Pretty straight forward, I'm used to Kato's steamers and how good they are. Would I be disappointed in the Tomix stuff?
I got two little 2-8-0's (the ones with the three axle tenders) back in the 90's. Nice running and pull very well, especially for their size. Haven't used them since I switched to DCC.
No you won't be disappointed. When I was in Japan last month, Tomix is actually more popular than Kato. I would say at least 2:1 if not 3:1. Tomix is the 800 lb gorilla. The Japanese people do not tolerate crap. Everything is strived for perfection there. The only thing "bad" from our point of view is that Tomix is DCC UNfriendly whereas Kato is. In Japan DCC is uncommon. Still working on my pictures from Japan but I'll see if I can get a good picture of the extensiveness of Tomix for you when I get back to my computer.
Here is a picture of ONE-QUARTER(!) of Tomix stuff at a hobby store that I visited in Osaka (Kids Land). They also have Kato, Greenmax (didn't even know they make locos and rolling stock!) and Micro Ace. I'm hoping to start a thread next month about my trip and train experience in Japan. Both 1:1 and N-Scale. It was mind boggling. I hope people don't mind as it's not really "model railroading" per se.
I’m looking forward to your thread, MK. I think it qualifies as model railroading in general and N scale in particular.
I wish everything came in those book cases. Trains would be so much easier to store. But then again, it'd be easier for your wife to see just how many trains you really have.
Actually you can buy Tomix and Kato empty cases with different foam cutouts. Hard to find in the US but readily available in Japan. They are not that expensive too. You can find book jacket graphics on the internet, print them out to size and wrap the cases with them. Put them on a bookshelf and your wife will think you are an avid reader. AND, visitors to your house will think you are oh so sophisticated and educated! Some suggested titles: Of Mice and Men Catcher in the Rye A sprinkle of Plato and Socrates The Iliad and Odyssey (this will require a double set) Dante's Inferno Don Quixote To Kill a Mocking Bird Brave New World
I'll add on to what's been said. I have a Tomix JNR Class 9600 2-8-0 (in DC) and it runs exceptionally well.
Mine is lettered PRR, but it's clearly a JNR prototype. I'm uncertain if they offer any true North American models.
The 9600, C50s and C58s can all pass for North American steam. And I am looking forward to the new 9600 arriving and comparing it to my Kato unit.
Staging yards that go through walls into adjoining rooms just scream “Look at me!!!! I’m busted!!!!” Staging yards and sidings that are tucked under mountains on the layout keep their secrets. Maybe a dedicated close-range security camera under the mountain for yard management. “Answering for (ahem) a friend.”
I will say that Tomix Shinkansen are better (more accurate) than Katos, but you have to have a special flux to be able to solder to stainless steel, which they use for power rails in the motor cars to DCC. Katos have the same drop in em12. That the 4449 uses.
I'm not inclined to trade. At my age I'm more inclined to sell off some or most of my accumulation. But there are problems with that as I have changed my mind from time to time on just what I want to sell. Also, I am considering having analog operations and those will fit in well with my other non-DCC locomotives.
