I noticed the different packaging and wondered. I think you are right. It makes sense that it was made for the Japanese market.
Wow, Plaza Japan and Hobby Search have quite a selection. Next time I have a YEN for some more Shinkansen I'll go there for sure. Thanks for the tip on Amazon Japan, had no idea. The item I am considering is a Kato Orient Express 5 car set that looks interesting.
Glad to help with your addiction. . Wait until you see how quickly your stuff arrives, often faster than domestic vendors.
To my surprise, the RS2 from Atlas has suddenly arrived! It wasn't showing as having shipped even from the factory yet. It still doesn't show as having shipped (on the Atlas website) as I type this. Nevertheless, they suddenly appeared at a number of shops. So I grabbed the two Southern units. A nice surprise for me!
Got an old Bachmann flatcar for $10. Bought mainly for the Micro-Trains trucks with couplers and American Model Builders crated with bracing.
Sounds like you did real good, dualgauge. The old Bachman car isn't worth much but the MT trucks and couplers and the crate are certainly worth more than $10.
Scenery materials aren't pretty but they make your layout pretty. It's nice when you get an unexpected surprise like that.
Probably the least exciting purchase, but I finally got one of those little cigarette case-style holders for mini drill bits. After twenty years I finally got tired of sorting my drill bits based on "I don't know what number it is but it looks small enough"!
Yeah, years ago, I kept all my small bits in a clear plastic tube and had to measure them with a caliper after looking up what the desired bit should be. The only two I kept separate were the tap and clearance bits for Kadee (MT) couplers and I painted the end of the tap bit red for easy identification I finally bought a set of bits from Mike Fifer in a round base with a place for each size and a gauge (a flat plate with holes in it) to use for loose bits. Doug
Yep, the tube-and-MT-set was the exact arrangement I used for all these years. My MT #62 drill bit disappearing into the general population one time too many finally pushed me over the edge
Well, my first of some low-ball purchases I made arrived last night from Japan. Less than a week to arrive, it is one of Kato's little C50s, I love these little beasts. Gonna put a knuckle coupler on it and decal it up for the Gorre & Daphetid.
Had a pack show up today from a fleabay auction. Asked and found out it was a Kato F3, so went ahead and grabbed it. Also has several decent buildings in the box.
Finally arrived! A nice happy family photo. Here are the details for those who were inquiring about ordering from Japan (@cbg). The order was from Plaza Japan. They are based in Osaka. Approximate costs of the items is $450 and shipping was $50 using DHL Worldwide Express. It's the fastest and costliest. There are much cheaper options but may take a few weeks to get to you. They also offer FedEx and UPS Express at similar prices. I chose DHL due to @John Moore's recommendation. I've also heard that DHL is better for international shipping. NO customs or any additional taxes or fees. Plaza Japan bills in Yens. This is GREAT as your best currency conversion rate is that from your credit card company. Use one that have no international transaction fees (most Amex and Amazon VISA). So check currency rates and order when it's the most advantageous. The dollar is EXTREMELY strong against the Yen right now. It took one week from placing the order to shipping. This is very unusual for Plaza Japan. They usually take 1-3 days, as stated on their website and other people's experience. My guess is one of two things. The holidays and we all know everybody buys trains for the holidays. The other possibility is that a few of the items that I ordered were so low in stock that it's actually out of stock when they went and picked the items and they had to restock from their distributors. You know, Home Depot's website says they have 1 in stock. There's a 50/50 chance they actually have the item. Shipping was RIDICULOUSLY fast! It was shipped Monday and delivery was Thursday afternoon when the DHL truck pulled up. This was Osaka in Western Japan to NYC metro area! The box was in perfect condition. They taped all edges and corners. They did it SO well that there were no bubbles in the tape. Inside, everything was packed in a way that all items fit into their respective nooks and crannies to the point very insulation was used. They all became each other's insulation to prevent movement. Ingenious! And for those who are eco-minded, they use newspaper for packing material. No plastic peanuts or bubble wrap. SIDE NOTE 1: I had a good chuckle when I saw this on the side of the box. I told my wife I'm an Important Person now. She just rolled her eyes. SIDE NOTE 2: Confession. Two other club members went in on the order with me to split the shipping. Not everything you see is mine. Say 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 of what you see. I pranked my wife but it back fired. When she saw all this laid out on the coffee table, she asked "You ordered all this???!!!!" I said "Yes!" just to see her reaction. She said "Oh! Nice!" and walked off as if nothing happened. You know what this means? More orders from Plaza Japan! Or there will be a BMW on the driveway on Christmas with my wife saying "Look what I bought!!!"
MK- Thank you for your call-out on the customs information, you just helped me make the decision to proceed on the purchase.....
No problem! Remember to post pictures of YOUR haul when it shows up. I'm already starting another list.
After an unexpected long wait for this to ship, it arrived Friday evening. Probably in over my head here but we shall see.
BNSF FAN, I can't wait to see how this turns out for you. I have looked at one of those for myself. I really like Showcase Miniatures products, in fact I built their farm grain truck and a USPS delivery truck. Both turned out really good and were a lot fun to build. Hope the same for you on this one. Ralph
