I was toying with the idea of having a simple commuter-type loco — is there anything similar to this (Dcc) that comes to mind I could have running on my inner loop to simulate the metro in Virginia. Thanks in Advance.
Are you doing modern era? I can't think if anything similar to what your picture shows that's American prototype. Most of what's out there is Kato, and Japanese prototype. KATO Nscale 10-1622 E233 Series Chuo Line Extension Set model railroad 4949727679976 | eBay Do you care about railroad? Again, most of what's out there is Japanese. If you are looking for something older era, there's something like this. Kato N scale - E8 & 5 P-S Bi-Levels "400" Chicago & North Western 106-104-DCC 4949727678603 | eBay ConCor made cars like these that would work for your Virginia location if you can find them. Another option that's older era would be these. N SCALE KATO RDC-4 UNDEC. BNSF BN UP | eBay
I’m originally from the Chicago suburbs but I live in Tokyo now. If you’re looking for a “stand-in” Kato has a great line bilevel commuter cars and locomotives for both Chicago Metra and Virginia Railway Express. So they would be good for the modern era. They sell them as individual cars and locomotives, runner pack (3 car sets) and starter sets (F40 or MP36 loco and three coaches). I also do a bit of Japanese modeling and agree you could use many of the different Kato models of JR commuter trains as stand ins with potential modifications: 1) The signboards and most other lettering are typically printed in Japanese on a sticker (not a water slide decal). So you just leave them off and print your own. 2) Most models do have “JR” or another corporate logo on the front or sides of the cars. You may have to print your own logos to cover them up if you can’t remove them with the decal removal technique of your choice. 3) Lines/routes are identified by color-so you might have to match the color of your line with the color of the stripes on the model. 4) Almost all lines are electrified in Japan. The models of modern commuters all have pantographs. So you may have to remove those if your prototype isn’t electric. I run DCC-decoders and lighting for the US and Japan Kato stuff is easy as they designed their kits for it. But it does add up. Lastly, you may want to check out Shapeways. They have some people there that sell 3D printed shells for subway cars. That will be a lot of work to finish (paint, lights, glazing) and then “mate” with whatever frame/chassis it’s designed for, but that might be closer to your picture. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
If you want a DC Metro model, it looks like a designer on Shapeways has created one: https://www.shapeways.com/product/G...metro-7000-4?optionId=58643081&li=marketplace I don’t know of any mass-produced models, but like other posters have said, you could always paint a different commuter or subway model to be ‘close enough’. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
If you're looking for a direct standin for the WMATA Rohr cars, I'd go custom as above. If you're just looking for a generic "American metro" looking train, lots of Japanese options. Tokyu Car (now J-TREC) licensed shot welding technology from Budd in Philadelphia and built a LOT of stuff that is indistinguishable at a distance from American stock of the same era. Some picks: Eidan 3000 Series (Tomytec and Micro Ace both did models) Tokyu 7000 Series (Kato and Greenmax) Tokyu 8500 Series (Greenmax) Tokyo Metro 7000 Series (Tomytec, Micro Ace, Greenmax)
Similar(ish) colors and design. Most of the Japanese passenger trains are kinda non-descript and plain imo unless you're a fan of the tech differences and/or which operate in what areas. I would think that it would work just fine for most subway/CTA ideas unless something very specific or prototype is the endgame.
Most American metro rolling stock is either made or designed overseas anyway, so using a Japanese or European model as a stand-in isn't really a big deal. The main reason why you don't really see mass-produced American metro models (in any scale) is because the cars are custom-made for that city's transit system only, and thus can't be mass-produced with different paint schemes like freight locos or rolling stock are.
