Steam locomotives - KATO 10-1727 C58 Hitoyoshi vs Tomix 2009 C58-239

[Shinjinkun]

Hi guys!

Up until now, I didn't have a single Steam locomotive. However, a few days ago I got the Kato Hitoyoshi set.

I was thinking if it makes sense to buy the announced set from Tomix (2009) that also has a C58 loco. Do you know what are the differences between the two? Is it possible to run the TOMIX 98522 SL Galaxy formation using the Kato from the Hitoyoshi set? I suppose the problem should be in the couplers, right?

I have been thinking also about getting the Tomix 2010, that has a C55. I suppose there should be some differences with the C58, but at first glance, they look almost the same. Are there any differences?

Thanks!

 

[bill937ca]

Yasuki Toyosawa is probably the ultimate source on Japanese steam locomotives.

 

Kato

http://www5a.biglobe.ne.jp/~toyoyasu/kcat_1.htm

http://www5a.biglobe.ne.jp/~toyoyasu/kcat_9.htm  C58 on this page.

Tomix

http://www5a.biglobe.ne.jp/~toyoyasu/tcat_1.htm

http://www5a.biglobe.ne.jp/~toyoyasu/tcat_1.htm C58 here, but not much info as it no released yet.

News

http://www5a.biglobe.ne.jp/~toyoyasu/index.htm

 

In Google Chrome you can right click to translate.

[Skasaha]

They're actually different locomotives. SL Hitoyoshi uses an 8620-class and SL Ginga has the C58. They're not too different but the C58 is 20-odd years newer, basically the replacement model.

 

I had a squiz at that SL Ginga set from Tomix on the preorder pages and the loco looks like it has the same coupler outfit as Kato's SL Hitoyoshi - knuckle on front and Arnold on the back. I don't have many (yet), but this seems pretty common. The ones I bought from Kato with this layout also came with replacement couplers too.

 

Also second using Toyosawa's website, it's invaluable for any Japanese steam fan.

 

 

Edit: As for running either one with different locomotives - these two are both specific, currently preserved trains with unique rolling stock (although both have been cancelled, sadly). SL Hitoyoshi has its refurbished 50 series carriages (which are a tad too recent for steam even if they were normal ones) and SL Ginga pulls old diesel railcar versions of 50 series carriages, also pretty heavily modified. So it'd be a bit weird with those carriages to have a different loco, if someone knew them and was paying attention.

 

But most classes of steam train operated everywhere, so other than than running numbers and both of these loco models representing the loco as they exist today rather than historically, the locos themselves wouldn't look out of place with any other rolling stock.

Edited March 28, 2023 by Skasaha

[Kamome]

As a general rule:

 

It’s your railway, you can run what you like.

 

As regards to couplers, the majority of rolling stock tends to ship with rapido couplers fitted and there are a wealth of alternative options available from pretty much all of the main manufacturers. There are some compatibility issues across the manufacturer’s couplers but rapidos are, in theory anyway, supposed to be a standard.

 

As with every other countries models, there are sometimes subtle inaccuracies with shape and coupler height across manufacturer’s rapidos which can make certain combinations uncouple easily or not couple at all. This is usually case by case but most couplers can be switched out for other manufacturers versions, sometimes with a little modification. 

 

(For me personally the size of rapido coupler, especially Tomix, and distance between each item of rolling stock has led me to replace all of my loco hauled stock with knuckle couplers. I tend to favour the Kato knuckle due to the majority of my stock being Kato. I have had to modify my Tomix and Microace locos to take a Kato knuckle but this has meant little to no issues with coupling or accidental uncoupling.)

[Shinjinkun]

On 3/27/2023 at 8:50 PM, bill937ca said:

Yasuki Toyosawa is probably the ultimate source on Japanese steam locomotives.

 

Kato

http://www5a.biglobe.ne.jp/~toyoyasu/kcat_1.htm

http://www5a.biglobe.ne.jp/~toyoyasu/kcat_9.htm  C58 on this page.

Tomix

http://www5a.biglobe.ne.jp/~toyoyasu/tcat_1.htm

http://www5a.biglobe.ne.jp/~toyoyasu/tcat_1.htm C58 here, but not much info as it no released yet.

News

http://www5a.biglobe.ne.jp/~toyoyasu/index.htm

 

In Google Chrome you can right click to translate.

 

Thanks for the url's! They are definitely interesting 🙂

 

22 hours ago, Skasaha said:

They're actually different locomotives. SL Hitoyoshi uses an 8620-class and SL Ginga has the C58. They're not too different but the C58 is 20-odd years newer, basically the replacement model.

 

I had a squiz at that SL Ginga set from Tomix on the preorder pages and the loco looks like it has the same coupler outfit as Kato's SL Hitoyoshi - knuckle on front and Arnold on the back. I don't have many (yet), but this seems pretty common. The ones I bought from Kato with this layout also came with replacement couplers too.

 

Also second using Toyosawa's website, it's invaluable for any Japanese steam fan.

 

 

Edit: As for running either one with different locomotives - these two are both specific, currently preserved trains with unique rolling stock (although both have been cancelled, sadly). SL Hitoyoshi has its refurbished 50 series carriages (which are a tad too recent for steam even if they were normal ones) and SL Ginga pulls old diesel railcar versions of 50 series carriages, also pretty heavily modified. So it'd be a bit weird with those carriages to have a different loco, if someone knew them and was paying attention.

 

But most classes of steam train operated everywhere, so other than than running numbers and both of these loco models representing the loco as they exist today rather than historically, the locos themselves wouldn't look out of place with any other rolling stock.

 

Cheers, that's what I was looking for. In my case, is not that I am a huge fan of SL, but as in my collection only had shinkansen types, I thought maybe having something different would be a good idea 🙂

 

20 hours ago, Kamome said:

As a general rule:

 

It’s your railway, you can run what you like.

 

As regards to couplers, the majority of rolling stock tends to ship with rapido couplers fitted and there are a wealth of alternative options available from pretty much all of the main manufacturers. There are some compatibility issues across the manufacturer’s couplers but rapidos are, in theory anyway, supposed to be a standard.

 

As with every other countries models, there are sometimes subtle inaccuracies with shape and coupler height across manufacturer’s rapidos which can make certain combinations uncouple easily or not couple at all. This is usually case by case but most couplers can be switched out for other manufacturers versions, sometimes with a little modification. 

 

(For me personally the size of rapido coupler, especially Tomix, and distance between each item of rolling stock has led me to replace all of my loco hauled stock with knuckle couplers. I tend to favour the Kato knuckle due to the majority of my stock being Kato. I have had to modify my Tomix and Microace locos to take a Kato knuckle but this has meant little to no issues with coupling or accidental uncoupling.)

 

I thought as much, that there should be a way to couple different branded carriages... anyway, I'd probably keep the original formations if possible. Thanks 😄