Tomix overhead tracks, station & tram questions

[Tecchan]

Hi everyone,

Sorry if this is a long post, I thought a long one would be better than many small questions! ^_^

 

Shinkansen and overhead tracks (Tomix) related questions

I like to see my Shinkansen (0 & 300) run but I think I would love to see them on elevated tracks and stopping on an overhead station.

 

So I'm planning to buy some things on Hobby Search (of anywhere else if you have a better -cheaper- address) to make this real and I wanted your advices about what I plan to buy.

 

Elevated Oval (slab tracks)

 

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10047042

I really like the rendering of slab tracks, especially for stations and overhead so even if the choice is a bit more limited (there is no set for a bridge approach with concrete tracks), I'd like to go with the concrete look. It suits well for Shinkansen tracks.

Anyone here has them?

 

Elevated station (slab too)

 

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10073998

This is also something I dream about. I don't mind mixing swiss and japanese trains but for an obscure reason, I cannot make Shinkansen and local trains run on the same tracks. So aside form my existing tracks and station (the basic one that was given with EX 90105 starter set) I'd like an overhead station. When I looked at the plans, I noticed that the platform was rather small (the same than for 90105 set) and would be almost good with the 6 cars shinkansen that I own but will be too short if I ever take a longer train.

 

So how can I extend this station for being able to host comfortably 6 cars trains and not being ridiculous with more cars? I already have a station extension for my 90105 that could fit, but what must I absolutely need for extending the rest? I looked at it and it seems I need those:

2 sets of 140-SL (http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10047588)

1 set of bridge extension 140x55.5 (http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10028718)

1 set of concrete piers (http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10010450)

 

If I'm correct, this will allow me to extend my station by 280mm!

And if I'm correct again, added to the oval I will have a 1120m straight line on one side of the oval and my station on the other.

 

Of course I'll need a third transformer (two shinkansen lines and a local one) but I think it's already a big big order I plan here... ^^,

 

Tram related question

Asside from my interest on shinkansen, I had a great time making my small diorama you saw there (http://www.jnsforum.com/index.php/topic,3889.0.html) and I thought (as it was suggested in the same topic) that a small tram layout would be a good and cheap way to start a scenery work on a small scale. I don't have room for a big layout anyway and I will probable move out soon. What's your advice on what to start with?

I need the whole pack (power, tracks and tram). What dou you think about this set ( http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10136551 )? I've read about some limitations with this transformer, but I guess for a small tram layout, even with turnouts, it would be enough.

I've seen so many awesome work on tram layout those days that I want to try one of my own!

 

And for the tram itself, any good looking suggestion? I'm not a big fan of the modern looking trams as I want to make more a small town look.

 

Last but not least: where to buy? I live in Switzerland and the packages will be big, is Hobby Search a good option or Rakuten would be better?

 

 

I'd be happy to have your advices on all of this as I'm quite a beginner on modeling! :-)

And I'm sorry I just posted such a big text! ^^,,,

[brill27mcb]

Hi Kumo,

 

Viaduct:

 

The elevated oval set you chose is the one I would use. It offers the largest-radius viaduct that Tomix sells (539/502 mm). If you are going to run shinkansen and have the room, then go for the largest radius. Unfortunately, the inner portions of the 180-degree ends in the set go down to the next smaller size. They do that so you can buy two of these sets to make a 4-track shinkansen, without them having to offer separate "inner" and "outer" sets.

 

You found the correct station set, too. They offer both regular and slab versions, so you have to be careful to choose the right one.

 

Your parts list to extend the station looks generally OK to me, but looking at the catalog pictures closely it appears Tomix does not use the double-track support piers under their stations. Instead they use pairs of the single-track ones (#3017 I guess), since the station is wider than a normal double-track. You would also want to add a 280mm station platform of some kind, too! You would need 2 or 3 of these groups to fully fit a 6-car shinkansen on your station platforms, I would guess.

 

Tram:

 

This is a good little set, giving you everything you need for a single-track loop, and leaving the choice of tram up to you. I'd prefer if they used 4 30-degree curves instead of 2 of the 60-degree ones. With all 60-degree curves, you can not make a 90-degree "corner," only 60- and 120- degree. The power pack is a suitable one, and can control up to 2 turnouts/points with no additional control box purchases needed. If you want a double-track loop, consider getting 2 of the 91086 "MA-WT" sets instead, plus the power pack(s) of your choosing.

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10116454

 

On my EasyTrolley setups, I use a Tomix divergent ("Y"-shape) power cable to run both tracks from a single power pack.

