I was looking on eBay for a high speed train, just to have something fun and unusual. The low variety of models got me thinking if I could scratchbuild one. This question could apply to a bunch of other models as well, since most trains are not just flat surfaces. Is there an easy way to create (for example) the nose of a 0 series Shinkansen, or the roof of a passenger car? I had initially though about resin casting, but that would require a pressure vessel to prevent bubbles. Can sheet styrene be shaped in complex forms?
I've been collecting high speed trains since 2016 When I bought a really basic Mehano Thalys PBKA for dirt cheap at a train show. Since then I've done extensive research into high speed train models in HO and have been buying them. HSR in the modeling world especially in the US is a small niche. Easier said than done, it takes a lot of time, patients, and money of course. But when you keep your eyes open you will find opportunities. Honestly, you have far more variety in N scale, in terms of high speed train models, but they are small and I prefer HO. Sometimes when models of high speed trains are released they tend to sell fast so I got into the whole pre-order game. aside form the Amtrak acela most high speed train are foreign so looking at foreign websites like Leboncoin in France or Yahoo Auction in Japan are helpful but you will need a middle man. Ebay is a great option too but can be pricey. For custom building your own, creating the sleek aerodynamic train noses 3D printing is likely your best bet. For wheels and drive tooling, parts can be bought online or just salvage the tooling from an existing model and design your new train to fit that. So far I have not attempted to print or build any from scratch myself. Once you've bought a some existing models yourself you will get a better feel of how they are designed and put together. Some have concentrated motor units like the Acela or TGV others have distributed power like EMUs. Often HSR model trains have energized couplers that have metal prongs between them. this allows the EMU to function as a single unit off one decoder. I like the idea but often times it can be annoying if one coupler isn't connected properly or if the pins get bent. My Chinese CR400AF from SinoModel, for example, is a pain to put to gether and it overheats its motor under DCC, it's got many flaws. The 3 or 4 Japanese shinkansens that do exist as HO plastic models are good and reliable. Most of them do not have energized couplers but that means you may need 3-4 decoders for a single train but DCC is not the most popular in Japan so they don't bother too much with that. shaping styrene into complex forms may be tricky if you don't use heat to melt it a little. I've seen videos of people in Japan build bullet trains from card board and paper mache type methods with glue but they look rather flimsy. You could look into using a vacuum forming machine that uses suction to form a shape around an object to create a hollow shell. it could be good for making curved wind shields but it has its limitations. In the end its about dedication and yes it will show.
For of all had to Google HSR, High Speed Rail, and your collection, or locomotives and such for HSR is incredible and man that picture is awesome showing them off, nice one. And why is DCC not really that popular in Japan? I would have thought the opposite. How many cars are there for each set? Don't really know what I am talking about, it just looks cool. Should have that picture framed and hang it on a wall
Thank you, I'm glad you appreciate them. Many of the high speed train sets my friend and I own are full prototypical lengths. between us we have quite a few trains that are fun to line up for a shot. Although some sets such as the RENFE S-102 and JR 500 Series are not full length and this is because I just can't find the add on cars, someday I hope to get them. Here's the Lima Thalys PBA in HO it can only be found second hand.
So what's the normal number of cars on a set, or is each one different? Another cool photo. I watched a show on the Discovery channel or something and they said some of these things go like 120 mph, or such. And I think it just over seas and such where they are so popular and used often for transportation? Of course I have no clue really?
One, it's expensive and two most people over there seem to happy with DC and given most layouts in Japan are pretty small and relatively simple their is not a practical need for DCC when your switches are isolated and allow you to cut power from a certain siding or whatever why bother with DCC. In other words DCC did not become as ubiquitous in Japan especially in HO like it did in the West. HO gauge is not as popular in Japan and so not as much Japanese rolling stock is available. To me DCC is a must but having sound, especially in high speed electric trains, feels a bit cheezy but having a bell and horn is convenient. DCC allows me to operate my models on just about any layout. 120mph?!? Sorry, but that's slow lol. I mean the Amtrak NorthEast Regionals go about 125 and the Acela can now hit 135 mph in central New Jersey since they replaced some of the catenary with a higher tension system and Acela hits 150 mph in rural Massachusetts. When I think of high-speed I mean trains going above 160 mph preferably 186-220 mph (300+ kph) now that's what I call speed. And yes trains in places like France routinely hit speeds above 190 mph every day. While in china trains travel well over 200 mph daily between Beijing and Shanghai, that's 910 miles in 4.5 hours without leaving the ground once now for me that's the future. There is a whole nother world of railroads outside of this continent of North America. In the world of model railroading however speed is more relative and every engine and every motor spins at different speeds. Not all high speed train models can reach there realistic scale speeds while others go well above their scale speeds. Some models I own look fast but don't run too fast. You can go on Youtube and watch high speed train vids from all over the world all day long and get a good feal for what true 300+ kph is. Most people are scared to run their train fast in fear of jumping the curves. Honestly a plastic shell with wheels and a motor have very different physics compared to a few dozen ton hunk of metal. So, when designing your high speed train models you will want to keep the weight and the center of gravity as low as possible to keep it on the track. I personally have very few issues with fast trains derailing on curves although some models are just too fast or have uneven weight distribution and do derail on curves occasionally but still 9 times out of 10 its the track not the train. The HO Tenshodo 500 series is my top favorite of them all in terms of looks, performance, and reliability its just so epic. A year or two ago I was invited to run my trains on a club layout in New Jersey that's not my usual one in Pennsylvania that had some very realistic scenery.
