Greenmax Train Kit

[disturbman]

This things make me fantasized... a lot... Assembling parts, building your own train...  :drool: It seems to great to be true.

 

But however, It also makes me wonder... a lot... Is is hard? Do you need glue? Are the results or even the feelings of pulling this together great (;D)? Is the box big and should I order one thru SAL?...

 

Anyway, I'd like to ask you if someone here have some hinsights on the subject? Did one of you all ever try to make one? I know I will someday but I'd like to have more informations.

[Tenorikuma]

I want to make one too, but I'm kind of lost. You definitely have to glue or solder, and things like the base, trucks, and pantographs are sold separately.

[Bernard]

I hope I am understanding you correctly, you are talking about assembling a train (I sometimes get mixed up with their structure kits) I have built 2 of their train kits and I really enjoyed them. There is a different degree of difficulty with the kits. I found the pre-colored kits easier to build, most of the shells are pre-built and some include the motor unit.

The Economy kits are a little harder, you will have to build the shells and making sure that they are corners are squared off to fit the chassis. Before you start assembly, I recommend you clean the plastic parts, file down any spurs and then paint the parts. When completed the trains run great. My one complaint I have with the kits is that the motor chassis can easily slip out of the shell, so be careful when picking up a motor car.

You will need to use glue on the kits but more with the economy kits. I recommend looking at the Hobby Search inventory list and you will find pictures of the contents of each kit and decide which is best for you.

I would go for it, the whole experience is very satisfying. (I have also built 3 Bowser HO metal steam engine kits and they were much harder than the Green max kits)

Here is a photo of the pre-colored kit I made:

http://jnsforum.com/gallery/22_09_06_08_4_17_06.jpg

 

and here is a photo of the Economy kit I assembled and painted:

http://jnsforum.com/gallery/22_09_06_08_4_13_05.jpg

 

The trucks came with the 2 kits I purchased and there wasn't any soldering but I did have to order pantographs on one kit. If you do decide to order an unpainted kit, I also recommend using an airbrush to paint it.

[Tenorikuma]

There's a company that makes acrylics in both jars and spray cans mixed for specific railway colours, so you can get Meitetsu scarlet or Kintetsu orange and be confident it will match the prototype.

[disturbman]

You definitely have to glue or solder, and things like the base, trucks, and pantographs are sold separately.

 

I think it depends of the kit, there is some who seems to come with everything.

 

I hope I am understanding you correctly, you are talking about assembling a train.

 

You understood me quite clearly. I was speaking about their train kits. Thanks for sharing your experience, it look really interesting to do.

 

A last question, do you have the feeling they look more toy like? I mean, do they look a lot more plastic than the pre-assembled normal sets?

[Fenway Park]

I have built two Green Max pre coloured kits for the Kiha 23 and Kiha 45. One went together better than the other. Had to file down the glazing strips to get a good fit and the fall plates are attached to the top of the body shell!!

 

The chassis relies on sticky tape pads to fix the body on so far so good.

 

Pleased with the results, so much so was not tempted to order the Micro Ace version when they were released. They also came with TN couplers so can be mixed in with the other DMUs in the collection.

[CaptOblivious]

Here's GM's step-by-step guide to assembling the Keisei 3700 pre-painted kit:

 

http://www.greenmax.co.jp/Kit/GMtosk00.shtml

[disturbman]

Here's GM's step-by-step guide to assembling the Keisei 3700 pre-painted kit:

 

http://www.greenmax.co.jp/Kit/GMtosk00.shtml

 

Sweet but, my god, somethings look really complicated and nasty to realize. Anyway by looking at this guide I've allready learn things I didn't know about!  ::)

 

Until now I was cuting the stickers before applying them. I didn't thought it was possible to let apply directly from the big sheets. I feel a bit ashamed...  :-[

[Bernard]

Disturbman - The step by step link that CaptO gave says it all. And I agree with Fenway, the quality of kits are superb. If you are not sure of your skill level I recommend your 1st kit should be a pre-colored kit with everything you need included (Motor chassis, trucks & pantographs)

Tools I would use, an X-acto knife (to cut the plastic parts and decals, etc.) tooth picks to apply glue, small files to smooth the burs off the cut plastic parts & glue.

 

I can't say enough about how much fun it is to assemble a train and once you do it you'll want to try a more difficult one next time.

 

Fenway - do you have any photos of the Kihas you built to share?

[Fenway Park]

Will do later in the week as they are in store.

 

A further ooint re GM pre painted kits is that provided you are careful with the adhesive you end up with an excellent product that you have built yourself.

 

OK they are not cheap but most if not all of the pre painted kits are complete. It's a rare opportunity in the Japanese N gauge sector for some modelling as opposed to RTR.