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10010012

 

As long as the trams have similar speed characteristics, it works fine. I modified my Y-cord by cutting the two branches close to where they split off, then inserting a double-pole double-throw center-off toggle switch in each one. This provides separate forward/off/reverse control on each track of the double oval. The single power feed end goes to the power pack, and the two branches plug into the two DC track feeders. The little Radio Shack "project box" that holds these switches can be seen in some of the pictures in the EasyTrolley "Picture Gallery" on the website shown below my name.

 

Rich K.

[CaptOblivious]

I have the regular (non-slab rail) version of the overhead station. Each one of these:

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10028718

will extend the station by 140mm. The existing station is just right for 5x20m cars; it will be short for a 6-car shinkansen, but one set (two pieces) of this extension should do nicely.

 

Notice that you will need two lengths of 280mm track, or four of 140mm track to sufficiently extend the rails. The track you linked to provides only 2 140mm sections.

 

Finally, brill is correct, in that the double-track piers are not the right ones. The mounting points for the piers follow the track spacing, and you will require the regular single-track piers to support the station. These are the ones you want. Notice they come in packs of 5! But this should be plenty, as you should only need two additional piers, or maybe 4 at most:

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10009757

You could also buy another station store or ticket gate, as well: Each will support a 140mm section of viaduct:

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10028715

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10028714

 

To extend the island platform, the very reason for buying all the other stuff, you need only this:

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10009828

 

Finally, if you want to extend the wind screen around the station, which is optional, Tomix makes a kit for that as well, but I can't seem to find the part number just now (HS doesn't seem to carry it?)

[The_Ghan]

As I'm planning to do this next year I thought I'd leave a short post to help me find this thread again.  I'm not clear about how the elevated track stuff works and was going to buy a starter set just to see how things fit together.  I'd love to see a bit of a "How To" guide come out of this thread.

 

I want to run a 2 track loop with station in the siding but the comment about a 4 track loop piqued my interest.  Are any of you running such a beast?

 

Stations:  I've got several 16 car shinkansens including Series 100, 700 and N700.  To accommodate them in a station I calculate that I need around 2.66m of station (19 x 140mm lengths) , plus the curves, I need my layout to be around 4.0m long, right?  I believe intermediate cars are 25m long and end cars are 27.4m long.  That makes for a 405m long train!  I also believe the shinkansens are modelled at a scale of 1:160 instead of 1:150.  Is that right?  That is how I arrived at the length anyway, rounded off to the Tomix 140mm unit of length.

 

Sidings and storage:  What do you guys do?  I was going to add a couple of sidings at the rear of my layout that ramp down and join to my main line so that I can store a few shinkansens on the layout.  I am building additional sidings under the hilly section of the layout where additional trains can be stored.  All my hidden track will probably be Peco flex.  Will I be able to join it ok with the Tomix track?

 

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

 

Cheers

 

The_Ghan

[Tecchan]

Thaks for the advices guys!!

 

@brill27mcb:  Good thing I asked, I didn't realized it was simple piers instead of doubles. :-)

About the power pack for the tram. Does it mean that I can plug 2 turnouts directly on it or does it mean that I can only add 2 external ones? The loop pattern isn't the best one but the advantage is that this is a rather cheap set. I'll see, probable I won't need a whole loop of wide tracks as I plan to make a ballasted or tunnel area (or both).

For turnouts: there is no wide tracks turnouts right?! I have to buy standard tomix ones and buy the plastic parts aside separately.

Thank you for your tram advices, I don't know if I will go for double tracks but I'll keep it in mind maybe for a next layout! And really enjoyed pictures on your site!! :-)

 

@CaptOblivious: thanks, I also thought about the ticket gate and shop, but it's more expensive than piers.

Do they make the slab tracks on 280mm?

Do you have pictures of your tomix elevated station? I see often the Kato one, but almost never the Tomix one.

 

@The_Ghan: for the moment I only own 2 shinkansen and if I had another one, I woudn't mind store them in a box between two runs. But for the long term, I also thought about a way to store them on a yard.

My idea would be that:

On a straight section, using one of those (http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10072575) to have a "way out". Then using single line viaduct to go to the yard. We would have to be extra careful on the curves as single viaduct and long cars often are no good friends. To be able to having access to the two lines, I would just add a double crossover (http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10029056).

If anyone has a better idea or had already done something like that, your advices and pictures are welcome, even if I don't plan to do this soon! :-)

 

Anyway, thanks everyone for your answer!!!!

