What is your opinion on the handrails on the DD units? I get the impression that that part is oversized but I am just looking at videos or adds. Also which power chassis are you using for them?
Yes, the handrails are pretty chunky, but for me it's not an issue. They could probably be removed and replaced with something smaller, but unless it is right up in your grill it's not too bad. I am more concerned with being able to handle them without fear of destroying the details. Besides, they are not in scale with the length either. I just they would make a neat little switcher. It's your call. I have not gotten the power chassis as of yet, and was leaning towards the Bandai units, but Randgust says the Kato chassis are a better choice. Not sure which I will get now, lol Trey
There is supposed to be a Kato 4 axles powered vs the two axles powered with the 11-105. There is a Bandai all 4 axles powered mechanism for sure and it would be better with either one over the two axle powered versions with a switcher.
John, modeling Japanese prototype lends itself well to working in smaller spaces. Buildings can be narrower, streets can be narrower, buildings are commonly close to ROW, etc and it's all prototypical. I have both Shinkansen and ordinary passenger trains in my collection. I run the Shinkansens on Ntrak layouts and my ordinary trains, sometimes shortened to a max of 4 cars on a display layout called AsiaNrail. Here is a link to some of my modeling of Japanese prototype: Tokyo-in-N-Scale Under the label of prototype information that shows a few smaller passenger operations.
Yes as I have found in my attempts to get a smaller layout in a compact space yet have operational potential. With the passenger cars I have chosen I can get a three car train in about the same space as a single 85 foot passenger car and when I compare them with the 34 foot cars I have they fit better. I can placed a three car train at any of my small stations and they look good. Other than some TomyTec buildings and ships I have I probably won't mess with anything more with maybe the exception of the small containers and container cars. The 2nd order to complete my passenger power collection has started coming in slowly in bits and pieces. First in was the resupply of Turtle Creek decals from MS. Then followed today by two more power chassis using the Kato 11-107 chassis this time. Tomorrow something is coming in and I don't know if it is the running wheels to do an un-powered car or another cab car/trailing car set. Shot of the current cars with their newly applied decals. All the cab cars have odd numbers while the trailing cars carry even numbers. Minimal lettering with cab car carrying the road name and trailer carrying the Turtle. There is no room for the slogan The Route of the Dashing Turtle. Still haven't decided on whether to apply roof air horns and I am going to have to paint the Kato chassis cover black as it shows through the side wimdows. 100_4943-1 by John Moore posted Mar 22, 2016 at 2:31 PM
Well I figured out which of the orders I have coming tomorrow, another cab car and trailer car set and the reason it is early is the outfit is out of California. The rest are winding their way from Japan. After some thought I took the plunge and ordered the Bandai B Train Power Chassis 3. It is more powerful than the standard Bandai power chassis and the Kato 105, 106, and 107 series. This is the one I believe has all 8 wheels powered and comes without the truck side frames. The side frames are included with the car body or locomotive kits. Gives me some flexibility if I take the plunge and order a diesel kit eventually. I found a short video that has the diesels I keep looking at plus the container cars with the small containers that I think will go fine in the port scene and my smaller ships. Further in the video they have a single diesel pulling a string and I think that is with the Bandai 3 power chassis. Moves along too good to be the Kato or Bandai single truck powered chassis. This video doesn't launch like some of the others so go in the middle of the screen and hit the watch on YouTube that is underlined. Everything seen is B Train shorties.
Your cars look good. Funny how just adding decals makes so much difference. I saw the container cars and was intrigued by them also. I know the purists will not be impressed, but I can see a place for some of the B-train stuff. Can't wait to hear the verdict on the Bandai chassis. Trey
There are a number of smaller sized containers some at only 10 feet, and are used in Japan as well as elsewhere, and by our military. And I am freelancing and modeling an island based railroad with a port that has intercoastal shipping on small vessels. Larger containers would not fit in the holds or on the decks. Thinking about the sawmill shipping fine cut furniture grade hardwoods by rail and then by my lumber carrying ship as deck cargo from the port. And two sets of them (4 cars each) would be just enough. I got a deal on the mechanisms on Amazon for the same retail as I would get the Katos from my LHS and free shipping. Figure about three weeks until they are in my hands and I can put them on the test track and see if they are good for 10 to 14 cars on grades.
Nope. Just staying with the concept of smaller power and cars. Main power is the 44 and 70 tonners and the steam mostly is small drivered 2-6-0s and the geared locos. Biggest power on the roster is a MicroAce 0-6-6-0 and a RS-1. The cars are for the most part 34, 37, and 40 foot with a few 50 foot. The diesel I am looking at would be a replacement for the two remaining SW units. Two have already been replaced by two 70 tonners which are far better runners.
Great video, First time I've seen someone model the full train Shinkansens with the short cars. Those container trains are also impressive. That's just the way I've seen them run too, short and fast. Often at night when the passenger traffic is down. Just like in the US, mostly COFC and tank car unit trains. That's quite a nice layout he has there too ! The crowded platforms in the big station are quite impressive.
