EF81 and Cassiopeia Sleeper Train Over the holiday, I had a chance to go to the Japanese bookstore at the Mitsuwa in the Chicago area. The Japanese railfan magazines are off the heezy! Too bad I can barely read them but the pictures are outstanding. Anyway, I was inspired by a story about EF81s to post about them and the Cassiopeia train. EF81s are a B-B-B configuration and remind me of ED85s (extended with an extra truck). They are dual power (Ac/DC) and are used for both freight and passenger service. An EF81 pulls the Cassiopeia sleeper train from Tokyo to Sapporo on the northern island of Hokkaido. Both Kato and Tomix have models of the EF81 and the Cassiopeia train. Kato 3021-4 Kato 3021-3 The pictures in the article showed the prototypes sporting some serious weathering and - I couldn't believe this myself - some rust along the roofline! I hope you enjoy.
I'm becoming a fan of the paint scheme with the star. I think there's a couple of other locos painted this way.
The electrics come off at Hakodate northbound and are replaced with double headed JR Hokkaido DD51 diesels in the special blue scheme, as the section between Hakodate and Muroran is not electrified, (it's also a good place to see diesel powered freights). Hakodate is a stub end station and the new power just couples onto the other end of the train and takes it out in the opposite direction. I think there was a photo of Tomix's model of the blue DD51 posted earlier in the thread.
Narita Express I'm pretty much running out of models to show. Looking at the numbers, I see that almost 7500 folks have checked out the thread in the last few months. I know I've enjoyed seeing the various models from around the world and learning some new things. I hope you have as well. This is the Narita Express ("NEX") 253 Series. It is probably the best way to get from Narita International Airport to Shinjuku and Tokyo stations in Tokyo. Both Kato and Tomix make models of the NEX and I know the Kato set comes lighted from the factory. I've recently learned that the 259 Series will be replacing the 253 Series next year but I think the 253 Series looks better. Kato 10-409 Add-on set 259 Series
Why can't we have trains like this in the states? Part of the reason I don't model modern trains is they all look the same to me now. (I now know how the guys felt back when diesels came around!) EMDs and GEs...I can't tell the difference! I'm glad that this thread has gotten a lot of views. It's taught me a lot and turned me on to a new part of the hobby. I hope the population along my little part of the Feather River don't mind a few Japanese trains cruising by!
I agree, there are some innovative designs coming out of Japan. The new NEX 259 series reminds me a little of the E351 Super Azusa in design but one of my favorites is the Odakyu Romance 50000 which Tomix recently re-issued. This video show the compartment where the engineer rides. Talk about a tight squeeze! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bR6Efn7glFc&feature=player_embedded#
Odakyu "Romance" Trains When I first saw it, I thought the same thing about how the 259 looks like the Hitachi E351. The Odakyu 50000 Series is cool (I've got it on order) but I'm partial to the 10000 series Hi-SE. I first saw that train on the A&E series "Locomotion" and I want to ride that first seat. Riding there must be like standing by the front door of a commuter train in push mode. I believe the articulated "Romance" Trains currently hold the narrow gauge speed record. Japan, as well as some European countries, has several natural advantages to passenger rail. A group oriented society, high population concentration in primary corridor (60% of all Japanese population resides the the Kanto plain [Tokyo area], the Kansai plain [Osaka area], and the area in between the two), and a general embracing of new technology among the populace. Kato 10-161 Odakyu 10000 Series Hi-SE Tomix Model 92754 http://www.1999.co.jp/itbig04/10043125a.jpg
I have my on back order too. Did you use Hobby Search or Hobby World? I have to admit I've waiting a long to for it to be re-release by Tomix. Have you seen the new E5? I wonder when either Kato, Tomix, or MicroAce makes a model of it. It looks a lot like a cross between the 700 series and the MAX. Talk about your long noses to prevent tunnel boom! [nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVYn6vRQncM"]YouTube- Broadcast Yourself.[/nomedia]
I've got to make a stand for the home team here, every place you look it up gives different figures, but the official Australian rail speed record, and possibly unofficially the world for narrow gauge, is held by QR's electric Tilt Train (the design of which was originally based on JR Shikoku's 8000 series) at 217kmh with unofficial reports of up to 270 on late night test runs when no one was around. The speed in regular service is 160. Wikipedia's page on rail speed records don't list it in the narrow gauge section, however, they list the official narrow gauge record as a South African electric locomotive at 245kmh in 1978, the next being a JNR test car at 175kmh back in 1960. They list a 3000 series romance car as doing 145kmh in 1957. I've got a bit of a soft spot for the 10000 Hi-SE, one was the subject of the first photo I ever took in Japan back in June 1990.
To dig up this old thread - I was looking at purchasing the TGV from Kato. Is it drop in DCC ready? I can't read the japanese and my computer isnt converting, but just knowing if its easy drop in decoder or break out the soldering iron.
I can't track down anything specific, but Plaza Japan has a couple of versions of the Spanish AVE version of the TGV in stock and the description says DCC friendly. What that means is open to interpretation, but most of Kato's recent releases and retooled versions of older models usually accept some type of drop in decoder.
I just saw this post so here is my Foreign Prototype. Its a Kato DE10 (two axle front and three axle rear) Japanese loco. Funny story Its a Japanese loco yet I picked this up while I was on a snowboarding trip in Europe. I went to Solden Austria about two years ago. I picked it up at a hobby shop for about fifty U.S. dollars.
If it is the old orange TGV, I wouldn't count on it being drop in DCC ready. You can add DCC to Kato trains, however. Here is a picture of my Saikyo line "Kato Train" (10-481) with a hard wired DCC conversion. Also, my Tomix 92754 Odakyu Super Express 50000 Romancecar VSE set came yesterday. Along with the PS3, it turned out to be a good Christmas.
I believe the newer Kato TGVs have the capability of a plug in decoder. I have the French TGV (orange one) and the decoder has to be hard wired in. Are you going to put a decoder in your Tomix 50000 Romancecar? I'm still waiting for mine and would like to know how your install (that is if you plan to do one) goes. Also on your Saikyo set did you install decoders in the head and tail cars?
Right on the newer Kato sets but the releases of the Orange TGV have to date back to the mid '90s for the last release. I haven't tried to convert my POS or Thayles sets so I have no information on those. You overestimate my install capabilities. (You should have seen me today messing around with the Z scale MTL GP35.) I did not do the install on the Kato train and only had the power car done. Would you do the front and back cars for lighting control? I personally am not running DCC (or anything as I am currently sans layout) so I don't have a timetable for converting the 50000 series. Y'all have peaked my interest, however. I did notice there are electrical contacts between each car. I'll try to get some pictures. Time to set up the Unitrack loop. Anyone with info on decoders for lighting on Kato sets? I thought Kato has a decoder for those.