[bill937ca]

A small town tram line is more likely to be single track with passing sidings so Tomix is a better choice than Kato.  There is a Tomytec tram and separate chassis coming out in April. The cars themselves originally ran in Kyoto and now run in Matsuyama.

 

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10131862

 

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10131861

 

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10131860

[CaptOblivious]

Kumo: I don't have photos, because I'm kitbashing the station into something else. But here are some from the slab-rail version box:

http://en.item.rakuten.com/otagai/110168/

The contents of the box suggest that yes the slabrail does come in 280mm increments

 

Ghan: There used to be a very good website that had illustrations for how all the Tomix viaduct pieces could be put together, but I can't find it just now; Will take some time to go through my bookmarks…

[brill27mcb]

For some reason, Tomix does not sell the slab-rail 280 mm straight separately, only the 140 mm version.

 

Rich K.

[Tecchan]

For some reason, Tomix does not sell the slab-rail 280 mm straight separately, only the 140 mm version.

 

Rich K.

 

That's what it seemed to me. Quite a strange choice...

 

Talking of tracks lenght, what a dream: http://en.item.rakuten.com/mokeiyabigman/tomix-1070/

1120mm piece of double track!!! :-)

 

Regarding the store, what's the best option all considering (prices, shipping costs, shipping method, custon taxes risk, reliability): Rakuten or Hobby Search?

[CaptOblivious]

For some reason, Tomix does not sell the slab-rail 280 mm straight separately, only the 140 mm version.

 

Rich K.

 

That's what it seemed to me. Quite a strange choice...

 

Talking of tracks lenght, what a dream: http://en.item.rakuten.com/mokeiyabigman/tomix-1070/

1120mm piece of double track!!! :-)

 

Regarding the store, what's the best option all considering (prices, shipping costs, shipping method, custon taxes risk, reliability): Rakuten or Hobby Search?

 

That's a good question. As far as service goes, you can't go wrong. If you're in the US, customs isn't a factor. As for the remainder, if you are ordering the full station, it's going to have to be EMS regardless. If it's just the add-ons, then HS might be able to do SAL (cheaper, slower). Most other shops are EMS only affairs (Rakuten is EMS only; Hobby World, do they do SAL?)

 

So, you should shop around, and see what you find. My guess is that the price will be pretty comparable across the board, and so in the end, it really doesn't matter who you order from :D

[brill27mcb]

Thaks for the advices guys!!

 

@brill27mcb:  Good thing I asked, I didn't realized it was simple piers instead of doubles. :-)

About the power pack for the tram. Does it mean that I can plug 2 turnouts directly on it or does it mean that I can only add 2 external ones? The loop pattern isn't the best one but the advantage is that this is a rather cheap set. I'll see, probable I won't need a whole loop of wide tracks as I plan to make a ballasted or tunnel area (or both).

For turnouts: there is no wide tracks turnouts right?! I have to buy standard tomix ones and buy the plastic parts aside separately.

Thank you for your tram advices, I don't know if I will go for double tracks but I'll keep it in mind maybe for a next layout! And really enjoyed pictures on your site!! :-)

 

You can plug 2 turnouts into the Tomix N-400 Power Unit, and it has two toggle switches built in to operate them. There are no provisions on this power pack to snap any external turnout controls onto the side of it.

 

Right now, nobody makes paved turnouts, and everybody is hoping they will, sooner rather than later. But you can buy a standard track Tomix P140 turnout and use parts in the 3079 tram rail accessories kit to pave it easily. The 3079 kit (not the 3076) matches the texture and color of the Wide Tram track.

 

Rich K.

[Tecchan]

What do you think about this offer: http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10137213

 

It seems like a good starter set (I can use another transformer in the meantime) and rather a cheap.

Is this kind of trams kit a good option (tomytec tram+motor)? Because trams from Modemo-Tomix-Kato are usually much more expensive.

[brill27mcb]

What do you think about this offer: http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10137213

 

It seems like a good starter set (I can use another transformer in the meantime) and rather a cheap.

Is this kind of trams kit a good option (tomytec tram+motor)? Because trams from Modemo-Tomix-Kato are usually much more expensive.

 

What they are bundling will give you a single-track oval with two different radii (half 140mm and half 177mm), 2 carbodies but only one powering chassis, and  tram stop and center island/pole parts taken from the 3079 kit. Another similar 91086 MA track set and a second powering chassis, bought in addition now or in the future, would expand it into a double track oval with a powered tram for each track. The Tomytec tram and power chassis is not as sophisticated as the Modemo and Kato trams in term of lighting (headlights, taillights, and Kato has interior lights), and it runs much faster at a given throttle setting. I run them all, and like them all.

