Everything in my orders from them have been at least 4 weeks or longer. Previous order from Japan directly took 10 days and that was because it was slowed up by customs in NY. Figure this one will be about the same. Researching the coupler issue is almost like looking for water in the Sahara as far as the internet goes. There is a Japanese modelers site with a sub section that is quite extensive on Bandai. Came across a comment there about using a Kato automatic coupler. Still researching to try and determine which Kato coupler. The orders I have outstanding are still the running trucks, passenger is Kato and freight is Bandai, and the two diesels. Being I had the issue of the Bandai mechanisms not accepting the MT 1129s I'm halfway expecting that same issue with the freight running trucks of theirs. However I won't know that until I get them in my hands. The Unimates I used in testing the Kato 107 and the Bandai chassis fit with just a small amout of sanding on the Unimate T portion to get a fit in the Bandai coupler box. The Unimate fit perfectly in the Kato box. The passenger cars are a whole different story. If one is going to use the Bandai drawbars or couplers there is a end piece in the kits that is installed that has a coupler box. If one uses the running trucks with truck mounted couplers or a power chassis with truck mounted couplers then one uses the end piece without the coupler box. Both the Kato running trucks for them and the Kato power chassis take the MT 1129, or for even closer coupling the 1128. So with them I can get away from the Rapidos without any issue. An interesting note is that I found in my researches the some of the Bandai B train kits are sold in some train stations there.
Well after a senior nap I tackled the coupler issue yet again going from the point that Kato has something that fits in that box replacing the Rapidos. Found the Kato 11-707 a two piece coupler that comes in multi packs. Lots of references to use in Tomix and other Japanese stuff but no specific reference to Bandai. But it is a drop in in the T shank box. 100_4993-1 by John Moore posted Apr 10, 2016 at 2:44 PM Couples to MT but not to the Unimates. And of course it does not have auto uncoupling. Went digging in the coupler parts box and after a minute came out with a pair, and sure enough they dropped right in the Bandai box with no modifications or anything. So another option to the Rapido problem. Still the hunt is on for the illusive auto coupler that fits without modifications. And a update Tomix also makes a coupler again non auto. Short video of both getting installed. The Tomix looks better.
Yesterday evening I decaled the DE-10 and shot a photo with the LL SW-8 and SW-9. 100_4994-1 by John Moore posted Apr 11, 2016 at 7:54 AM Those are Kato airhorns on the roof and the replacement of the railings and extension of the end platforms have added a different flavor to this model. Going to wait until I have the proper mechanism in hand before I attempt any additional weight. No further news on a coupler other than previously posted, but I went on the Japanese modeler's site and posted an inquiry as to operating couplers on Bandai locomotives. Another week begins waiting for orders at week four. Most recent orders from Japan directly already have a Japan Post shipping number. Figure that I will get the Japan direct orders before I see another Amazon order in the post at my door. And my one Shay is still at the shop at Atlas for repair coming up on the 4 to 6 week time period so hopefully I will get news of its being shipped back to me soon.
Well a lone set of Kato passenger running trucks arrived today and immediately I slipped a short shank Unimate in them and snapped them into the under frame. What a difference it made on the spacing between cars. The cabs already had Unimates. Finally one complete train ready to roll. 100_4995-4 by John Moore posted Apr 11, 2016 at 4:46 PM The back set has the standard draw bar and you can see the difference, If I install a set of American Limited diaphragms on just the center car I pretty much can eliminate any gap. The reason some of this stuff is dribbling in is unfortunately some of Amazon's vendors not having adequate stock. Thus I have the same truck on order through Amazon with three different vendors. There is a plus in going direct to a big dealer in Japan.
I can play more with these versions. Because of the car design and under frame I have a little more leeway. On the mail express set I have a MT 1015. Found I had just enough space to install a mounting pad for the front. Stayed with a Unimate for the rear though. So thinking about that diesel in that regard. But I'll wait until I have the mechanism in hand and see what type of space I have to deal with.
