A lost newbie seeking directions - JR500 のぞみ

[JR 500系]

Hi people!

 

Being here for sometime and picking up alot of very infomative and useful information about Japan rail and Japan rail modelling, i for one, like any other new-born fan, am very very excited to start on a whole new layout that exhibits these lovely japanese trains, from local to express to super express shinkansen the world has so came to know of.

 

With that, i do have a question that pops in my mind. For shinkansen, we all know they look alot nicer running on DOUBLE overhead tracks. With that, can i know which is the better system to get? There are a few considerations for brand comparisons that comes to mind:

 

1) Cost. Yes the most major issue for a poor man like me who now have to sell Lego to fund N gauge. Cost can then be sub-divided into many portions:

 

A)Basic Overhead layout track set: It would seem the Kato V13 variation track here: http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10064433 costs 13140 whereas the Tomix large oval track here: http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10047042 costs 12420. Yes the V13 has the canted track, but the Tomix large oval has a larger layout?

 

B)Possibility of expansion cost: Seems like Kato expansion tracks & piers like http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10003063 & http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10085793 costs 1710 & 1080 respectively, which seems to be more expensive than the Tomix counterpart: http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10047038 & http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/100097631080 costs 1080 & 720 respectively.

 

C) OVerhead stations: For the KAto, i think this is the set: http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10003169 costs 8010, versus the Tomix counterpart http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10070381 costs 11520. Vast difference...

 

D) Bridges: For the KAto http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10003079 costs 1620 and for the Tomix http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10028237 costs 1620 same, but comes with 2 additional piers for the Tomix one.

 

E) Control system: For the Kato http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10040265 costs 4050 and for the Tomix http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10160414 costs 5220. Again quite a large difference between the two.

 

2) Design: Now this is the area which i will require kind assistance and advices on. Which design is better?

 

3) Availibility: With Popondetta and Hobby Search, i think this can be easily covereed.

 

4) Any other points not covered?

 

Guys your valuable inpput/ advices/ suggestions on which OVerhead track system to start on i very important for me in long-term budgetting. Thank you all in advance!

[Densha]

1. A. Unitrack one is 1864mm × 872mm and Tomix one is 974mm × 1595mm according to HS.

 

B. Depends on which starter pack you choose and what track you like the best.

 

C. In my opinion Kato stations and buildings took better than Tomix ones, and its even cheaper!

 

D. Doesn't seem like the difference for the bridges seem very large.

 

2. You will have to use your own eyes mainly I think. Or am I missing something here?

 

Also notice that you may want to use catenary poles for imitating the overhead wire look without the wire.

[The_Ghan]

Hi JR500 のぞみ

 

I presume that you have read "So you want to try Tomix Fine Track?"

 

You should also look at the Tomix/Easy Trolly Modeller site.

 

Finally, Quinntopia's blog about Fleischmann, Tomix and Kato Roadbed Track is also an important read.

 

I'm a Tomix man myself, basically for the benefits described in the links above.  I'm also using DCC, but I own two Tomix controllers.  Now that I've laid my cards on the table, here is my opinion in response to your questions:

 

1. If cost is an issue then model railways is perhaps not a good hobby.  It gets very expensive very quickly.  The difference in cost between Tomix and Kato track will become negligible.  Choose the type of track that suits your purpose best.  Splitting hairs over the cost of individual parts will waste time and effort;

 

2.  See my links above;

 

3.  There are cheaper suppliers than Poppendotta and HobbySearch;

 

4.  Also covered in my links, I think.

 

Cheers

 

The_Ghan

[cteno4]

jr

 

when thinking about buying track via oversea mail make sure to take into account the shipping into your time and cost calculations. track can get very expensive to ship via ems and even sal mail. sal will take 1-3 weeks so if you need a piece of track now you may have to wait a while. this is one edge kato has as its sold many places around the world where as tomix really is not stocked many places outside japan. but tomix has a greater track selection to choose from so thats a big plus! so unfortunately no perfect solution of cheap, fast and selection unless you live in japan!

 

cheers

 

jeff

[Krackel Hopper]

One question:  Where do you live?

 

As cten04 pointed out, you have to consider the cost of shipping.  If you live in the USA, Kato track will be MUCH cheaper because you do not need to pay international shipping.  The big sets (kato v13, tomix large loop) will cost you $50-$100 just to ship from Japan, and the viaduct stations are equally as expensive to ship.

