Foreign Prototype Models - What You've Got and What's New

TetsuUma Sep 18, 2009

  1. TetsuUma

    TetsuUma TrainBoard Member

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    You raise an excellent point about this being a very limited market and meeting the demand of relatively few modelers. This makes better sense when taken in that context. Believe me, I am not knocking them for trying to fill a niche in the marketplace.
     
  2. Westfalen

    Westfalen TrainBoard Member

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  3. christoph

    christoph TrainBoard Member

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    The German company Brekina released their first N scale model. It is a MAN Schienenbus (railcar) that was quite popular at private railroads in Germany. The Deutsche Bundesbahn operated the "Schienenbus" built by Wagonfabrik Uerdingen, which is the model offered by the big manufacturers Fleschmann, Minitrix and Arnold. The MAN model is a bit longer and was able to pull a couple of freight cars if necessary.
    The model is "Made in China" with great detail and very smooth running characteristics.

    Here it is on my mainline in the unfinished scenery.

    [​IMG]
     
  4. TetsuUma

    TetsuUma TrainBoard Member

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    That is very cool - almost like a "Doodlebug" gas-electric. I'm guessing the prototype had hydraulic transmission?

    I haven't got anything new in awhile. Anybody got anything?

    Andy
    Tetsu Uma
     
  5. PW&NJ

    PW&NJ TrainBoard Member

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    Here's the only foreign prototype I've got (train, anyway):

    [​IMG]

    That little British coal wagon, lettered for Arnold's Sands. Fits reasonably nicely in my shorty consist, but I have considered mounting it on a standard base with trucks.
     
  6. WPZephyrFan

    WPZephyrFan TrainBoard Member

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    I finally got around to taking some photos of my new Japanese equipment.
    First is my Tomix Asakaze Blue Train:
    [​IMG]

    Then, my Kato Tsubame:
    [​IMG]

    And, last, my Kato Type 0 Shinkansen:
    [​IMG]
     
  7. TetsuUma

    TetsuUma TrainBoard Member

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    Three of my favorite prototypes. I have the Kato Asakaze ("Morning Wind"). Looks great with an EF58. How do you like the detail on the Tomix?

    Andy
    Tetsu Uma
     
  8. WPZephyrFan

    WPZephyrFan TrainBoard Member

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    I love it. My favorite thing is the lighting. The lamps in the dining car light up! And, I like the drumhead the swaps ends when the car changes direction.
     
  9. theskunk

    theskunk TrainBoard Member

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    Hi guys,

    I just went through all 63 pages of this thread and I must say, there are some amazingly impressive models out there with regard to how detailed some of these historical locomotives.

    Hopefully some of you can help me -- i'm wondering what code track these would best run on, and how that compares to the prototype rail that was used in europe. I'm specifically looking for a german locomotive:

    [​IMG]

    Essentially my father has one of those in HO scale, and I'd love for my home layout to operate a fictitious 'excursion line' using this locomotive and a pair of coaches. Also, what was the highest grade that european steam typically encountered?

    Thanks for any and all information you might be able to provided!
     
  10. Westfalen

    Westfalen TrainBoard Member

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    Most German N scale has deep flanges and needs code 80 or Peco code 55 track.
     
  11. christoph

    christoph TrainBoard Member

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    True, that is my experiemce, too. I wanted to use an existing Atlas code 55 track on an industrial siding, but almost ALL of my German equipment would not roll freely on it.
    I use Peco code 55 for my layout that runs US and German models and never had problems.
    That piece of Atlas track might be used for photo diorama.
     
  12. christoph

    christoph TrainBoard Member

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    Some general information that might be interesting for some of you:

    Bachmann has now startet a line of German N-scale models under their "Liliput" brand (Liliput was originall an Austrian company offering high quality H0 scale models. When they went bankrupt Bachmann Europe bought the name and some forms and started a growing line of great H0 models now manufactured in China).

    The German firm Piko have also started to build some N-scale models, first as exclusive runs for some French sellers, but now they seem to market them under their own program. Piko is quite special since some time ago they startet their own manufacturing company in China. Wanted to keep things under their own control.
     
  13. dottney

    dottney TrainBoard Member

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    I don't have any pics right now but I have some British prototype passenger and mail trains for my layout. Two 3 car DMUs, an HST (Swallow scheme) and a Royal Mail train. They're all older Graham Farish. The locomotives all have new mechanisms (Tomix power chassis under the DMUs, Atlas diesel chassis under HST and Class 47) as the GF mechanisms all had the GF split gear syndrome. It was cheaper to use these mechanisms and it was easier to install DCC decoders in the modern mechanisms.
    I don't think too many American modellers will notice the incorrect trucks on my British locos. They make an appearance on my railroad to just run around and look pretty when I don't feel like using a switch list generated from JMRI.
    Dave
     
  14. TetsuUma

    TetsuUma TrainBoard Member

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    Sounds cool and I would like to see pictures when you get a chance. Personally, I don't know notice incorrect trucks on North American prototyple N scale models. :)
     
  15. PGE-N°2

    PGE-N°2 TrainBoard Member

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    Normally, I don't have any really strong urges to buy prototypes of overseas locos. As much as I find some of their locomotive designs very attractive, I still want to try and keep things as uniform as possible (yeah right!). However, for some reason I did have a very strong attraction to this little monster: http://products.eurorailhobbiesa.netdna-cdn.com/Fleischmann/t3_FL-796801.jpg . Alas, it is just a little too pricey for me.
     
  16. jnevis

    jnevis TrainBoard Supporter

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    Just picked up a Kato "Centram" Unitram. I might pick up a KHK 1000 or Narita Express tomorrow.
     
  17. kmcsjr

    kmcsjr TrainBoard Member

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    If Kato can do this for ~250 US, I'm sure they could do an awesome ICE!
    IMG00098-20120228-2022.jpg
    IMG00096-20120228-2021.jpg
     
  18. TetsuUma

    TetsuUma TrainBoard Member

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    I looked up the webpage on that. It's a track cleaning locomotive. Fleishmann FL-796881. I agree that it is good looking.

    I'm pretty sure Kato has a deal with Lemke for the European market. That being said, Kato could make an awesome ICE.

    BTW, what are those trains in the pictures?
     
  19. francois s

    francois s TrainBoard Member

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    T449 CSD (from Piko DDR) IMG_0068_PhotoRedukto.jpg IMG_0072_PhotoRedukto.jpg IMG_0073_PhotoRedukto_PhotoRedukto.jpg
     
  20. kmcsjr

    kmcsjr TrainBoard Member

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    They are Regio Bahn ET425s - K10721 and K10701. kato is releasuing ET426s later this year. I don't think there is a discernable difference between the 2 models, in N. There is a little number on the front 425-xx. The bottom one was repainted by DB to celebrate the Womens World Cup. We rode 423s on a family vacation, so they are neat, to me. On a side enote, they run very well. It is a very small motor, that just drives 1 truck, but it is smooth and quiet. I don't think I would lengthen the train, or run it on a grade.
     

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