[lbriand_fr]

Hi,

 

I'm planning to buy this set : http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10007364

But, before, I want to know if some of you have already made cars kits from Greenmax.

So, does the quality is at least equal to a Kato model?

Does the instructions have sufficient details for the painting?

And if you have some pictures of one of this "Economy Kits", it will be great!  8)

[disturbman]

You missed, I've created recently a thread with, allmost, the same subject: http://www.jnsforum.com/index.php/topic,1075.0.html

[Tenorikuma]

Unlike the "total kits", however, the economy kits do not come with trucks, pantographs, or a motor, so those are purchased separately. (The kit does tell you which ones to get.) Why they do this, I'm not sure; however, these are by far the most affordable trains you can get.

 

Green Max's guide to assembling the kits is online here:

http://www.greenmax.co.jp/Kit/GMkits00.shtml

 

Here are some nice photos of an economy kit someone assembled:

http://yaruki30.ifdef.jp/chichibu1000_orange/chichibu1000_orange.html

[lbriand_fr]

You missed, I've created recently a thread with, allmost, the same subject: http://www.jnsforum.com/index.php/topic,1075.0.html

 

 

Effectively... The thing happens when you search something, and ask about it 15 days later... ;D

[disturbman]

You missed, I've created recently a thread with, allmost, the same subject: http://www.jnsforum.com/index.php/topic,1075.0.html

 

Topics merged.

 

I wanted to add that I've ordered the Greenmax Keihin Kyoku 1500 series and I wanted to know if anyone knows a way to find the online assembling guide? If any exists. I'm totally at a loss with the Greemax Website.

[lbriand_fr]

Here is the content of the SUHA 32 Economy Kit.

I receive it today.

 

My first impression is:

Dérails are good (as all the other greenmax kits I have).

Inside is not represented, which is unfortunate.

Two types of chassis can be mounted, but they are not provided.

I received at the same time 7 SUHA44 from Kato, and for a comparable price (about $ 33 for 2 cars, including chassis), the Kato are better.

But for what I intend to do, the kit Greenmax suits me, because it avoid me to sacrifice Kato cars.

I intend to actually make a small diorama depicting a corner of abandoned train station.

 

I forget something. If you don't read japenese like me, the assembly guide is quite useless, but the diagrams are clear. The only problem is the colour scheme...

Now I have to search for colour pictures of real SUHA32.

[Bernard]

lbriand - Congratulations on getting the kit...now my big request since other members are thinking about assembling a train kit, would you mind taking photos at the different stages of your assembly? This will give others an idea what is involved. I recommend starting a new thread if you wish to do so.

[CaptOblivious]

The original color was likely (no references here to back this up) Grape #1 (pre WWII) or Grape #2 (post WWII)

[disturbman]

lbriand - Congratulations on getting the kit...now my big request since other members are thinking about assembling a train kit, would you mind taking photos at the different stages of your assembly? This will give others an idea what is involved. I recommend starting a new thread if you wish to do so.

 

If not, I will do it myself.  ;)

 

On another level, I will also try to make a photo-reportage of the assembly of the kit I'm waiting for. I should receive it this week or the next one.

 

@lbriand: it will be nice also if you can document the creation of your diorama. :)

[Fenway Park]

These coaches were always in brown. 

[Darren Jeffries]

I would be very interested in seeing how this goes together. As a scale modeller I am used to kits, but have never tackled coaches.

 

On a side note, I know that Humbrol do a range of railway colours, although they are primarily british outline. Does anyone know if anyone else is producing JR colours?

[disturbman]

To answer you Darren:

 

There's a company that makes acrylics in both jars and spray cans mixed for specific railway colours, so you can get Meitetsu scarlet or Kintetsu orange and be confident it will match the prototype.

 

We just need to find the name of the company.

[Martijn Meerts]

I believe Gunze has a variety of Japanese railway colours, but I don't think they come in spraycans.

[Tenorikuma]

I believe Gunze has a variety of Japanese railway colours, but I don't think they come in spraycans.

 

Green Max sells railway colours, including spray cans. The kit should actually say which colour(s) to buy.

[lbriand_fr]

lbriand - Congratulations on getting the kit...now my big request since other members are thinking about assembling a train kit, would you mind taking photos at the different stages of your assembly? This will give others an idea what is involved. I recommend starting a new thread if you wish to do so.

 

OK!

But before, I have to finish a 1/76 Sherman Firefly with a diorama, a 1/72 Fairey Seafox, a Greenmax track maintenance kit and 2 DCC conversions.

Maybe it's a good thing that I don't have place to begin a layout  :D

So it's possible that I'll make this topic in august  :P