I checked my tracking on my EF66 today when I got home from my kid's. I should be able to pick it up Monday or Tuesday. *woot*
I got my EF66 today. All I can say is WOW! I took it right out of the jewel case and ran it on a short piece of Unitrack that I have set up. It ran smooth and really quiet. I just wish the red lights came on on the rear of the loco, but that's a minor thing. What surprised me was the four little packages of parts. Number boards, grab irons, little parts that go somewhere and a set of what I guess are dummy knuckle couplers to replace the rapidos. The other thing I liked was the optional grills for the front of the loco, with tabs that allow you to add the circular plaques with the passenger train names. I'll have to take some photos here in the next couple of days. I have a film camera (remember those?), so it'll take a couple of days to get them up. I have to say, I'll be getting more Japanese prototype stuff as soon as I can!
Glad you got your EF66. Here is a Japanese language article on the detail parts for a Kato EF66 that might of interest. Lots of photos. http://www.urenaimokei.com/fuzoku-EF66.html
Thanks, Bill! I'm going to need that. My EF66 is made by Tomix and I like it. Do you know what the small square piece under the side number boards are? I tried to read mine and I can't. Is it some kind of builder's plate? I'm amazed by all the small parts that can be added! Why can't Tomix make US prototype locos? lol Nice job!
Is it this? http://urenaimokei.com/photos/cars/loco/loco-E/EF66/EF66-acc/EF66-acc082.JPG I've seen something like that on trams. Its kind of a registration plate with the date of construction (in Japanese years - year of the Emperor), the weight of the vehicle, capacity information (probably as authorized by the Ministry of Transport) and other information.
There is a debate going on about this in a British magazine I get. Most new models of British diesel locomotives have working, directional red marker lights. The feeling is that they should either have an on/off switch or be left off completely because red marker lights are only used when an engine is running light, when pulling a train they are switched off as the marker lights must be on the rear of the train. Is this what you mean? I photographed this one on an EF64 in 2006, it is a builders plate stating that it was built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd, I did translate the second line once but I forget what it was though I think it is the name of the actual plant that built it (the first two characters I think are a place name that I can't place without my atlas handy and the third is electric), in year 56 of the Showa Era (1981).
Bill and Westfalen; Yep, that's it. I'd have to see if they're different, but they're so small, I doubt anyone would notice if they weren't correct. I think the spru has six or eight of them along with several choices of number plates. Westfalen, after thinking about it for a day, I'm of the same opinion. They wouldn't show up when the loco was coupled to a car anyway, so it's not a big deal that they don't work.
I'm glad you got it and that you like it. That would look really good pulling a Japanese intermodal train or a passenger train of 20 Series cars. I'm partial to the EF58 but I can see the EF66's appeal. It does have a cool "grille." Tomix makes some good stuff but they don't seem to feel the need to go after the U.S. market. I'm sorry about that because in some respects, their track system is better than Kato's (curved turnouts, really small radii curves, etc.).
There's a lot of EF Series locos that I like. I also like the EF58 and the EF57, too. I'm going to try and get a set of "Blue Train" cars to go with my EF66. I'm thinking of getting an ED75 or ED78 (I think that's it) and some freight cars to go with it. After I get some "Blue Train" cars, I think I might dip my toe into the steamer pool. Like you, I think that Hudson is really sweet. I'd love to get a model of The Swallow. But, a C51 would be nice...or a nice Pacific!
I dug up this short bit of video I took of EF66's on Blue Trains in 1994. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmuMgdH-jsg
That video was cool! I like how clean JR's locos look. I guess I won't be weathering mine! lol The crew change at the beginning was cool.
I'd always wondered why the crews would change at Atami, only 104km and just over an hour from Tokyo, but after 16 years it finally just came to me after watching it again. If you look closely they are wearing different uniforms, one is JR East, the other JR Central, Atami being the division point between the two.
I'll post pics, but AI bought a used Micro Ace ED53. I am also now in Singapore and I picked up a good deal on new minitrix DRG BR58 and a DRG LOK Glaskasten. They are all great, but sadly my new Athearn power supply went POP, so I can't play with them.
My E26 Cassiopeia Sleeper train and my 201 Series Chuo Line (Final Formation) models showed up. Pictures to follow.
i can add to this topic as i just got this loco for my passenger service.. as with all kato it is SO smooth and quite :thumbs_up::thumbs_up: kato all the way
Has anybody had the chance to see one of these liliput models in person? LILIPUT 163990 4tlg. elektr. Triebw. RABe 521 FLIRT SBB Ep.V I am curious about it's running characteristics.
They are not yet out. Lots of German model railroaders are waiting for it Not me, because it is far too modern for me. For actual information plus lots of opinions see here: 1zu160 - modellbahn-forum spur n :tb-cool: