What did you order or the post deliver? (Japanese N Gauge)

[katoftw]

Mainly trains from yahoo sellers I've had some very minor issues with:-

 

1. MicroAce Kiha 40 Isaburo-Shenpei 2 car DMU - Listed as used.  Came in at new list price, which for this model is rare.  Normally goes for 150% of new list price.  Had the rapidos replaced with tight lock couplers, rapidos not included, not listed in action.  Also came with interior lighting.  Nothing really an issue but listing wasn't 100%, probably prefer rapidos due to other Kihas I own having rapdios.  So I won more than I lost in this buy.

 

2. Kato 321 series 4 car basic and 3 car add on - Listed as new+unused.  Came in at 50% off new list price.  Looks new but was missing 1 front dummy coupler and 1 TN coupler was broken.  Guessing it was shelf/display stock.  Was able to replace the broken TN coupler for 450 yen, but unable to acquire a front dummy coupler, but at 95,000 yen off new list price, it was worth the hassle.

 

3. Tomytec Keihan 600 Otsu Line from Vol.17 - Listed as test run only.  Box cut up and panels missing.  It is only a box anyway, not train related.  Most likely the Otsu 600s will go all together into 10 or 12 car case anyway.

 

4. Tomytec Keihan 600 Otsu Line Limited Edition in Express Colours - Listed as test run only.  Box cut up and panels missing.  Display stands missing, no big deal as I don't use the trains as static models.  Bogie covers for motor unit missing, again not a big deal as I have plenty of spares from other TM-20 motor units and Keihan 600 Otsu Line trains.

 

I am buying used good so I have to expect to have some issues.  Sometimes the issues are described by the seller, sometimes they are not.  But if I'm chasing hard to get trains or 50% cheaper than the new list price, then some fixable issues I am happy to deal with.

Edited April 15, 2015 by katoftw

[1954G]

http://plamoya.com/en/limited-edition-jr-series-5007000-sanyo-shinkansen-plarail-car-u-p-104965.html

 

I picked up the Tomix 500 series Plarail limited edition 8-car set at half off list price (12000 JPY).  They still have one left if anyone is interested, but act fast. 

[Robert46]

 

Hi Guys,

 

Sorry maybe this one is out of topic.. But I just got the fantastic book of The Complete History of North American Railway :D

 

I got this couriered locally as it was sold by local people. it is 352 pages and the dimensions are 37cm x 26cm x 3.5cm.. what a big and thick book.

 

I don't play US models, but I am very happy to have this one coz this is a great source.. like one of the US national archives for railway history.. :) very old and rare..

 

Cheers..

[enodenlover]

Monday's mail brought me my first Japanese freight car, a Taki 12200 Osaka Cement tank car from Popondetta, and today I got Tomytec's 2-car Oigawa Ry. 3000 series EMU, which will hopefully get powered up in the not-too-far future.

[E6系]

Hello Mr Robert46,

 

Awesome book.  Thanks for sharing.  I also do not model USA rail, but I always admire the size of their steam locos.  Nice catch!

[railsquid]

W00t, finally found a Kato Yamanote Line 205. Well, at least three cars of one in Popondetta's junk corner.

It's the first train I ever travelled on in Japan so has a certain nostalgic value.

[katoftw]

1x Kato EF65-600 (P) to add to my Takasaki Depot fleet.

 

3x Tomytec TT-04R trailer kits, thought I'd a get few extra as I have some 2 car trains pre-ordered.

[NB1231]

I received my Tomix Nagano 1000 4 car set this evening. Surprised that the post delivered at 9:00pm ?

 

This will replace the motor car and one missing car from my Odakyu 10000 HiSE. Seems a shame to not use the other cars for something.

 

gerryo

I assume you mean the Tomix 10000 series HiSe? I've been looking for a replacement car for my set for a while and keep coming up short and I wasn't sure the Nagano set from Tomix would work correctly with the kato one.