 

Personally, I like Tomix track better (more track options & I like the lower profile roadbed) but the majority of my track is Kato simply because it's so much cheaper and easier to access here in the states.

[The_Ghan]

I *think* he's in Singapore?  But I'm guessing.

 

I also think that Tomix track is the better product.  And there is one more factor that convinces me so: Kato track has sleepers right at the end of every segment so that there are double sleepers at every joint.  Irrespective of whether or not this is prototypical, which isn't my point, visually it makes the individual track pieces stand out on a layout.  None of the links I posted seem to cover this problem.

 

Cheers

 

The_Ghan

[CaptOblivious]

I'm a Tomix guy, but I think I like the look of the Kato viaduct track better, especially for shinkansen. Something about the wider track spacing gives it more the look of standard gauge track, I think. So, I might be mixing it up on my layout, using the Kato overhead track for the shinkansen line. FWIW.

[JR 500系]

Wow! Thanks guys for all the kind input! Really appreciate all your valuable advices! Probably i should start a voting thread just to have a show of hands which layout is more popular?

 

@ Ghan: Yes that is so true. It really does seem pointless to be pulling out hair for minute differences in prices between the brands. Yes i am in Sillypore, where there is a fan club for N gauge trains consisting of 1 man and NO retail shops selling N gauge stuff... Very sad... For point number 3, can you let me know cheaper alternatives for Popondetta & Hobby Search? I've tried Bigman, Plaza Japan, 7toys7, Hobby Search, Popondetta etc but always looking for an even cheaper alternative..

 

@ Densha: Yes i really like the Kato overhead station too, which is so much cheaper! Now i'm that bit more inclined towards Kato ..

 

@ cteno4/ Krachel Hopper: Yap Ghan is right. I stay in Sillypore where N gauge is non-existance. I've recently ordered the E4 starter set from Popondetta, together with some other stuff, which costs me 6000yen (almost SGD$100) to ship in alone.. And Popondetta has confirmed they will NOT be doing Sea-mail anymore.... (check the Online Hobby shops thread for a most recent email i posted from them) The Sakuraya here does sell abit (and i do mean a little little bit) of Tomytec, but thats about it. I think hardcore Japan stuff lovers are lesser here and even more so with the current Korea wave sweeping the country. Everyone is so into Korean dramas/ songs/ food/ culture right now and no one really pays attention to Japan anymore, even more so with last year's unfortunate Tsunami attack and radiation scare...  

 

@CaptOblivious: Yap i think so too. Also love the Kato viaduct station more! HHhmmm might be seriously getting the Kato V13 to start my overhead system soon, making use of the current Hobby Search 50% shipping off promotion.

[The_Ghan]

JR,

 

I use BigMan these days.

 

Is there a fine for being a member of a N gauge fan club?

 

Go for Tomix track, it looks more realistic.  As for stations, I don't like the walls on the viaduct stations of either brand - they hide the trains too much.  Also, on my suburban platforms I'm roofing only half the length for the same reason.  I like to see my trains.

 

Cheers

 

The_Ghan

[keitaro]

agreed i hate the walling on both too bad theres not a clip on/off wall thats different sizes.

[JR 500系]

Thanks guys!

 

No there isn't a fine for joining an N gauge club, just more responses like: "What's a N gauge?" and 'What? Model trains in Japan?' There isn't even a layout to attract people in the first place. Also, Sillyporeans are more attracted to things that profit them more, like Lego for instance. Lego shops are now popping up like bubbles in a bath tub in all retail malls.... The large re-sale market has attract tons and tons of people who are out for a quick profit.

 

Read more news here: http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/stomp/sgseen/this_urban_jungle/734366/kiasu_shoppers_throng_mall_with_kids_in_tow_for_lego_toy_sale.html

 

*Oh shit i think i am in the photo*

 

HHmmm.. Tomix tracks.. Interesting... Have to agree that the viaduct station walls does cover too much of the trains, but that is reflect in real-life too. I think that's where LED lights come in useful. Nice to see the trains, especially with interior lightings, pulling in & out of the lighted station at night!

[Densha]

I see you're confusing the viaduct and overhead station, both are different products.

Kato:

Viaduct station: http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10003169

Overhead station: http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10064165

 

Tomix:

Elevated (viaduct) station: http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10070381

Flyover stations: http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10009852 and http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10009847

 

IMO the Kato ones look lots better.