Doesn't eat up or need the space that a full size model would. However those trains just don't fit into my modeling plan. The first set of my 2nd order of the 3000 series car arrived today. There must be a US based Bandai dealer in Las Vegas as that is where they originated from. Decided that since I just needed the cab cars for 2 three or four unit sets I would take the extra trailer cars and try to come up with a short two car train. To that end I successfully grafted an extra cab car end from the previous set to the trailer car. I will do the same when the 2nd set arrives.The modification is seen on the back car in the photo. The cab front is more straight up and down. The end section seen on the right is what was supposed to have been there. 100_4944-1 by John Moore posted Mar 24, 2016 at 4:49 PM This two car set will end up with one power unit giving me three sets of passenger trains. I will end up with two extra cars in the yard when I am done. To the parts box next to graft on a pilot plow. The truck side frames seen on these are Bandai's. The Kato mechanisms have a molded side frame on the truck that cannot be removed, however Bandai's mechanism accepts these trucks side frames from the kits. While Kato's mechanism has two styles of commuter side frames I like these far better as far as details and appearance.
I have been thinking of how to tighten the spacing between cars. Tried a MT 1015 box won't fit in the provided coupler box but a Z scale will. First I had to cut the post out of the box that the Bandai couplers clip on to. Then drill out for the machine screw. Tried just two cars to see how the fit was and I improved the spacing. Z scale coupler equipped in front in photo. 100_4945-2 by John Moore posted Mar 24, 2016 at 8:09 PM That's as tight as I want to get them I believe operating on 8 inch radius.
An update on using the Z scale coupler. Problems with it interfering with the power chassis truck swing due to length of coupler housing box. I think if I want to do anything at all it will be to make my own shorter draw bars or just live with it. Tinkered with the kit bashed cab car some more and added the snow plow pilot. 100_4947-1 by John Moore posted Mar 25, 2016 at 5:12 PM
Finished up the kit bashed cab car, including decals. For this set at least I am adding airhorns and another set of headlights. When the 2nd car set arrives I will take the trailer car and kitbash a twin so this will be a two car set. Kitbash is on the right. 100_4948-1 by John Moore posted Mar 26, 2016 at 2:10 PM I had originally ordered one Bandai power unit anticipating a diesel when I found one. Found instead a set with two in the box cheaper than I could buy one so I turned around and ordered a 2nd power unit. These are the all wheels powered ones.I also bought some sets of trucks by Kato so I could run the center cars of the three unit sets as unpowered with a powered cab car on each end. So when all is said and done I will have 2 three car trains and 1 two car train, plus 2 extra coaches. Hopefully when the new all axle power chassis arrive they will have adequate tractive effort to allow me to retire the last of the SWs.
Did some more work on the Bandai cabs today. I turned the automotive style headlights into trailing lights then applied a twin sealed beam headlight. Gave them all roof mounted air horns. Painted the Kato power chassis black so it does't show through the windows. Mounted the truck side frames that I may have to use with the non powered trucks I have on order, and painted them black. The non powered under frame is on the right next to the power chassis. The other under frames are for display only. 100_4952-1 by John Moore posted Mar 29, 2016 at 1:28 PM So awaiting the next set which will give me the final cab car to complete two three car trains. The extra coach gets converted to a cab car like the one on the left for a two car train. Still coming across the wide Pacific is my two diesels and the Bandai power unit 3s for each.
John, how are you using these? As municipal light rail? They are definitely cute. I've toyed with getting the Shinkansen bullet train versions of these.
My version of the Turtle Creek Central is located on an island off the Washington coast. Using small light power the road serves the Port of Friday Harbor and the facilities there. It also serves a number of industries inland on the island and a vibrant tourism trade. Car exchange with the Great Northern and SP&S on the mainland is by car float and the island is served by ferry and seaplane. The roads have never been the best on the island and it has always been served by passenger rail service. That service was originally by way of short wooden coaches pulled by steam or one of the small diesels. In early 1950s the management decided to improve the service and save money thus the mini RDCs were born. Since the line is a point to point there was a cost and trouble having to turn equipment at both ends of the line. Two three car sets of self propelled cars were bought from Japan which featured a control cab at each end. Each train makes two trips of the line daily. The trains became so popular that a slightly different 2 car set was purchased to handle times of increased traffic. The line also handles mail and express via a mixed train service. A short RPO and a combine are tacked on the daily run in place of a caboose and it makes one round trip. Management is currently exploring whether another car added to the three car mini RDCs could replace the mixed train service and give RPO and express service on them. However the platforms at the stations would have to be lengthened and management is considering whether to spring for the expense. The main line is characterized by sharp turns and grades and the line has a definite narrow gauge flavor. Passing sidings are short and freight trains are usually not more than 10 to 14 cars. On this line passenger gives way to freight and the little RDCs are able to duck in a siding with car lengths not more than 32 feet, or about a little over 100 foot for a train. So on the island these are mainline passenger. And that's my story and I am sticking to it.
