Tomix 500 Series - do they mix?

[Welshbloke]

Hi all, wondering if anyone can answer a question I've been puzzling over for a while. I have a Tomix 92082 (the three car basic pack for the 500 Series Shinkansen) that I bought from a shop where it appeared to have been hanging around for a while. Unfortunately I can't find anywhere that still has the matching extension packs 92083/4 and the extra coaches 2872 and 2876, result being a "funsize" shinkansen.

 

I have found stock of the updated version on www.1999.co.jp, which is still listing 92308 (equivelent to 92084) and 8836 (equivelent to 2876). Can anyone say whether the colours will be a perfect match with my older model? Will the flywheel drive in the newer power car "fight" with the non-flywheel motor in my existing one? The couplings appear identical but I'd rather not order the extras and then find they don't match my existing stock.

[Welshbloke]

An update: They do mix. Anyone with an old Tomix 500 series can safely buy the new coaches to extend it.

 

I found a 2876 powered car at Hobbysearch, giving me a four car set with twin motors. Then I saw someone listing an 8835 (the single unpowered additional coach) on ebay, and as it was reasonably cheap including postage I decided to have a bid. I won it, it arrived this morning, and the colours, couplings, and ride height are a perfect match for the older stock. Obviously it does have the door windows at the ends but this isn't too noticable a difference, and if I can get hold of three spare glazing mouldings I can retrofit them to my older coaches.

[Bernard]

Welshbloke - Would you mind posting photos of the two sets?

[Welshbloke]

No problem - I shall take some tomorrow.

 

I don't have two complete sets. What I have is the 92083 (older 500 Series basic pack), 2876 (older 500 Series second motor coach) and 8835 (newer 500 Series 526/528 unpowered coach).

 

I'll be ordering more coaches when funds allow. The other three 8835s will be a lot less than the add-on pack A, so I may just buy those for now. It already looks much better than its "funsize" beginnings, even with only five cars!

[Welshbloke]

Here you go - some close-ups to show how they match:

 

 

Original 92082 driving coach on the left, 8835 on the right

 

 

8835 to the left, original 92082 powered coach on the right

 

 

Finally, the other powered coach (2876)

[Bernard]

Thanks for the photos and they do match up.

The paint scheme is very different from the Kato version with the couplers. The kato cars are just grey.

[Welshbloke]

I've not had a close look at one of the Kato ones - I would have bought the Kato set with it if I didn't already have this one. As I understand it the prototype has full width gangways, which Tomix did a pretty decent job of simulating.

 

It's running at the moment, unfortunately the two power cars are not in sync. The newer one is faster and fights the original at lower speeds. It's also a lot noisier, so if I ever find my leftover tube of Tamiya grease I'll put a dab in each truck. I suspect the fact that the original power car has been lubed makes it a little slower but a lot smoother and quieter.

[ChrisV]

I revcd and email from Hobby search etc stating that Tomix have re-issued the extension sets for this series.

 

You should have no issues finding cars around.

 

They look fine btw.

[Welshbloke]

Yes, I noticed that Set A is now listed as "Restock". One of those and the other three 8835s would be pretty impressive!

 

Does anyone else have 8835s, and did yours come with coach number decals? Mine came with nothing whatsoever (sold as used but like new, the coach is mint). The same seller has listed another which I may well bid on, but obviously if they should come with a decal sheet then I need to buy at least one brand new from Hobbysearch.