Purchased these while vacationing in Japan. AMAZING(!!!!!!) 15 day adventure in 4 cities, including multiple rides on the Shinkansen (we had JR Pass with unlimited rides). And then there was the 5 floor, all N-Scale, train shop in Tokyo! I'll try to start a thread on my adventures focusing on the N-Scale scene in Japan with a little bit of culture thrown in. As a tease, the Kato Shinkansen set was more than 50% cheaper than what you can get in the US, all, day, long! I bought the set because we actually rode in it. I have a screen shot showing how fast we were going. It was fast! I'll post it when I start the thread. The Tomix I have never seen in the US before! The price on that was also incredible! Yes, I did visit the Kato factory store in the Shinjuku neighborhood of Tokyo. Stay tuned... Finally, I just returned from Altoona. I don't have a ton of pictures as I usually do because the show was, in my opinion, so much better this year that I end up catching up with everyone. From my view, attendance, both vendors, participants and the general public increased. Lots of good deals. I didn't get a lot as I pretty much have what I need but I got these. The Kato Steeple Cab loco was $29. How could not not buy one! BTW, it runs awesome and when I have time I'll look into putting a decoder in it. I'll be posting a link to my Altoona photos once I get them all sorted out.
Lived there for 3 years just got back to the US this fall. I loved the Kato mothership store/factory in Shinjuku-I went there a lot! If anyone else goes there, you can find good deals on used stuff at the Hard Off/Hobby Off chain of second hand stores. That’s where I got my N700 Shinkansen, a complete set of Chuo and Kawagoe line commuters, my Taki tank cars (marked for US military jet fuel use) as well as an EF200 and DE10 to pull them. Also-great deals on used unitrack that is in great condition! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I bought 4 different packs as well- great price!! Detailing them now. A little ding here and there, a vise on the bumper, some junk in the back...
Hobby Off was on my list but I ran out of time as it was my first time in Japan. Though we had 15 days, we had to cover Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima and Osaka. We went to the Kato factory store first and my head just exploded. But then after that, I realize that was nothing until you go to the LHS. I only had time for Popondetta (5 story), Tam Tam and Yodobashi. I had more on my list like Hobby Land Pochi and Model Imon but never got to them. I was bumming out as there really wasn't much in Kyoto or Hiroshima. On our last city Osaka, I hit the mother load!!! Kids Land (yeah, funny name for a hobby store!) and my head exploded again. That's where I got my two sets. Had United tell me sooner that we would get a Business class upgrade it would have been 1) buy big empty luggage as checked baggage is free for Business 2) load up with trains, plastic kits, tools, etc. 3) tell US Customs that these are only toys.
Well ordered some new PLA filament today. Had an older spool, but it is causing a LOT of problems, so ordered the Anycubic stuff.
I picked up my DE10 as a souvenir at a Popondetta in Hiroshima. You hit a lot for 15 days! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Wow! I have always loved the Baldwin Sharknoses and just scored some of the ER ones, an AB set in B&O colors. My favorite paint scheme on some I thought I would never own.
The big challenge will be finding the specific decoders for the E-R Sharks... they've been out of production for years. I would imagine there is a workaround but not sure what that would be.
If DCC only, you could work with an NCE N12SR and hard wire it. TCS has one also (cannot recall the number).
One of those increasing rare deals from the big auction site. And they are all different road numbers than I already have.