 

Rich K.

[Tecchan]

Thank you.

 

It seems like a good starter set, but I was looking for a less modern tram. I dunno yet...

I must really take a pen and start making doodles for my layout so I know exactly what I want and what I need.

[bill937ca]

What do you think about this offer: http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10137213

 

It seems like a good starter set (I can use another transformer in the meantime) and rather a cheap.

Is this kind of trams kit a good option (tomytec tram+motor)? Because trams from Modemo-Tomix-Kato are usually much more expensive.

 

This set has been restocked at HS! 

 

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10137213

[Tosaden]

@Kumo:

 

Take a look at www.japanmodelrailways.com . This ist a shop in Germany.

[Tecchan]

@Kumo:

 

Take a look at www.japanmodelrailways.com . This ist a shop in Germany.

 

They seem to have a good choice at OK prices.

The good thing is that if I order from Germany instead of Japan, shipping costs for double tracks viaduct set will be a lot less expensive. Unfortunately it's out of stock right now... :-(

 

Thanks for the tip anyway! :-)

[keitaro]

i'm going to pm myself this as well as i have epic plans (okay maybe not epic) but plans to make a large layout with double overhead track for shinkansens and several ground lines. i already made a basic plan but will have to wait to we get our selves a permanent place.

[Tecchan]

i'm going to pm myself this as well as i have epic plans (okay maybe not epic) but plans to make a large layout with double overhead track for shinkansens and several ground lines. i already made a basic plan but will have to wait to we get our selves a permanent place.

 

Same here, we're currently looking for a flat with my GF and I don't have much place at my parents (actually I have some space, but it's already occupied by my othe hobbies: LEGO & figure collections...).

 

I think I'll go for a smaller tram layout in the first time.

[Tosaden]

@Kumo:

 

That is why I made a tramlayout in H0, as in N. Just take a look on my project, it´s only 60x40cm large.

[Tecchan]

Hi everyone!

 

As you can see, I have not yet figured what I want.

I just know that for now, space consuming purchases would appear bad as we will move in together in june (found a flat, yepee!) and we don't know yet exactly all the space we will have for our hobbies. ^^,

But I stil want to build a tram layout.

 

So I wonder: why not build a layout that will fit on a bookshelf that I already own so that way I'm sure I will have somewhere to put it (60cm squared tram layout is small but still difficult to put somewhere).

I have IKEA Billy bookshelves (50 years old bestseller at IKEA, I'm sure you've heard of them :-) ) and each shelf is 26.5cm by 76cm, so this only leaves me the option of Tomix 103mm curves to make my loop. This makes a small challenge on the design but could also be cool!

Only thing I wonder: does the trams negotiate well the tight 103mm curves? Heard this would be a problem with Modemo articulated models.

What about single car trams (like those ones: http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10123538 http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10120055), the more modern Portram/Centram, Kato Pocket Line tram (http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10113311 is this set powered?) or even B train Shorty?

 

Thanks a lot and I promise to keep you informed as soon as I start my project. Hopefully this will happen soon...

[Tecchan]

Anyone runs a tram on the 103 curves?!

[Barobutt]

I recently purchased tomix 103mm curves as well as the CENTRAM and it runs totally fine on the track.  Some trams will handle it, some will not, so be careful and feel free to ask about specific trams

[Tecchan]

Thank you! I appreciate! :-)

 

Those ones for example (http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10123538 http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10120055), the more modern Portram/Centram, Kato Pocket Line tram (http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10113311 is this set powered?) or even B train Shorty?

[David]

Kato Portram will run on 103mm.

Kato pocket trains will run on 103mm.

B Shorty trains using the Kato power chasis will run on 103mm - I assume the Bandai power units are the same.

The TomyTec Portram with Tomix power unit will run on 103mm.

 

Some Modemo trams will run on 103mm, but not all.

A small number of Tomix railcars will run on 103mm, but most won't.

 

Most Bachmann trams, especially new ones, will not run on 103mm.

Most locomotives will not run on 103mm, even the Bachmann 44 tonner can't really do it. The Bachmann Plymouth (also sold as Kawai C type) and 0-6-0 steam switcher will run on 103mm (though the 0-6-0 tender will require some tweaking). The new Tomix DE10 can run on 103mm, even S-curves.

 

(http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10113311 is this set powered?)

 

Yes it comes with a power unit, one of the two units has a  Kato pocket line power unit inside (as mentioned it can do 103mm curves).