Tomix N700 shinkansen

[Martijn Meerts]

I picked up my N700 from the post office yesterday, I ordered the full 16-car set.

 

I don't have any pictures yet, but the thing surprised me. I had seen pictures of the N700, both prototype and models, and I couldn't quite get to terms with the nose on the thing. However, seeing the model up close and personal, I have to say it looks amazing, somewhat space shuttle like really.

 

The lettering on it is incredible again. The N700 logo itself looks amazing. The diaphragm covers are quite well done. On a piece of straight track the whole train looks like 1 big unit rather than 16 parts. Even in curves it still looks very good. Obviously, in the sharper curves (it can handle 280mm radius) gaps start showing up between the cars.

 

The best feature of the set however, is that the power pickup of ALL 16 cars is transmitted through to entire train. All the coupling hooks are current conducting using a real simple but well thought out system. Generally, what that means is that theoretically the train will never stop due to dirty track, nor will the lights ever flicker for the same reasons. The full 16-car set has 64 axles worth of power pickup over about 2.2 meters or track.

 

I haven't checked running characteristics yet, but the full set does have 2 motor cars.

 

It doesn't tilt like I believe the prototype does, but that's a minor thing really. I'll try to get some pictures and detail shots up soon-ish.

[C62]

Seems to be a great model. I am looking forward to seeing the pictures, lots of them!

 

Thomas

[CaptOblivious]

Two motor cars? Wow, that's one very luxurious model. Sounds expensive to convert to DCC, too: four decoders total! Still, I look forward to photos too.

[Martijn Meerts]

2 motor cars is fairly common for 16-part tomix shinkansen I believe. Both my 0 and 100 series have it as well. My 500 is a Kato, and that one only has 1 motor car. Not sure about the MicroAce, but I believe that one "only" has 1 motor car as well.

[Bernard]

Martijn - This really has me curious the pick ups though out the entire train, sounds like a great idea especially when it comes to going over turnouts!

Do you also have the 700 set? My other curiosity is to see the N700 & 700 side by side to see how they are similar and different.

Oh, congratulations on the purchase! ;)

[Martijn Meerts]

I have the 700 Hikari and 700 Dr. Yellow. They're pretty much completely different compared to the N700 ;)

 

The set I bought is the N700-3000 as used by JR-West. I believe both Kato and Tomix released an N700 before, but that one had roadnumbers of the prototype/test train. I didn't actually mind that much, but I knew they'd come with a non-prototype/test train version, so figured I'd wait for that one =)

[alpineaustralia]

I have the Kato N700 which is DCC friendly or so they say. So far I havent had any luck with installing an EM13 decoder that works. The kato tilts on corners andf when you put the train on the kato tilted curve tracks, it is really noticeable.  Mind you, the 16 car power pick sounds great as there is nothing more annoying that turn out stall or flickering lights. Cant wait to see the pictures.

[CaptOblivious]

I have the Kato N700 which is DCC friendly or so they say. So far I havent had any luck with installing an EM13 decoder that works.

 

Oh no! That shouldn't happen, not really. What's gone wrong?

[serenityFan]

Mine is also the Kato N700... have a look at the pic here, you can sort of see the tilt in action ..

 

[Guest ___]

We had one running on the club's layout at the show in B-more not too long ago. I seem to recall it ran pretty good at 16 cars.