That's what came to my mind when he said it. Yep, that's it. When my pre-orders come in, it's time for a Japanese train! This thread has convinced me! lol
I had a feeling you might have the Rapi:d! To me it is the most unique looking train there is something out of a Jules Verne novel and that's why I like it. If you ever run across one (at a decent price) let me know.
I have most of the Thomas stuff; my kids were "that age" when I got started in N in '95 after having done some HO in high school in the 70s. I have a Fleischmann ICE-T like one my wife and I rode on during one of our trips to Germany. I also have an older German diesel locomotive and a half dozen passenger cars like ones I rode in when I lived there in the late 70s/early 80s. I got a Bachmann TGV at the NMRA show in Atlanta ('96?) when I didn't know that the plastic gears were good for only a short time. I think I trashed it within a few months. Terry
That's cool! I got started in Japanese Prototype by collecting (or trying to collect - Odakyu suburban train) trains I rode in Japan. After that, it was downhill from there. If you have any pictures, I for one would be interested in seeing your models.
Early EF66 on eBay Were you looking for the early model? If so there is an early EF66 (Kato 3047-3) on eBay right now for $64.00 "Buy It Now." Shipping from Japan is going to hurt a little but it's the price we pay for "International" model railroading.:doh: If not, don't give up hope because these things get rereleased all the time.
If I get a chance, I'd like to get the version that pulled The Blue Train. The early version was the only EF66 I could find a model photo of. Also, I probably won't be able to swing any new trains until after the first of the year. lol I have enough goodies reserved at Hobby Search! And, yes, I know about the shipping. Actually, I like the fact that they end everything EMS, 'cause I get my stuff ASAP. BTW, does everyone else's bank charge them a "foreign currency fee" on the purchases?
Plaza Japan encourages PayPal. Did you see the Special Edition Tomix set they are advertising on eBay? It has three locomotives (including an EF66) and passenger cars. It is takai (expensive) but it gets all you want in one fell swoop. I've had great experiences with them - fast shipping and they even sent a Kato starter set (D51) to my nephew in Tokyo for me. http://cgi.ebay.com/JR-Sleeping-Car...ains?hash=item2ea7ffbb4c&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
My bank adds a currency conversion fee on all overseas transactions on my credit card, of course to me that includes US purchases as well. Hobby Search gives you the option of reserving coming items but I find Plaza Japan sometimes has items that Hobby Search lists as 'sold out', so sometimes I pick up things from him that I missed seeing elsewhere.
The shipping costs from Japan recently really jumped with EMS but the service is fantastic although expensive. For the first time I'm trying SAL but it is a chance because you can't track the item and delivery is unpredictable but is a huge savings. As I understand, there are some credit card companies that don't charge for an overseas transaction.
The answer is no but I can understand why. There are so many modelers at TB with most of their interests in different N. American eras, a Japanese group would get lost in the shuffle, plus there is so much information on the Japanese RR it really needs to be its own forum. (Trains are a big hobby in Japan and that includes railfanning) A little more than a year ago I formed another forum with some other modelers who were also interested in the Japanese RR and it has grown slowly but steady. Here is the link to the forum, you are welcome to take a look as a guest and if you decide to join you're welcome to it: http://www.jnsforum.com/index.php?action=forum
Here's a little something. It is a Kato model (10-914) of the French TGV POS. I don't know that much about the prototype and would appreciate any information. I will try to get some pictures of some of my models this weekend.
Funny, shortly after this thread started, there was an hour long program on The Science Channel on high speed trains. The Japanese bullet train, the TGV and the ICE were all on there. It was pretty neat.
Westfalen- Years ago, I saw a show about the railroad line across Australian. As I recall, it is "standard" gauge and if I remember correctly, there was a passenger train that used EMD F units. I was in Perth years ago and I know that was "narrow" gauge so I wondering about the details. Thanks
Australia suffers from different gauges in each state as they were developed separately from each other. The standard gauge Trans Australia line was built by the federal government in 1917 to connect 5'3" & 3'6" gauge South Australia with 3'6" Western Australia. The connections at either end were converted to standard gauge in the early 70's to make a through standard gauge line from Sydney to Perth. While the former South Australian Railways have mostly been converted to standard gauge, the Western Australian system is still 3'6". The Passenger train is the Indian Pacific, once operated jointly by the four railways involved but now run by private operator Great Southern Railroad. The 'F' units were probably Commonwealth Railways GM class or the later CL, like the real F units, the older GM's are now mostly displaced from front line service. They used the F unit body styling with 6 wheel trucks. Here are some Wikipedia links. Trans-Australian Railway - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Pacific GM class - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CL_class
That is cool! I appreciate the reply and the information. I knew I wasn't crazy. I believe Hilton's American Narrow Gauge Railroads mentioned the different conventions uses in the various Australian states so I was aware of that but I couldn't recall the Trans-Australian gauge. The links you provided reminded me about the worlds longest section of straight track. That might have been the basis for me remembering the story.
