Sweet, although the Kato stacks will handle an 11" radius (or at least my do). I'm planning to have an EF58 pull my Zephyr . . . . Since Zephyrus is the god of the west wind, we could call it the Nishikaze ("West wind"). What size HCD are you planning on using?
I'm thinking of something around 36"x82". I've also thought about just building a diorama based on some photos I have of the Feather River Canyon. If that's the case, maybe I could build a companion Japanese diorama, maybe of a urban scene in Tokyo. (btw, you really need to stop posting photos of these cool locos! lol)
That's the size I was thinking of using for a portable layout. (I've got my eye on one at HD that has a ding in it and am going to try to talk them down.) I was thinking of modifying and extending one of the Kato layout designs like The Cheap and Nothing Wasted and using UniTrak. I'd use one (or both) of the sidings that head toward the edges as transition to staging. http://www.katousa.com/cgi-bin/dl/dl.pl?dl.mif,N-plan-cheap-nothing-wasted.pdf As for the pictures, sharing pictures and stories is what I started this thread for in the first place.
The layout I was originally building before I moved into my current apt. was 3 1/2' x 6' and was going to use UniTrack. It was just going to be a simple double track oval with a divider down the middle so I could do two scenes. One side was Oroville with a yard and a small engine terminal and the other was going to be Gerlach, Nv. I think the outside curve radius was something like 13 1/2". I have a lot less room in my apt. now, so I was thinking of doing a small HCD layout based on the Tidewater Southern. It'll be cramped, but I think I can do it. Something like a small oval with a siding on one side and a few industries for switching and a rural scene on the other. Instead of a full backdrop to divide the scenes, I'll use trees.
I was thinking of freelancing and running "Q" equipment with a hill/ridge and trees down the middle as a scenic divider. I was also thinking (and in keeping with the spirit of this thread) of putting a TomyTec shrine or pagoda in a corner if I have space.
oooooo...I like that! Where did you get that? Does it come with little N scale shrine maidens? lol btw, do the pantographs on these loco work? It looks like there's something packed with the loco that looks like they might be a spare set, maybe one up and one down?
Kato models are not factory set for overhead power. With the setup/take down nature of model railroading in Japan, I don't believe a lot of people string the wire, other than on dioramas. That being said, I am also fairly sure that it wouldn't be too hard to change the models to overhead power. Reversing loop problems then become a thing of the past. The pantographs can be a bit delicate, though, and I've messed up a couple. The shrine and pagoda models are by Tomytec and I've found them available on eBay. I'm pretty sure most small Japanese shrines don't have shrine maidens.
I may have to search for that shrine...just to have. Shrines and shrine maidens are a big thing in anime, so I had to ask. lol The one thing that's kept me from getting into electric locos is stringing that overhead. There are some very cool electric locos in the US, but it's nice for my first to be a Japanese prototype.
My brother has the Tomytec shrine, it looks good, he's planning to build a module for it. I've wandered into a few shrines in Japan but I've never seen any shrine maidens, maybe they saw me first.:tb-wink: Most Japanese just model the overhead masts without the actual catenary, as said, it's easier to set up temporary layouts but it also makes track cleaning easier. I've done it that way on my small Japanese layout and plan doing the same on some Japanese T-TRAK modules I'm thinking of doing.
I think I'll do the same if I build a Japanese diorama. I can't imagine stringing N scale wire! If I can get a layout started, I won't need overhead, I'd just like someplace to run my EF66 when I get it. Hobby Search sells the shinto shrine, although it's "sold out" (my luck!) and they sell...*woot* shrine maiden figures!
Another question...are there several numbers (or number boards) packed with the model? I looks like the area where the number is on the front is empty, like something goes there.
On Kato's japanese loc you usually have to add some bits and to choose the serial number. When not (Tomix and Microace) the number is written on the name of the item. A particular model, if a EF65, will the read, EF65 - XXXX.
Plaza Japan has the shrines in stock and will ship it SAL, he is sometimes good for things that are sold out elsewhere. Japanese Shinto Shrine - Tomytec 1/150 scale (N scale) - eBay Track Accessories, N Scale, Model RR, Trains, Toys Hobbies. (end time 25-Oct-09 11:44:00 AEDST)
The EF66 that was in this thread posted earlier is definatelly a model where one can choose his serial number.
That's the one I've reserved. I see at Hobby Search they have a Kato version in stock as well, but I think it was a few bucks more. Thanks, Westfalen. I'll have to check that out. Tomytec has some cool figures to go with the shrine as well.
Westfalen - You really have a nice collection of Foreign trains but which one is your favorite and why?
That's like asking which of your kids is your favorite.:tb-biggrin: For a quick answer I'd have to say the Kato '0' series Shinkansen that started me off with Japan in 1989, to me it says 'Japan' and it still flies around the N-TRAK layout like a bat out of hell. I also like my HO Bachmann Chinese SY class 2-8-2 that I picked up as a souveneir in Beijing after seeing the real ones in service hauling coal, it started me on a small collection of Chinese HO.
I would have to say the same thing, there are so many I like but for me it was the 787 Tubame that got it all started. I then saw the Bullet trains and I started collecting them.
I've got the Kato Nozomi 500. After riding one in Japan I just had to have it, the second coolest train ever built. 2nd only to the Rap!T which I also rode, but it is almost impossible to find, and as already stated very expensive when you do.
