Bandai B-Train Shorty

[disturbman]

You should hunt these on YJA (now JDirectItems Auction), Shorties can still be rather easily found there. Even in full formations sometimes.

I'm putting a browsing link here, you can use a different proxy if you prefer: https://buyee.jp/item/search/query/Bトレインショーティー/category/2084259579?translationType=98

You definitely don't have to put the motor in the head-cabs. A middle car is enough, even on longer formations. Whatever one float your boat. With Japanese MU, motor can be bit anywhere.

You can also swap the couplers for shorter ones if you want. It will make the train look a bit "better".

[Cat]

Mandarake is also a good source.  While listed as 'used', everything I've gotten from there was new in box, just re-sold.  Signing up for 'alerts' for out of stock items there is worthwhile, they get new stuff in.  I have some older alerts that I've never turned off, it's fun seeing some items awaken every so often.
https://order.mandarake.co.jp/order/listPage/list?keyword=b-train shorty&lang=en

[MetalMech]

Awesome thank you for this information. I took a look at it but will check it out more later. Good to know there are some sources. I didn’t finish building mine till this week and enjoyed it so much I really wish I had bought more back when I did when I could get them cheaper.

[cteno4]

I’ll do a basement dive, I have a small handful of shorty kits that I failed to get the second set for and if I have it it’s yours.

 

jeff

[kami_illy]

On 2/8/2025 at 8:35 PM, cteno4 said:

I’ll do a basement dive, I have a small handful of shorty kits that I failed to get the second set for and if I have it it’s yours.

 

jeff

Hi Jeff, 

since you'll go hunting for Shorty stuff in your basement, I might have a request as well... If you happen to have a spare roof for a EF66 (in blue without the AC), I'd be interested 😁 

Best

ilja

[cteno4]

Ill look if i have the ef66, i do remember some locos coming with different roofs. I do keep all the spares parts from shorties and tomytec, at times feeling like a hoarder doing so, but alway think myself or someone may need that later!

 

jeff

[disturbman]

It's a like hoarding. I'm keeping the bogie covers from my Tomytec sets for future, never-going-to-happen projects. I should just bin them. The only part that I have found to have any re-use value for me are coupler springs and radio antena.