I had an appointment in Tokyo today so I was able to go to the Kato store in Shinjuku and pick up some stuff. It’s been a couple of months since my last visit and it looks like they’re redoing their demonstration layout on the first floor-they made some repairs and updates to some scenery and they took a corner and we’re working that into a winter scene. They have HO and N scale layouts on the second floor that you can rent time on (DC only-but multiple tracks). Looks like they made some needed repairs to both of them-actually saw the HO layout in use for the first time today. Also-they had a bunch of recent Micro Trains releases-which is a new offering for in the store. I picked up 6 more lights and decoders for my coaches (should be the last of them) some vehicles, tape, and two of the little Kato motors. They had quite a few, and even though I don’t have a clear idea for a project right now, the price was right so I’ll set them aside for later. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
They are Tomix-two different packs of 4. The little trucks and vans are all over Japan so I had to get them haha. And one of the red ones is a near perfect match for my wife’s little Toyota here. So had to get that set too, haha Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
If I were to ever travel to Japan, I'd probably shoot a hundred automotive pictures. As you probably know, there's a thirst for older Japanese market cars in the U.S. served by "JDM" (Japanese Domestic Market) importers.
I got an email last night. Apparently I am the proud new owner of an Atlas Ukrainian Peace car. I must have ordered that about a year ago.
Speakers and decoders. Most of the speakers are for backup in the event a sound loco needs a replacement. I've a variety of enclosure depths and speaker sizes as well for experimenting on future projects. Two of the decoders desgined for kato narrow hoods are destined to be installed in a couple of upcoming SD70Ace locos I have reserved (MRL). I wish they had these boards a few years back when I upgraded my first Ace's. I believe though that swapping out the boards rather than adding a decoder should leave enough room on the back of the chassis to install the larger 9mm x 16mm speakers shown at the bottom. If not then the smaller ones up top will definitely fit.
A bunch of used Tomytec n scale vehicles. One day I’m going to build a few modules for my Japanese prototype stuff. Figure it makes more sense to buy used ones while I live in Japan so I don’t have to pay for new ones with shipping costs. Also included was a Sherman tank-not sure the manufacturer. It may become a centerpiece in some town park or something in my next layout. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
A few European (Deutsche Reichsbahn) items arrived that have been on order for almost 2 years (still not as long as some trainworx stuff lol) The underpass pictured at top should work with an outland models platform I have. It's the laser cut cardstock but very clean and precise. Pictured below is the Minitrix DR Class 44. This acquisition was a little bit of a bumpy journey. Originally I had ordered a similar loco announced at the same time as this but that first loco was a "club" exclusive which comes with a nice wooden box and all the other accouterments with a limited run by Marklin. That loco made it in to the dealer last September but upon testing there it was found to be defective and sent back for repair. A few weeks ago I got an email from the dealer stating that Marklin did not have the parts needed to fix so basically that was done. A bit bummed but this loco had just arrived with a few still in stock. One of the differences on the one I just received is it has an oil tender vs coal on the original but it still uses the tub style which I really wanted so ok there. Most of my euro steam are lighter locomotives so I wanted to get at least a couple of heavy haulers. The 44 is a 3 cylinder version of the 2 cylinder class 43 which I also have so now I think I am set. Anyways really nice with factory running gear and cab lighting as well as firebox flicker although not certain if that was a thing for oil fired locos of that region. Still cool no matter what so I'm happy to have it. I had to get this set when it was announced mostly because of the "Knorr" branding but I also am a sucker for unusual rolling stock.
Something I just discovered on that class 44 above and that I've never seen before on an n scale model is an opening smoke box. Pretty neat so I thought I'd share.
What are the 11-105 things and the Yellow tape I guess. I assume above the Yellow item are the DCC light boards for the coaches, how do they work?
Many of Kato’s n scale coaches-some of their Japanese commuter trains, their Pullman and Nippon Sharyo bilevels, Amfleets, and Superliners are basically drop in install ready for their Kato light kits (and decoders if you run DCC)-metal wheelsets and wipers already in the trucks. The light kit comes with L-shaped copper contact strips that connect the small LED board to the long contact strips along the frame underneath the seats. If you run DCC, you can insert the decoder between the L-Shape strips and the LED. The LED shines light through the end of a ~5 inch diffuser (with a couple of score marks if you need to shorten it). That’s basically it. They are a little touchy to program-I left most of the decoders set to 03-but some are set to the coach number itself. Someday I’ll put the same coaches habitually behind the same loco and set it all to the same number for simplicity in running that consist. The 11-105s are motors designed for short wheelbase locomotives that some companies sell here in Japan. Not sure how to make it DCC, but just saving for future kitbash projects some day. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
The #11-105 are a powered two truck chassis. Very popular for use, (along with 11-106, 11-107), by HOn30 modelers as well as N scale users.
Today at a hobby shop that one of my wife’s cousins suggested I was able to find a set that I have been looking for at a good price. We rode on this train in Kyushu on an earlier trip.
Brought home an Atlas N-scale GE Dash 8-40C, decoder-ready, in KCS livery, from a local train show. Also picked up a Unitrack Doubletrack 9.75" Straight two-pack.
Those mini trucks are used a lot on the farms around here. Infact my wife's brother has one he uses to take feed to the cattle and other chores. A local company imports them and sells them fairly cheep as they are older used models and they also supply needed parts fairly quick. Just need to get used to driving from the right hand side. It's really funny to pass him on the backroads and his Lab is sitting on the left hand side looking like he's the one driving! I also remember some commuter airlines at the airport using them for carrying baggage. Ralph
Atlas 3 unit spine car set. This will work nice with a few 5 car sets I acquired back when BLMA was making them. Atlas gold GP40-2W (very nice especially for the price) and MT BNSF family series covered hopper.
