Meitetsu 512

[Dick H]

This is an N scale model I built from scratch. Most of the parts were made from odds and ends you can buy at Green Max, a model store in Tokyo. There are several around the city. They have lots of side pieces, roofs, building parts, etc. we can buy very cheaply. I was lucky to find sides with the exact window style and shape, but I had to make those unique oval windows.

 

When I made it in the '80s, only 3 or 4 of these cars, built in 1923, were still running through downtown Gifu City near Nagoya. The line started in front of Shin Gifu station, ran on city streets for several miles, then on regular right of way out to Tanigumi. The line closed a few years ago and I suppose the cars were scrapped. I hope they saved at least one.

 

It was quite a ride, taking at least 1/2 hour. After the city streets it crossed a large river on a bridge with regular cars and we could see Gifu castle perched atop a hill in the distance. Then it turned off the street and ran through farmland. Once, the conductor pointed out a "station" (a sign and a bench) where the train stopped only twice per day. They also carried piles of newspapers to drop off at various stations.

 

This was a branch of the large Nagoya Railway, nicknamed Meitetsu. Where do they get Meitetsu? Nagoya is made up of 3 kanji. Another pronunciation of the first kanji, Na, is Mei. Tetsu is short for tetsudo (Iron road). That's your Japanese lesson for July.:)

 

[marknewton]

Very nice work, Dick!

 

There is at least one of these cars preserved that I'm aware of, I remember seeing a short article in JRM a while back. I love these cars - when Tomix released their HO scale models of these cars I could hardly wait to get my hands on one. I wound up buying four, two in the overall red livery, and two in the later red & white. The Tomix models are absolutely first rate, I hope that the forthcoming Kotoden cars are of the same standard.

 

Cheers,

 

Mark.

[Dick H]

Thanks Mark. I have video of the ride out to Tanigumi. It shows the newspapers and a terrific thunderstorm that wiped out the signalling system. Someday I hope to get it onto a DVD from the VHS tape I shot in the '80s.