Need Your Help: 270 Series

[Tenorikuma]

This is the 270 series, built by Kintetsu and operated by the Sangi Railroad:

http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/三岐鉄道270系電車

 

No one makes a model of it, but are there any commercial N-scale trains that are similar? In particular, if the side and roof were the same, I could always scratchbuild the front.

[CaptOblivious]

That is a distinctive and striking train. Never seen anything else with such a curved roof…but then, I'm the last person you want to ask about obscure trains :)

[marknewton]

This is the 270 series, built by Kintetsu and operated by the Sangi Railroad:

No one makes a model of it, but are there any commercial N-scale trains that are similar? In particular, if the side and roof were the same, I could always scratchbuild the front.

 

Tenorikuma, there's a problem with trying to kitbash Hokusei Line 270 series cars in N scale using another model. These trains are 762mm gauge, or if you prefer 30", and as such they are built to smaller dimensions than typical 1067mm gauge trains. They are considerably narrower and lower in height.

 

But given their relatively simple body design, they'd be easy to scratchbuild, using brass or nickel-silver sheet for the basic carbody. That's what I intend to do at some stage. I haven't completed them yet, but I have been working on scale drawings of these and other Kintetsu/Mie Kotsu 762mm gauge rolling stock, as these are the trains and lines that first got me interested in Japanese modelling. But to give you an idea of the size of these trains relative to mainline 1067mm cars, here's my completed drawings of the Utsube line Ku110 and Sa130 cars, drawn to 1/87th scale, or 3.5mm to the foot.

 

Cheers,

 

Mark.

[Tenorikuma]

Thanks for the reply, Mark. Those are some very nice schematics you've made.

 

So would the dimensions look strange if I tried building one on regular N-gauge trucks? I really know very little about scratchbuilding, aside from a 22600 that I've started over on three times.

[bikkuri bahn]

Thanks for the reply, Mark. Those are some very nice schematics you've made.

 

So would the dimensions look strange if I tried building one on regular N-gauge trucks? I really know very little about scratchbuilding, aside from a 22600 that I've started over on three times.

 

If you tried building it in the standard 1:150 scale, the N-gauge tracks would look like broad gauge, which would probably be the opposite of the effect you'd want (this is why Japanese N gauge rolling stock is 1:150, rather than 1:160 in the U.S., excepting shinkansen).  Building it to HO scale of 1:80 and using standard 9mm N gauge tracks will make it look more prototypical.  This scale is called H0n2½.  1:80 scratchbuilding will also be easier.

 

modelling scale standards:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Model_railway_scales

[Tenorikuma]

Well, HO is too big if I want to make a tiny layout (which is what I want the train for in the first place), so maybe it's not worth pursuing. I don't want a layout with Z-gauge tracks that I can't test other trains on.

[bikkuri bahn]

Actually, an HO scale narrow gauge layout doesn't have to take up too much space, as just like the prototypes, rolling stock is shorter, and the track radius is smaller, allowing more action to packed into a smaller space.  Think of a layout using the proportions and curve radii of 9mm N scale track, but with HO scale buildings, autos, figures, and of course, rolling stock.

[Tenorikuma]

I still doubt that the bridge and suburb I was thinking of building would fit in the space I have in mind (about 2' x 3') at 1:80 scale. Hm, what to do…

[marknewton]

Thanks for the reply, Mark. Those are some very nice schematics you've made.

 

Thank you! I'm glad the time I spent in the drawing office during my apprenticeship wasn't wasted...

 

So would the dimensions look strange if I tried building one on regular N-gauge trucks?

 

Yes, they would. As bikkuri bahn noted, you'd wind up with trucks wider than the carbody. If you wanted to build these cars in N scale, you'd need to run them on Z gauge trucks, which you've said you don't want to do. I tend to agree with his suggestion about HOn30, which is also what I'm doing.

 

All the best,

 

Mark.

[marknewton]

I still doubt that the bridge and suburb I was thinking of building would fit in the space I have in mind (about 2' x 3') at 1:80 scale. Hm, what to do…

 

I dunno, I reckon you could get quite a lot into that space in HOn30. Have a look at these webpages, you might find some ideas and inspiration in them.

 

http://homepage3.nifty.com/syomonai/miso/keiben_index.htm

http://homepage3.nifty.com/syomonai/sekkai/sekkai_index.htm

http://homepage3.nifty.com/syomonai/kidou/kidou_index.htm

 

Also, have a look here - HOn30 Hokuseisen, Utsubesen and Matsusakasen cars and locos.

 

http://homepage3.nifty.com/syomonai/miso/ziman/kintetu/kintetu.htm

 

All the best,

 

Mark.