How do I arrange train sets?

[bc6]

Im pretty sure there's a post in this topic but I'm not sure how to search for it 

 

How do I number train sets like the Kato Chuo-Sobu set 10-1912/13 in the correct order as the prototype. I know there are individual numbers that you can affix to the bottom of the car where can I find those.

 

I'm venturing to guess that the instruction manual has something to do with the prototypical car order. I have not had a chance to look at it yet that's why I'm asking.

 

Thanks 

[cteno4]

Yes instructions usually give you that info on car order. I use to cheat and then just put little round stickers on the bottoms of cars to indicate order and direction [if couplers didnt do that for you.]. You can indicate direction by the orientation of the number on the sticker [ie if you hold the car upside down in front of you then you always rotate the car down on the tracks in a single direction when putting them on the tracks like rotating the roof towards you.]

 

someone in our club put the numbers on the foam insert and was just careful to put them in and out of the case in order, but this was easy to screw up if you got distracted, but then you dint have a little sticker on the bottom of your cars.

 

jeff

[bc6]

Thanks, Jeff I'll be numbering that set tonight.

[cteno4]

I used those tiny dots like 3/8” diameter and just found a flat bit on the car to push it onto. Ive lost a few when they sometimes rub on the foam. Ive always meant to go back and figure out a better solution of where to put numbering but I've never gotten to it and im not all that concerned if i screw up now and then or order or orientation, but i do know it pains some a lot.

 

jeff

[bc6]

I use the dots to tell me which trains have decoders in them or not. I know what you mean when you lose a dot it drove me nuts not knowing what cars had a decoder or not. I'm going to give it a shot and see how it goes. I may take the numbering of trains cars to an extreme or not.

Edited yesterday at 05:07 PM by bc6

[bill937ca]

Check the Hobby Search listing for that info. Probably as a image.  Or check the manufacturers site. Again probably as an image showing which car has the motor.

[bc6]

Thanks Bill I did exactly that and went to the Kato website and found the instruction manual for my set thanks.

Edited 22 hours ago by bc6

[200系]

If you take a closer look at your model, you'll find the car number annotation on the right side of the car, next to the 4th (aft, as seen from the 1st car), just above the priority seat/wheelchair access pictograms and below the upper yellow band. Connect them all from 1 to 10, just make sure to keep the car number annotations and pictograms on the right side of all the cars (as seen from car no.1), and you got the prototypical formation, easy peasy...

[bc6]

Thanks 200 I will whip out the magnifyer and take a closer look at the cars and number then according to the included instructions. I hope the set comes with the sticky numbers to put on the bottom of the cars lol. I appreciate you replying to my question.

[cteno4]

Yeah a lot of the time I’m putting trains out at shows and funky lighting, in a hurry, and my close eye site is not as good as it use to be so i went to the stickers to cheat. 

 

Jeff

[bc6]

Does anyone have a source for stickers that I can use on my commuter cars?

[Kingmeow]

You can use wire number labels.  Available from Amazon or at Home Depot for the same price.

 

Wire number labels

 

But if you have time to kill and have access to a Brother P-Touch machine you can make your own and cut them out into pieces.  I find the (genuine) P-Touch labels stick very well and does not leave behind any adhesive residue when removed even a long time later.  Another Japanese innovation.  😁

Edited 3 hours ago by Kingmeow

[bc6]

Those are exactly what I'm looking for thank you, I do have a P-Touch at work that I may run a test sample on and see how they come out. Using the P-Touch would never have crossed my mind to use for this application thanks again.

[Kingmeow]

12 minutes ago, bc6 said:

Those are exactly what I'm looking for thank you, I do have a P-Touch at work that I may run a test sample on and see how they come out. Using the P-Touch would never have crossed my mind to use for this application thanks again.

 

P-Touch 9mm or 3/8" works well with N-Scale.  Often I make a TON of my three letter name initials and stick it on the fuel tanks (US locomotives) as I run them at train shows.  Used more for identification mix-ups rather than theft deterrent as other modelers may have the same equipment.

 

Now that I'm starting to gather more Japanese equipment there's not much need for that as I'm the only guy running Japanese trains at shows.  🤣🤣🤣

 

Recently I added a "F" (using P-Touch) underneath the front truck of a newly acquired EF510 as the "1" and "2" to indicate which is forward on the shell is impossible to see with my naked eyes.  The "F" on US locomotives is easier to see and 98% of them have safety cabs so you know which is front.

Edited 3 hours ago by Kingmeow

[bc6]

When you say 9mm or 3/8 what are you referring to?

 

This makes want to invest in a P-Touch which one do you have?

 

That's a great use for the P-Touch I could use it for identifying which locomotives had decoders or not. Theft deterrent is a good use for the machine also. 

 

Since you're the only guy running Japanese trains there's no mix up lol untill others start liking Japanese trains also lol.

 

That's another great ideal for using the P-Touch, I never wanted to go back to work so quickly lol.

 

[cteno4]

Interesting i never thought of the Ptouch labels. But smaller font for just doing numbering like that would be easy and could use a hole punch to make a dot easily. They do stick better and are thinner than the usual Avery dot stickers and dont have to try to write cleanly tiny. Going to have to experiment with that.

 

could also do black with white letters to make the labels blend in a bit better on the usual black underbody stuff or black on gray.

 

do you just use a tip of an xacto to peel off the backing?

 

jeff