Well two more orders trickled in from Amazon this PM and at long last my freight trucks were on of them. The other was my DD-51 diesels. I suspected that the MT 1129s would not fit those freight trucks just from my experience with the diesel. Was right. Broke out the Unimate short shanks which have to have the T shank sanded and the T trimmed back some which will make them work. Modified Unimate below. 100_4996-1 by John Moore posted Apr 13, 2016 at 2:48 PM The cars are designed to operate as pairs with the railing at each end of a pair. Using the Unimates to join a pair and at the other ends I will use a Kato coupler as it plays nicer with an MT the the others. This order gives me just enough trucks to do the inside coupling. I have to wait on another order to do the outside ends. 100_4997-2 by John Moore posted Apr 13, 2016 at 2:48 PM The pair with the Unimates is in front while the back set has the Bandai couplers. My order from a dealer in Japan has shipped already and is sitting at a Japan Post Facility adjacent to Tokyo airport. I love their tracking. Even shows you on a map where it is at. That has my correct mechanisms for the diesels and my Kato couplers. Suspect it will be in California tomorrow and then in NYC the next day. Probably be available at the Mosby branch post office Monday. I took a sneak peek at the DD-51s and get the impression that the railings seem to not be as thick as on the DE-10. I might be able to live with them and if not I have replacement end rails and have made wire side rails in advance.
Spent some time on the Japan Modelers site this AM chatting. Re-afirmed the conclusion I had come to that Japanese layout are mainly and running layouts and very few are switching layouts. All which most likely points out the issue with couplers on the Bandai diesels and the lack of an operating coupler. So once again I have tread into unexplored areas. So lets see where this journey takes me this time.
Today I worked on the DD-51 shells. This time I got smart and installed the Tungsten putty weights while assembling. A lot easier since these critters have an inner shell and a gap between the inner and outer shells. I had to go back and partially disassemble the DE-10 to do the same thing and it was a pain. Now have the weight of just the shell at least twice the weight of the mechanism that was pulling 13 cars on the level a few days ago. The number 5 mechanisms I have coming should be here by Monday. A number 3 mechanism trickled in from Amazon today and it is under one of the cab cars of the mail/express train. 100_4998-1 by John Moore posted Apr 14, 2016 at 4:03 PM For whatever reason the handrails on these are a tad thinner, still too thick, but I can live with them. As shown below, the most recent additions to the TCC roster,setting on their display chassis with the dummy trucks. Over the next day or two I will decaling them, adding airhorns and finally the mechanisms, and wrestling with couplers. Bandai's design for an auto coupler is seen on them, round magnets. They certainly hold, strong little things, but just don't blow my dress up. 100_5000-3 by John Moore posted Apr 14, 2016 at 4:03 PM
It does with the colors. Challenge for tomorrow is figuring out how to decal them, not sure I can fit the road name on them like I did the DE-10. Going to use my white turtle on that blue though. All three mechanisms are sitting in NY now and indicating that they have been through customs. Not bad I ordered them on the 10th of this month from Japan and today they are sitting in NY.
I have them but these don't seem to be as bad to me as the DE-10 model so I may leave well enough alone.
