International Prototype Models - What You've Got and What's New Edit: I just realized that "International" better conveys my intent for the thread than "Foreign." We seem to have been having fun on the "Why are Bullet Trains Taboo" thread and have taken it in some interesting directions. As much as I love "The Q," I also love finding cool models of any prototype. I was going to say "Japanese Prototype Models" but then I realized, I have some pretty cool European prototype models, too. I'd like to hear what everyone else enjoys and any tips they've learned. I'll start off with my '70s Arnold model of the Swiss SBB Ce 6/8 "Crocodile." I love the drive with the side rods of the prototype. With a die cast shell and brass gears, the model is built to last and is a fairly smooth runner but I have no idea how conversion to DCC is going to work. I don't have a photo of mine so I borrowed this photo.
I could say all my US trains are foreign prototype.:tb-wink: I just finished putting decoders in these two, Dapol Terrier and Graham Farish (Bachmann) class 04 diesel shunter. I've got to do a bit of work on the diesel's pickup, out of the box the brass wipers were only touching two wheels and in typical Bachmann fashion the mechanism seemed to have been dipped in oil at the factory. Otherwise it runs ok and the photo doesn't do justice to the detail. I picked up the Flieschmann German railcar for $100 from a guy a the club who had a box full of stuff from a deceased estate, it took 10 minutes to put a decoder in and it runs like a dream, the mechanism prototypically tilts the cars as it goes round curves.
I like this new thread and here are some of my other "non-Japanese" trains. I have a Swiss Crocodile but the Minitrix version and I have the same problem about fitting a decoder in it. (The photo I took is out of focus so I won't post it) Here are some other foreign prototypes I have:
I was up at the Bluebell Railway last month; STEPNEY's boiler ticket has expired and she won't be under steam again for 3-5 years, due to engine rotation. They have approx 30 engines but only need up to 6-7 under steam at a time to run their services.
I love Dapol Terriers and not jut because of Thomas Do you have any experience with the Grahm Farrish A3 Flying Scotsman? I have to admit I bought the Hornby live steam Mallard set and picked up the Flying Scotsman to go with it. I was considering one in N scale if I thought it was a good runner.
Hello to all again! As to hi speed trains - there are europian ICE trains with operating pantographs. And the best model - Fleishmann ICE1 and ICE-T ICE3 havent any good model.
I have to admit that the reason I picked Stepney out of the Terriers Dapol did is that it was the one that 'starred' in Thomas. The Terrier and 04 are the only British locos I have at the moment so I can't say from personal experience what the Graham Farish A3 is like, but from running sessions on a former club member's British layout their early products from the days before before Bachmann took over were, well, lets just say even the old Bachmann would have been an improvement. Another British modeling member turned to US prototype when he decided to go with DCC and prototype operating sessions because the British models at the time just wouldn't run reliably enough. The British model railway magazines give good reviews of recent releases from Graham Farish and others. Maybe someone who owns an A3 could tell us what they are like, if they are a recent release or an older one that has been worked over by Bachmann they could be ok.
Here is a little something I picked up recently. It's an E217 Series Yokosuka-Sobu line suburban train. The prototype is special in that it comes into Tokyo Station via the Tokyo tunnel which requires, for use in the event of an emergency, a front door. I really like the double deck sections as well. Who was it who said that once you start with Japanese models, you can't stop with just one?
And on the 3'6" narrow gauge too, the double deck cars are Green Cars (first class) as denoted by the small green four leaf clover symbol. If you're ever in Japan and splurge out on a first class Japan Railpass you can ride up there and get away from the hoards of commuters. On some sections of the route they run 15 car trains! Or you can stand up the front and look out over the engineer's shoulder.:tb-biggrin:
It's been 10 years since I was in Japan but next year the "Okusan" and I want to get back to see the in-laws. We also talked about doing some sightseeing by train. When I was in Japan (and not in the trainless desert that is Okinawa), I spent a lot of time riding the Chuo line - loved the 201 series and no matter how packed they were, there always seemed to be a little space around the big gaijin. We also took an E2 on the line to Nagano. I've currently got a MicroAce Keio line set enroute from Japan. I'll share pictures when it arrives.
I've been trying to upload some more photos to my album but its not working at the moment. I'll have to try again tomorrow. A friend and I rode the Nagano Shinkansen back in 1997 a week after the line opened. We did a round trip from Tokyo one day but on the day we left Tokyo we decided to go overnight via Nagano to Kyoto. We arrived at Tokyo station early so we caught an earlier train that only went as far as Karuizawa and picked up the last through train of the night to Nagano from there. I remember the two of us sitting in the otherwise deserted, huge, brand new Shinkansen station at Karuizawa for an hour or so waiting for our train. Our train from Nagano just after midnight was, unexpectedly to us, an also brand new tilt train, after we left the last major stop at Matsumoto I did a quick walk through the train and counted 37 passengers in the six cars, so I turned the seat in front around to make an improvised bunk and went to sleep. The next thing I remember was waking up during the station stop in Nagoya with the car filling with newspaper reading commuters for the trip to Kyoto.
I wish I had a photo or two to post, but I have yet to get myself a foreign train. I'm thinking that my next model purchase is going to be a Japanese prototype, something small (one or two cars) for use once I get my layout started. I have some other stuff on order from Hobby Search in Japan so it'll probably be after the new year.
I've moved quite a bit for work the last few years and have been sans a layout (other than the UniTrak set-up on the table and the Christmas display at work). I've been collecting sets for future applications. For something small, I really like the looks of those Kato Eizan two car sets. I'll check the MicroAce catalog for interesting ideas as well.
I don't know if you are running DC or DCC on your layout but Tomytec has released the new Portram which is small and reasonable in price. (Kato hasn't released their version yet) Here is a video of it being tested out on various radii: [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpk8eBcwr2E&feature=related"]YouTube - Ｎゲージ鉄é“模型 走行実験№64 鉄é“コレクション 富山ライトレール[/ame]
Benard, The lefthand thumbnail photo on your post looks like a 10-wheeler. If so who makes it, and where can I find one? It looks as though it could be 'Americanized'. Thanks Ernie C
That 4-6-0 appears to be a Fleischmann model which, if it is, I "Americanized" somewhat a few years ago. Tender powered, free wheeling loco.
I know the feeling. I have several Sam Adams 12 pack cases full of my N scale stuff. Right now, I'm trying to figure out a way to make room for a layout. There's a N scale Japanese train, which the name escapes me, that I like that I'd have to look for again. It's not a one or two car traain, but something about it strikes me the right way. lol
