help me build mey first HO train set: tomix kato e231-500

[jrcrunch]

i plan to buy a tomix  e231 train since there is a reissue now

 

http://www.tomytec.co.jp/tomix/products/ho/ho053-5_397_8.htm

 

http://www.1999.co.jp/search_e.asp?Typ1_c=104&scope=0&scope2=0&itkey=e231

 

how many cars should i buy? is HO-053 set with HO-0055 a good combination? i cant afford a long one due to space

 

 

is there any tomix starter track set? i cant find it in their website

 

can tomix HO trains run on Kato HO tracks

 

http://www.katomodels.com/ho/unitrack/

 

is there elevated HO tracks? 

 

thank you for the help

[railsquid]

is there any tomix starter track set? i cant find it in their website

 

can tomix HO trains run on Kato HO tracks

 

http://www.katomodels.com/ho/unitrack/

 

is there elevated HO tracks? 

 

thank you for the help

 

I have never seen any Tomix HO track, come to think of it. There's none listed in the current catalogue.

 

I'd imagine there would be no problems running on Kato or any other HO track.; there certainly isn't with N-gauge.

The Kato catalogue doesn't contain any track elevation accessories; while it's common enough to see the track in shops, any kind of HO accessory is pretty rare on the ground.

[jrcrunch]

that is weird. do you know why tomix sell HO trains but no HO tracks?

[katoftw]

It is not weird.  Both companies have limited demand for HO and slowly are offering more HO into their range.

[ozman2009]

In the HO and N worlds a number of companies (mainly European) offer whole ranges of locos, coaches and wagons, but no track or accessories.

[jrcrunch]

i am thinking of buying kato track sets for my tomix train

 

either this

http://www.katousa.com/images/unitrack/3-104.jpg

 

or this

 

http://www.katousa.com/images/unitrack/3-115.jpg

 

 

will a 6 car look good in this one?

Edited October 15, 2014 by jrcrunch

[katoftw]

If you have space issue.  Thought about N scale instead of HO scale?

[jrcrunch]

i already have N scale but I also want an HO scale train diorama

[katoftw]

if japanese diorama, then personal opinion would be to use concrete tie tracks.

[velotrain]

i already have N scale but I also want an HO scale train diorama

 

and earlier:

 

how many cars should i buy? is HO-053 set with HO-0055 a good combination? i cant afford a long one due to space

 

If you stuck with N scale, you'd have more space ;-)

 

If you literally mean "I also want an HO scale train diorama", then why not build a shelf layout / diorama?

[kvp]

 

that is weird. do you know why tomix sell HO trains but no HO tracks?

Mostly the idea is that if there is no large demand for a certain product and there is an established brand (or brands) of track in use, then there is no point in creating another track system. In this case the manufacturer just sells whatever is in demand, like rolling stock, train sets or buildings only. On the other hand, Tomix did make H0 track around 40 years ago, but they discontinued it, while their H0 train range is still in production and is being slowly expanded. The reason is that they can make a profit this way. The Kato H0 range is also limited and they only offer a minimal amount of track, mostly because of the larger US H0 market where they are also present (unlike Tomix), so many components that are off the shelf in N scale has to be scratchbuilt in H0 scale.

 

Personally i find it counter productive for layout building to have trains from the same area and era in different scales, since you'll need a layout for each one. For only displaying them on a shelf behind glass, this is not an issue. The 'standard' scale for japanse trains in the last 40 years was N scale and imho it's easier to use what everyone else is using, since a bigger market means more available products for a lower price. People, who like challenges and have more money, they can choose a larger (H0, 0 or even 1) or smaller (Z or T) scale. A few people do this and you can find them even here on this forum.

[velotrain]

. . . . The Kato H0 range is also limited and they only offer a minimal amount of track, mostly because of the larger US H0 market where they are also present (unlike Tomix), . . . .

 

kvp - I just ran across this and seriously doubt that Kato produces (some) HO track "mostly because" of the US market.  I strongly suspect that some 75-90% of all permanent layouts here use flex track (100% among serious modelers - outside of those who still lay their own).  A more likely reason Kato produces this is for Japanese customers who like the larger scale and greater detail of HO, but who don't have the space for a permanent layout.

 

It also supports their American and Japanese outline starter sets.

 

http://banzaihobby.com/train-model/kato-starter-set-ho-scale

 

It seems like cruel and unusual punishment to have the Cassiopeia engine hauling a pair of 2-axle boxcars ;-)

[cteno4]

Ho unitrak is pretty rare in use here in the states, it's a very small fraction of n scale unitrak. Kato USA sales are a fraction of kato japan sales (limited actually from what I have heard). I doubt they developed or maintain ho unitrak for the us sales, it's just a good secondary market for them, but smaller than the Japanese market I expect.

 

Jeff

[bill937ca]

There is a Tomix E231-500, but as it is Japanese HO it will be 1/80 instead of 1/87 but still runs on HO track.

 

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10296046