Finished the decals this AM and now sitting and awaiting delivery of the mechanisms that are about 30 miles from my home as of this AM. Mechanisms, air horns, and couplers are remaining. Finally the test track and see how many cars I can get behind one with the weighted shell and four geared axles. 100_5001-1 by John Moore posted Apr 15, 2016 at 10:07 AM Meanwhile while I wait on the mechanism went back and secured the truck side frames to the freight trucks on the container flats. Just a tad of ACC applied with the dental pick seen in the photo.I still have a set of gray trucks winding their way to me so I can complete these. The black trucks are the display trucks and non running. 100_5002-2 by John Moore posted Apr 15, 2016 at 10:07 AM With nothing in the mail today I decided to create a cheater car out one of the brown Bandai cars I have for a business and excursion train. Since I am going to use a 4-4-0 to pull it on the grades and have at least five cars behind it I am going to power one of them with my extra Bandai power chassis #3. I want MTs on the cars so I made a coupler pad with some .060 X.080 styrene to mount some MT 1015s. I found earlier that the Z scale couplers have too long of a coupler box and it interferes with truck swivel. 100_5003-4 by John Moore posted Apr 15, 2016 at 3:20 PM Middle car in the photo has the pads. And since the diesels have a similar end assembly my answer to the coupler issue with them.Have just enough space to install a mounting pad. Had a phone call from Atlas today reference my Shay. The issue was the worm gear not contacting the main gear as I suspected. They fixed the issue only to have it repeatedly come out of adjustment again numerous times. So bottom line they can't fix it permanently. At least they have it in their hands to play with a figure out what went wrong at the factory in the manufacturing. Inquired of by them if road name was an issue and it wasn't. So a new, tested there in the shop Shay, will be headed my way next week and the Turtle Creek will once again have it's full roster of four Shays. First time ever using Atlas warranty and repair service and it pays to just box it up and send it to them up in New Jersey and not try and mess with it. Besides it was something neither I or anyone else could fix anyway.
Picked up my order of mechanisms and my couplers, Bandai power unit 5s and Kato couplers this AM from the Post Office. I had a bear of a time to install the MT 1015s on one. Had to cut off coupler pockets and then reverse the trucks, and in the process almost messed up the mechanism but I recovered due to burning copious amounts of incense, playing Japanese music, and imploring the N scale train gods. It was such a hassle that the other two got Kato couplers dropped in the coupler pockets Moral of the story, use Japanese parts on Japanese locos. Less hassle. So they now await the test track. 100_5004-1 by John Moore posted Apr 16, 2016 at 7:19 PM Also finished the last passenger train in the very back, another three car consist of two cab cars and center coach. And one car short of finishing the mail/express. Adapted MT trucks to the mail storageexpress boxcar and the post office car. The passenger cab has a Bandai #3 power chassis and the express cab has a Kato 107 power chassis. Gets one more coach and a reefer so it has more than adequate power for the grades. Still awaiting running trucks for the remaining cars and the last mechanism to make my cheater car.
Tested the three diesels this AM after breakfast. Even shot a short video during the testing but alas it wasn't on the camera after I had reviewed it and went to download. Had a double headed set running on the 9.75 inch radius middle track with a 34 car consist and 15 car consist behind the single diesel on on the 11 inch radius outer track. Very satisfied since a mainline freight on my small layouts is not more than 10-12 cars and the grade is double or triple headed. Nice slow speed control much better than the old SWs they replaced and they are being permanently retired. The Turtle Creek Central has three new diesels joining the fleet of 44 and 70 tonners. Plus I can get replacement parts for them unlike the SWs.
Well I was cleaning out some photo files on my computer this AM and discovered my lost video of the Bandai diesel test.
Earlier I did grade testing with the Bandai #3 mechanism. The #5 is the same mechanism just with a different frame and the same weight. I ultimately filled out the big consist to 34 cars. With extra weight in the shells I expected about double the performance and did achieve that. Since I will limit my train length this is about three times what I will normally operate with and will double head those grades as a standard practice. When I built the Hog Wallow layout I had 6% grades and 8 inch radius in that small space. The layout planned for after the move will be a bit larger so I will be able to lessen the grade some, although it will still have some power robbing 8 inch radius. For an example of what effect the curvature has on performance just look at the video. The double headed consist is on 9.75 radius and the single locomotive is on 11 inch radius. That inner track is my 8 inch radius These locos match the hauling capacity of the 44 and 70 tonners, and even though they have less weight than the LL SWs they are matching them in pulling power. The weight is concentrated on a shorter wheelbase and they have the advantage of having a traction tire also. Even with all their weight the SWs could barely handle 8 cars up the old grade double headed. As a replacement for the SWs these are superb, the mechanisms just snap out of the shells and back in again. Maintenance is simple, and a better design on electrical pick up plus there is replacement for the mechanism easily available.
