I recently came across this in a Japanese model magazine. It is a smaill rail truck from Aru Models and appears to be loosely based on the RGS Galloping Goose in HOn30. The kit is very reasonably priced at about $30 (if you like soldering). The finished model is closer to $150. I don't have any details about where to purchase, yet. Maybe someone in Japan or who's Japanese is better than mine can help there. It does look cool. http://homepage3.nifty.com/arumo/r0043.htm http://babelfish.yahoo.com/translate_url?doit=done&tt=url&intl=1&fr=bf-home&trurl=http%3A%2F%2Fhomepage3.nifty.com%2Farumo%2Fr0043.htm&lp=ja_en&btnTrUrl=Translate http://www.arumo.com/
Hi Tetsu, That definitely looks like a great model! Do you plan on buying it? If so I'd really love to see some progress pictures :thumbs_up:
"A man's got to know his limitations" I know I don't have the soldering or kit building skills to even begin this project. It would be cool for some of the master model builders around here, however.
I've built a couple of Aru Models kits and they are very nicely designed, I think with beginners in mind. I soldered mine but I suspect they'd assemble smoothly with ACC or epoxy. I actually used Krazy glue to attach the white metal parts. And since they're designed for the Kato pocket mechanisms you don't have to fiddle with mechanisms to get them running. I deal with Mr. Yoshiya Kobayashi for most of my Japanese kits. I'm in no way affiliated but always a happy customer: ‚±‚΂₵‚̃z[ƒ€ƒy[ƒW I'd say have a go at it! Regards, Cody
I like this one myself... http://homepage2.nifty.com/narrow-garage/GKC-6.html I may build something like it on a chassis I already have.. Art
I like that one allot, but I don't think it's available anymore. Here's an older shot of a couple centre cab diesels that are quite similar. The unpainted brass one is an Aru Models kit designed for a Kato 11-104 mechanism and the green one is a kitbashed Mack 15 ton diesel from Jordan Models, modified to fit the same mech. Both were fun projects. -Cody
I like it. I wonder if there is a different chassis possible to use, which would bring costs down significantly? Boxcab E50
The kit is $30, not including shipping from Japan. The Kato power chassis is about $20 - $25. The $150 price is for RTR. I unfortunately don't solder. ("The bigger the blob, the better the job" doesn't apply here.)
OK. I thought when you said "The finished model..." you were meaning when that kit was completely assembled. Boxcab E50
My initial impression is that it is a Japanese prototype. From studying the pictures on his site, I'm all the more convinced. It is worth noting that while everyone has heard of the Galloping Geese, most narrow gauges (and many std gauge shortlines) had rail trucks. In fact, many predated the Galloping Geese by a long shot. Therefore, they are highly appropriate for any freelance model railroad. (in fact, there were probably more with rail trucks/buses than without). $30 is a pretty reasonable price...can we get a picture of one on someone's layout? Michael
Even if Japanese prototype, a person could quickly make it more North American. A cab mounted headlight, bell, horn, etc. Some track gang affiliated articles here and there. Change the pilot to a small plow. Ack.... I hope this won't rekindle my thoughts of doing HOn30 again. Boxcab E50
My bad on that. I see now that I didn't make that clear. The $150 price is the RTR price. But if you are a good modeller, $50 (plus shipping) would make an HOn30 truck which I think would be worthy of the Carrabasset & Dead River.
Card Stock version of the Japanese Rail Truck. I have been a member about a week now. When I first joined I spent some time reading over old threads. When I found this one I wanted to see if I could find a way to buy one of the kits. I asked for some help and was given a few places to look. I looked all over the companies web site but could not see a way to order a kit. I decided to just wing it, sort of, and make a card stock mockup. I did a cut and paste on the photo etch picture and this is where I am with it so far. After I get a few detail parts I will scratch build another Rail Truck using the mockup as my pattern. The next one may be made out of plastic and wood. After I got the body finished I looked through my stuff and came up with one of the HO Bachmann MOW Vehicles. I removed a few parts and the Rail Truck was a perfect fit. I sat the Rail Truck on the MOW frame, put it on my test track and off it went. The scale is sort of On30. 1. Real Japanese Rail Truck Model. 2. My Card Stock version. 3. My Card Stock version.
