Ken Ford Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 After a two year pause, my interest in Japanese railways is back. I'm a traction modeler (among many, many other things) and have been looking at high floor trams. My goal is to build a few modules of typical modern Japanese trams to troll for interest from other local modelers. Kyoto's Randen is appealing to me; I like the cars and the photos I'm finding of the line. I just ordered a pair of Modemo NT124 Mobo621s in purple and am looking for a NT94 or two in green and cream. One is coming from ModelTrainPlus, the other from Plaza Japan. Link to comment
Ken Ford Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 Whoops! I forgot about that other NT124 I had bid on - I just won that one, too. Three purple, now I just need one green and cream! Link to comment
katoftw Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 Hobby search has a few of the Keifuku/Randen Railway trams also. Mobo 631s 621s etc. Link to comment
1954G Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 223-6000! Add-on set not pictured. I admit that I'm a little envious, as I'm a 223 series fan--it's probably my favorite EMU. Do you plan to operate the add-on set coupled to Kato's 221 series? 1 Link to comment
EF65 1100 Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 I admit that I'm a little envious, as I'm a 223 series fan--it's probably my favorite EMU. Do you plan to operate the add-on set coupled to Kato's 221 series? I have the Kato's early version of 221 (pre-2000 I think) as a 6 + 4 set. So I might end up doing exactly that - the add-on 221 with basic 223 set, and add-on 223 set with the basic 221 set. I dislike myself for liking the looks of trains from different parts of Japan... looks like my plans to become prototypical will never be able to be achieved... :confused2: 2 Link to comment
Ken Ford Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 I have the Kato's early version of 221 (pre-2000 I think) as a 6 + 4 set. So I might end up doing exactly that - the add-on 221 with basic 223 set, and add-on 223 set with the basic 221 set. I dislike myself for liking the looks of trains from different parts of Japan... looks like my plans to become prototypical will never be able to be achieved... :confused2: Once I found the Shinonoi Line I started making a real effort to quit looking at other main lines to avoid temptation. So far I've been successful! For the moment, anyways... Link to comment
kvp Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 I dislike myself for liking the looks of trains from different parts of Japan... looks like my plans to become prototypical will never be able to be achieved... :confused2: I have the same problem and many of us too. You can be prototypical, you just need multiple layouts to run everything at the same time. Another possibility is to group your trains into regions and only run a single region at a time. This way you can be prototypical if you want and the rest of the time you can run whatever you like. Not that it really matters, some people even run shinskansen and cape gauge trains on the same tracks. 1 Link to comment
EF65 1100 Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 You can be prototypical, you just need multiple layouts to run everything at the same time. Having multiple layout needs space (read: a new house with the entire basement to myself!). :angel10: Once I found the Shinonoi Line I started making a real effort to quit looking at other main lines to avoid temptation. So far I've been successful! For the moment, anyways... You are definitely more successful than I am. To keep myself on topic, I've just placed an order for a EF510-500 in JRF livery. Link to comment
JR 500系 Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 I have the same problem and many of us too. You can be prototypical, you just need multiple layouts to run everything at the same time. Another possibility is to group your trains into regions and only run a single region at a time. This way you can be prototypical if you want and the rest of the time you can run whatever you like. Not that it really matters, some people even run shinskansen and cape gauge trains on the same tracks. I agree. The trains in Japan are way too beautiful hence we love them all! But it's your layout eventually so whatever makes you happy should be fine ~ Besides, unless you're running to show real rail enthusiasts, most people would not know which regions the trains belong to, but are more tuned to looking at nice trains, hence painted trains always seem to capture more attention. More often than not, most of us end up collecting trains more than running them..... Much as possible, i'm keeping to the main island for my train layout, so Kyushu and Shikoku I try much as possible not to start on.... Link to comment
katoftw Posted June 14, 2014 Share Posted June 14, 2014 Japan has so much going on in every region. Has so many awesome trains. If you attempt to go 100% phototypical, then you are just making it hard for yourself. I wanted to do Kyushu only. Found I cannot get all the trains easily. Then feel in love with the Randen and Enoshima trains. And Tokyo commuters ie the Yamanote/N'EX/Toden trams is just signing out to me. I have given up and just gone all out. So much easier and more fun. Link to comment
ToniBabelony Posted June 14, 2014 Share Posted June 14, 2014 Japan has so much going on in every region. Has so many awesome trains. If you attempt to go 100% phototypical, then you are just making it hard for yourself. I like hard. That's why I focus on Keisei trains from 1991~1993. It's fun and orderly. To each his/her own. It's a personal hobby after all. Link to comment
Keikyu Posted June 14, 2014 Share Posted June 14, 2014 I'd like to be prototypical but I don't have the space. I just use smaller trainsets but make up silly little stories as to why, like I use my 5 car Yamanote E231 as a train that shows up when the line is less busy and the full 11 car set would be overkill. I do the same for having multiple companies on the one line, they just so happen to meet at a station where passengers can swap over. 1 Link to comment