[gerryo]

I received 2 packages from Nariichi today.

 

One was a pair of JNR Diesel Railbus Type KIHA 03. For moving small amounts of people.

 

The other had 2 Covered Wagon Freight cars and a Guards car. Also in here was a Nagoya Railroad Series 7000 Panorama Car basic 4 car set.

 

Another one of my "uncommon" sets.

 

gerryo

[Robert46]

Hello Mr Robert46,

 

Awesome book.  Thanks for sharing.  I also do not model USA rail, but I always admire the size of their steam locos.  Nice catch!

 

Hi Mr. E6,

 

You're welcome.. :) I just updated some new pictures taken by myself few days ago. A bit disappointed that I couldn't get in touch and update with this forum as my internet was down for several days..

 

Yes, definitely it's a nice book and provide pretty details information. I wish there are some Japanese railway books but written in english... That'll be great if we can find them.

 

Btw, I don't know how to edit the album, I want to delete some pictures with lower resolutions but couldn't proceed...

[linkey]

I have recently picked up more KATO Railway Service buildings to help make a display for the train maintenance yards and Steam loco working area. Now I just need space to fit in a turntable and other items to make it worth while.

I also have the Tomytec Diorama field mats for the high school building and gym. Plus a KATO V7 pack to have the double crossover track.

Now waiting for my pay to get the KATO D51 trains and the Series 12 Blue car set.

[railsquid]

So far the worst I've had is a locomotive direct from the manufacturer in the UK - they put it in a biggish cardboard box with plenty of bubble wrap, except they put the locomotive at the bottom of the box and the bubble wrap on top... Luckily it wasn't damaged.

 

In the meantime I've had two separate parcels arrive from the UK via normal post, one packed by my dear mother, the other direct from a well-known Liverpool retailer. No problems with either. (Well, one of the locos from Liverpool didn't work, but it was sold second-hand as such, and a little bit of detective work centred on the DCC socket got it working fine, which is nice 'cos it's a hard-to-find livery).

[railsquid]

The worst thing I've ever had happen was dropping one of my Kato D51s. It survived, but for a while I wasn't sure that I would!  

 

At the tender age of 6 or 7 my brand new (British) steam locomotive fell off the layout. It survived except for the cab window support on one side, but I feel guilty about that until this day...

[railsquid]

Not directly related to Japan, but this British locomotive arrived at Chez Railsquid the other day:

 

I didn't realize until relatively recently that Lima actually produced some Japanese models, and it's clear from the packaging that they had Japan in mind as an export destination:

 

Not the best of runner (it was sold as a non-runner but easy enough to fix), but I have a weakness for Lima and its pancake motors as my first ever locomotive was from them. Here's the above Class 86 in "action":

 

[Densha]

Those are true Lima running characteristics!

[kvp]

You might want to try a PWM controller with this old engine. It can help a lot to get it to run smoother.

[railsquid]

Those are true Lima running characteristics!

 

I also picked up a Lima BR class 31 which is a total disaster as far as running is concerned, but emits a very evocative smell of vapourising motor brushes :)

 

The other very "Lima" thing about it is the detailing - the body moulding is actually pretty good, but the proportions are way off (too short and too wide).

[railsquid]

You might want to try a PWM controller with this old engine. It can help a lot to get it to run smoother.

 

It actually runs somewhat better now than when I made that video. Part of the problem is that the pickups are only from the non-powered bogie, and the pancake motor sits on top of the powered bogie which restricts that bogie's movement somewhat, which doesn't help when running over points (and is the reason for the over-wide body).

 

Anyway stay tuned for a future installment where I will introduce a locomotive which features elastic bands as part of its gear train...

[dabsan]

Hi Railsquid, great video. I remember having one of those class 86 Lima locos and yes I know that smell. Also the rubber traction tyres are a bit hard to find these days. I have a Lima 183 series model, not sure if they made many other Japanese locos.