[JGSDF]

I see you're confusing the viaduct and overhead station, both are different products.

 

You are right, but look at my Tomix station, i combined both to products.

JGSDF ( Michael )

[Densha]

You are right, but look at my Tomix station, i combined both to products.

JGSDF ( Michael )

As did Ken with Kato's.

But I still haven't found any prototype like that though...

[JR 500系]

Thanks Densha for the link! The station looks great! Yes i do know the difference between overhead station & viaduct station, and i like the viaduct station alot better.. Esp when there are shops down under! There is unlimited potential below the viaduct too that can be evolved into a possible local line or like what Ken did into a Metro line...

 

Thanks JGSDF for the picture! The E1 looks good there! HHmmm the platform standing on the viaduct doesnt look too bad at all!

 

HHHmmm i still in a dilema deciding which to get... Oh sharks...

[Tecchan]

I see you're confusing the viaduct and overhead station, both are different products.

 

You are right, but look at my Tomix station, i combined both to products.

JGSDF ( Michael )

 

Oh, I'd like to know more about this picture because it seems that's exactly what I want to have at home! :-)

 

• What length of shinkansen can it hold (at least 8 cars I imagine)?
  
• What pieces did you use for it, two stations combined or separate parts?
  
• Do you have more pictures?  
  

 

Thanks  

[JGSDF]

For Kumo

 

• What length of shinkansen can it hold (at least 8 cars I imagine)?
  
• What pieces did you use for it, two stations combined or separate parts?
  
• Do you have more pictures?  
  

 

The station is only temporary, i combine two overhead station and some seperate parts for it.

The JR500 Shinkansen have 10 cars.

i only have two more pictures 

[Tecchan]

For Kumo

 

• What length of shinkansen can it hold (at least 8 cars I imagine)?
  
• What pieces did you use for it, two stations combined or separate parts?
  
• Do you have more pictures?  
  

 

The station is only temporary, i combine two overhead station and some seperate parts for it.

The JR500 Shinkansen have 10 cars.

i only have two more pictures 

 

 

That's awesome, thanks a lot!

If only the shipping cost weren't that expensive for the big sets of tracks... :-/

[JR 500系]

Hi Kumo:

 

Just to add on, depending on what brand your track layout uses, the station and platform is ideally to follow the brand of your tracks. Here is a Kato comparison for your infomation:

*Pictures taken from Plaza Japan*

 

This is a Kato FULL island platform set, that can sits up to a 6-car train on it's own without any extension. (I have this platform set and i like it!)

 

Of course, there are expansion options readily available by purchasing the extension platform sets. Each extension is about 248, which is about a 2-car train length

 

Then there is the newer, much better looking version (and more costly though)

 

It can sit a 4-car train on it's own, and of course, expansion is always possible. Example, if you require a FULL 16-car set to sit into the platform, you will need 4 of such platform sets..

 

Hope that helps! Cheers!

[Tecchan]

Thanks a lot JR500 のぞみ! :-)

In fact I already own a suburban station and an extension (wich can fit a 6 cars Shinkansen or a 7 cars standard train). What I'd like to do is have a viaduct loop with an overhead station for my Shinkansen. All Tomix.

I'd like to separate the Shinkansen and the other standard railways.

 

Thank you for the informations, I'll have a look on Plazza Japan! :-)

[JR 500系]

Hi Kumo:

 

You're welcomed! Glad i can be of help!

 

Plaza Japan's prices aren't exactly the lowest though, but they do carry some items others have already long sold out so it's worth a shot. I'm still wondering which brand to use until it suddenly struck to me while i was studying in depth the assembly of the Kato Via-duct station... The Kato via-duct station doesn't come with platforms and tracks, where-as the Tomix one does, hence the deep price differences. After adding in the platform and the tracks, it works out almost marginally if not more than the Tomix counterpart, and you get ease of mind with the FULL Tomix set.

 

Having said that, i also realised that i needed a voltage converter for the KAto control box to step down to 110V. Hence with more controllers, i need more converters. Works out the difference in prices with the Tomix one barly covers the prices of the converters, and again you can piece of mind with the Tomix ones....

 

Verdict, most probably getting the Tomix overhead viaduct and tracks for my layout. Thanks guys for all the input! Most appreciated!

 

Now the main problem comes in. Where to get the money....