JR 500系 Posted June 15, 2014 Share Posted June 15, 2014 Ding Dong! As promised on loco1 supplier thread, here's the parcel that was dropped off. 1) N700-8000 Kumamon/ Kurochan Shinkansen. Lovely cartoon, and power coupler rocks! 2) 209-0 Keihin-Tohoku line basic + Add-on 7 car. A re-release of the former work horse of the Keihin-Tohoku line. 3) An Used 400 series in old colour. Lovely! I've always wanted a 400 series Tomix so here we have it in the older painting. It's nice since there's the 400 series painted on the side, and I can then get a E3-1000 Tsubasa to cover for the new painting. Now we await Tomix to do the latest E3-2000 in the new painting... Think is, I really like the coupler system that Tomix uses for the front cars of E2, E3, E4, 400 etc for coupling. While the Kato one is more accurate since it physically opens and folds apart, I find the Tomix one easier to handle without the cover coming off half the time. It just pushes forward smoothly, cover detaches easily, and you have the coupler waiting inside for connection. Once done, just place back the cover into its slots, and push back nicely. The joining portion between the cover and body is also seamless and looks almost non-existence, while the Kato can be seen rather clearly. Another reason for me to choose Tomix over Kato, personal preference though.. 3 Link to comment
JR 500系 Posted June 15, 2014 Share Posted June 15, 2014 Ding Dong! Another parcel was dropped off, this time from Model Train Plus. Probably the largest I've ever ordered in a single order... 5kg in weight! There it contained: 1) E2-1000 Hayate 3car basic + 4car Add-on. Pre-installed power coupler rocks! 2) USED E3 Komachi older version. Pre-installed interior lighting 3) USED E4 MAX 6car basic + 2car add-on. Finally a Tomix E4 that can couple with 400 series and E3 Tsubasa! 4) NEW E3-1000 Tsubasa 7 car set newer version, but still lacking the power coupler which is strange since the E2 has it 5) Kato E655 Nagomi + Imperial car. A MUST HAVE set as the Nagomi is simply beautiful! 6) Tomix Yukemuri 4car set. Former Odakyu 1000 series, in a much shorten version. I liked how MTP packed the items nicely, with enough protection, and also the plastic film to wrap the items before the bubble wrap is great. It keeps the items neatly in place and is easy to remove. Nice! With that, I've almost completed my E-series project to change my E-series fleet into Tomix. Now I just need a E5 and E6 and i'm done for now. Thinking about the E7 later but will definitely need to recover the bleeding wallet now... Onto playing with the trains! :) * Sorry for posting too many pictures * 4 Link to comment
Densha Posted June 15, 2014 Share Posted June 15, 2014 (edited) Oh my god that's a crazy amount of Shinkansen at once! 0_0 Did you complete your collection in one day or something? Edited June 16, 2014 by Densha Link to comment
Davo Dentetsu Posted June 16, 2014 Share Posted June 16, 2014 They gave him his own personalised post van I think, that's a lot of stuff!Well, my Twilight Express saga is not over yet, but my other order of single arm pantographs (PS33C) is here doubly quick to fix my express service to the floor Narita Express. Also a bonus Ghana choccy and coffee in the box to consume whilst making my repairs. How thoughtful, I'm definitely delighted with this one. :) Link to comment
Keikyu Posted June 16, 2014 Share Posted June 16, 2014 Jeez JR500 that must have cost an absolute fortune. I want an E655 but they alone are too expensive for me, and you got one and like a million other things. 1 Link to comment
JR 500系 Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 Thanks guys for the kind compliment! :) Oh my god that's a crazy amount of Shinkansen at once! 0_0 Did you complete your collection in one day or something? Well Densha, almost I would say... The E-series project is almost done, only left with the E5 and E6 and perhaps the E7 now. Not really within a day, but it's by far the largest order I've made... They gave him his own personalised post van I think, that's a lot of stuff! Heh Heh Thanks! Well, a cute girl did ended up on my doorstep, and it kinda hurt me looking at her struggling with a 5kg box... Had to quickly grab it over ~ :) Jeez JR500 that must have cost an absolute fortune. I want an E655 but they alone are too expensive for me, and you got one and like a million other things. Thanks! After this order, I need instant noodles and canned food... It was a planned project all along to change all E-series to Tomix for coupling compatibility, and it didn't stop once I first secured the E4 Max 92674 since it was the most difficult one to get... You should get the Nagomi, it looks really really classy, and I fear it might not be re-release again, especially the imperial car. Do get it while they are still around then better to regret it later... 1 Link to comment
Davo Dentetsu Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 Heh Heh Thanks! Well, a cute girl did ended up on my doorstep, and it kinda hurt me looking at her struggling with a 5kg box... Had to quickly grab it over ~ :) Yeah... some people have all the luck, right? :P Mouldy loaf of bread (EF81 in green) still not here. So in the time I've waited for it, I've broke and fixed an E259. Funny old world, really. :D 1 Link to comment
Darklighter Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 A SPROG II USB arrived from the UK. I'm going to use it for controlling my floor layout (in combination with a PC, JMRI and my smartphone as a wireless throttle). Link to comment
Ken Ford Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 Stop me before I tram again! :help: I now have three powered and one trailer Keifuku Mobo621 trams on the water, and now a pair of Mobo101s coming from Nariichi-san at ModelTrainPlus. All in the current purple livery, I just want and need to find one or two cars in green and cream then call it quits. Link to comment
Densha Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 then call it quits. Is what you say now... 1 Link to comment
Ken Ford Posted June 20, 2014 Share Posted June 20, 2014 I just received the notice that the first of my Modemo Randen trams is at the PO box ready for pickup. I think I'll be knocking off a little early today so I can pick it up before they close. Link to comment
JR 500系 Posted June 21, 2014 Share Posted June 21, 2014 Twlight express! Nice! You have the Add-on coming? Link to comment
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