[enodenlover]

I just got a 3-car set of Osaka Cement Co. tankcars from Kawai and a pair of pantographs for my Tomytec Keihan interurban train.

[JR 500系]

Well, not exactly delivered, but got from my recent Japan trip:

 

 

Finally got the Tomix DU 202 which i've always wanted but couldn't bear paying the high price for online and subsequent shipping... It was a great deal at Yodobashi Umeda, something like almost 40% off the RSP! Only downside is having to lug it around with me. It is kinda heavy...

 

Elsewhere in Yodobashi:

 

A Kato Doctor Yellow full set, now finally the Doctor is in the house!   

A Kato E259 NEX basic set, but they didn't carry the add-on. No choice, grabbed a lighting kit in order to hit above 10,801 yen to qualify for tax free shopping.

 

From Popondetta Shinjuku:

 

Tomix catalogue 2015. Need to update mine as my old copy is 2012...

My first MicroAce catalogue. Too bad MA didn't have the newest version yet, this one is only until 2012..

 

From Popondetta Hiroshima:

 

USED Kato Tsurumi line 3-car set. I was looking for this for sometime as I like the 205 and the Tsurumi line, this one is a combination of both at a nice price. They even tested the set and everything is working fine ~ Along with some urethane cases that were going for a good deal so just grabbed them...

 

From Enoden Shop at Enoshima station:

 

Tomytec Bus Collection Enoden bus set 3! How could I miss this!  :)

 

All in all, I thought I would get a lot of stuff, but I didn't. Probably due to the luggage we already had and it was kinda hard to carry everything back. Yodobashi is by far, in my opinion, the best place to shop for new model train stuff! They carry quite a large range of N, HO and Z scale, and at around 20-30% off RSP. Best off, they provide tax free 8% off when you buy over 10,801 yen. Even sweeter deal, pay with a Visa credit card and get an additional 6% off the total! All in is a good 44% off RSP!  :)

[Eurostar25]

@JR500 interesting to hear about your observations of Yodobashi camera, I hadn't paid too much attention to them when I was in Japan, as I thought they were a bit expensive but after seeing your observations and checking their website, some of the prices are particularly cheap! Shame they don't ship to outside of the U.S.

I found the Umeda store pretty huge when I was there a few months back and will make a point to go there again on my next trip and spend a bit of time hunting around inside properly.

The points accrued look like they add up pretty quick if you spent a few dollars there too. Wonder if you can obtain a points card while you're there...

[railsquid]

@JR500 interesting to hear about your observations of Yodobashi camera, I hadn't paid too much attention to them when I was in Japan, as I thought they were a bit expensive but after seeing your observations and checking their website, some of the prices are particularly cheap! Shame they don't ship to outside of the U.S.

I found the Umeda store pretty huge when I was there a few months back and will make a point to go there again on my next trip and spend a bit of time hunting around inside properly.

The points accrued look like they add up pretty quick if you spent a few dollars there too. Wonder if you can obtain a points card while you're there...

 

Should be no problem, you may need to provide an address in Japan but that of wherever you're staying should do.

[katoftw]

Nice array of random trains. What made you buy a Kato N'EX and not a Tomix N'EX?

[JR 500系]

Nice array of random trains. What made you buy a Kato N'EX and not a Tomix N'EX?

 

Heh Heh ~ Thanks for asking! Indeed you know my biased preference of Tomix over Kato...

 

For the NEX, I did some studies... The Kato had more detailing, such as the printed on destination boards at the sides (I'm quite a sucker for these) and also the connecting parts between cars is more accurate and beautiful with the Kato, hence the choice of Kato over Tomix for this. I'm hearing good news about 3rd party interior lights for Kato such as illumi or Torm so that helped to decide a little on this as i'm a sucker for interior lights.  

 

How come the Doctor Yellow wasn't asked the same question? I'm thinking if anyone actually has the Tomix Doctor Yellow.