switching layout in N?

 

I was thinking about modeling a switching layout in N scale. But my mind said, it´s too tiny and leight. My eyes aren´t the best and i have a little bit problems with smaller part´s because of the sausage fingers 😅

 

OK, seriously.
I would like to move away from the small scale and gain experience. The details on larger models are of course even better, but the higher prices hold me back from bulk buying, which some people have probably succumbed to, not just me.

[Kamome]

DF50s were generally retired by 1983 and as @disturbman mentioned, they are not switching locomotives. The Kato DE10 is a good bet for DCC conversion and they're relatively cheap and easy to get hold of on the second hand market. I have the JRF version and its gearing is reliable and slow crawling, if not a little growly compared to my other HO locos. 

 

I'd certainly consider a DD13 as a good option. I think Tramway have good mechanisms but not sure about DCC simplicity. Rails of Sheffield ebay site have a brown one currently. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/203108704586 Around 180 Euros.

 

Another alternative is something like the Toshiba 40T ED29 from Tenshodo. Its an electric loco but could make an interesting industrial switching scene. They're not too expensive and they produce an unpainted version if you wanted to create your own industry but might need some wiggle room in your time period.

 

https://models-store.tenshodo.co.jp/Brand/Form/Product/plastics/40t/

 

I don't think you need to worry about bulk buying if you are planning a switching layout. You could build up as you go. Kato and Tomix HO rolling stock tends to hang around reasonably well. In Japanese outlets anyway, there is still good stock of wamus, takis and toras for shunting. If you want Kokis, some stockists still have but the JNR Koki 50000 from Tomix sold through pretty quickly. All are easy to switch out to Kadee couplers for shunting/switching.

 

If you're looking for a more accurate industry switcher, World Crafts recently produced the small JNR era Hitachi 15T switcher diesel locos or a year or so ago the Kyosan 20T. The World Craft locos are pricey though and I have no clue as to how well they take a decoder.

 

Edited February 1, 2022 by Kamome
Updated information

[marknewton]

Hello Lighthouse,

 

I have examples of all the locos mentioned by Kamome so far - Kato DE10, Tramway DD13 and DD16, and Tenshodo Toshiba 40-ton steeplecab. The DE10s have an 8-pin decoder receptacle already installed. All you need to do is remove the blanking plugs and insert a decoder. Mine have TCS decoders, and run very smoothly and quietly. 
 

I'm currently away from home for work, but when I get back I can tell you more about the other model locos and what's necessary for DCC installation.

 

As far as freight cars go, there's a lot of choice in both ready-to-run and kits. Are you thinking of a specific industry for your layout, or a small general yard? Either way, I'd suggest modelling pre-1987 carload freight era for the variety of traffic and freight car types that were in use. 
 

All the best,

 

Mark.

[lighthouse]

@marknewton

 

I can wait for more informations till you´re back at home.

 

I´m thinking about a small indrustry yard for paper work, wich you could find around the country in the showa-era. Some car types of WaMu, ToRa, TaKi, KoKi etc.

Yes, the pre-1987 is the best way for modelling in H0-scale after looking for cars and loco´s. Thank you for the information. 🙂

[Nick_Burman]

On 2/1/2022 at 5:52 PM, marknewton said:

I have examples of all the locos mentioned by Kamome so far - Kato DE10, Tramway DD13 and DD16, and Tenshodo Toshiba 40-ton steeplecab. The DE10s have an 8-pin decoder receptacle already installed. All you need to do is remove the blanking plugs and insert a decoder. Mine have TCS decoders, and run very smoothly and quietly. 

 

I have one of the Tenshodo (made by Bachmann) Toshiba 40ton locos. It is a sweet runner just out of the box and comes with an 8 pin blanking strip, so converting to DCC is a breeze. @lighthouse, one of these locos plus a bunch of Wamuhachis (WaMu 80000 and 380000), TaKis and KoKis would render itself very nicely to a Gakunan-style operation.

 

Cheers Nicholas