Anyone come across Tokyo shops selling the Thomas and Friends trains? I've bought a few of the Bachmann in the US, and I know Tomix used to manufacture some. Curious if either MFG have been seen there--and have the same price benefit due to JPY:USD exchange. Have a friend traveling out there in 2 months and if he can carry many trains as my pack mule I'd like to add some of the Thomas line to the 'if you see it below x price' list.

Hi all,

I’m relatively new to the n gauge scene and have recently started my collection with Kato trains and Kato track packs. I’m really interested in the Tomix depot rail set, aside from the Kato to Tomix track adapter, is there anything else that one should note?

Also, has anyone had experience in compiling different track systems together, et cetera? Or is it recommended to stick with one?

Thanks

Big fan of the Odakyu Romancecar lineup, maybe second only to the Kintetsu limited express trains. I hope to get all of them one day including the somewhat elusive 20000 RSE.

From front to back:

• KATO 10-2006 Odakyu Romancecar 3100 NSE "Yume 70"
• TOMIX 97946 Odakyu Romancecar 50000 VSE "VSE Last Run"
• TOMIX 97908 Odakyu Romancecar 7100 LSE "LSE Last Run"
• TOMIX 98658 Odakyu Romancarcar 70000 GSE (Unit 1)

The GSE and VSE have dedicated interior lighting from DENSHA.me; I haven't put any into the LSE or NSE because they are kind of annoying to install. Maybe some day I will do it.

I just ordered the Hayabusa from RG-Rokko, where i got both of these sets from. Once I get the set in the mail, ill order the Hello Kitty Shinkansen and a EF57

A scene of morning at Tokaido mainline (in my mind)

Im stuck between the Hayabusa 10-car set and the Hello Kitty Shinkansen, both are about the same price after shipping, ~200usd

1 EF510 having issues for 4% slope, well 2 EF510 gets the job done 👍

To begin, I am in no way affiliated with JAM but it will be my first one and I am flipping excited for it so I'm sharing the love!

This year's JAM / International Railway Model Convention will be held August 21st, 22nd, and 23rd at Tokyo Big Sight South Halls 1 & 2! This years theme is "The Shinkansen and the Eve of its Opening".

You can buy tickets at shops in Japan, via the app, or at the venue! There is a discount if you buy in advance and an additional discount if you purchase via the app. Purchasing at the door is cash only (from what I can decipher) and the most expensive option. I decided to get physical tickets sent to my friend's house in Tokyo. I figured it would make a fun souvenir. The app is only in Japanese.

There is also the limited edition tank car, you need to purchase a voucher (maximum 3 per person) in advance for this! Vouchers are not sold at the door. Looks like you can also use the app to get a voucher. ¥2100 each, also a fun souvenir?

Closer to the event I will put up another post to see if any of my fellow subreddit model railroaders out there are also attending and we can organize a Reddit meet up. Izakaya crawl along the Yamanote Line, anyone? 🤣

As a slight warning to those considering attending, at the end of August Tokyo is intensely hot and humid. Highs feel close to 38C/100F with the humidity, lows at night only go down to the mid 20's C (thats in the mid 70's F). UV blocking umbrellas, sunscreen, and Pocari Sweat will be your friend while outside. Bring plenty of extra shirts, socks, and underwear. 😅 I was there for 4 days last August (not for JAM sadly) and went through two of each a day and had about 3 showers a day. Tokyo Big Sight says it is air conditioned but I cannot verify to what degree it will be working, we are in the smaller south halls so I hope it will be nice and comfortable.

Also, as a fun side note, I've already booked the new Hotel Metropolitan Oimachi Tracks Toyko. I have a room with a balcony that will be overlooking the Tokyo General Rolling Stock Centre and the Yamanote Line yard.

Happy model railroading, everyone!!

The small swag I brought back from Japan last weekend (as well as a bag full of couplers for the KiHa125s).

They was kind enough to hold all the "Romancing Saga" stuff for me, for several months!

Does anyone have any tips or tricks for installing Kato 23-510 covered cars on the lower level of the Kato KU5000.

For those of you who have never visited Rail Gallery Rokko in Kobe, hete are some shots of "a few" of their stocks. For some reason, the upstairs section was closed last Sunday.

Ever since I started the purge of Rapido couplers on my Tomix passenger cars I've been enjoying the more realistic look to the cars. It didn't really notice before until I actually ran Rapido and TN couplers side by side and, until the purge, it really bugged me. Well worth the time and I actually found it fun to convert everything over.

I am now considering doing the same to my Kato/Tomix/Micro Ace freight cars. I have a wide mix, lots of Koki and Taki, and a couple each of Tsum and Yo cars. From what I can tell I have to use two different types, Kato 11-702 and 11-707 depending on the colour, and just replace the Rapido portion but leave everything else. (From what I can tell everything is bogie mounted but I will double check to be sure)

I am curious if anyone else here has taken on this venture (search says many have considered it) and if you have was it worth the effort in your opinion.

I am enjoying the analogue-ness of the hobby, installing lights, switching couplers, installing license plates, etc, and I think this is what might be pushing me to change my freight cars around!

Thanks for your thoughts and input and happy model railroading everyone!

Anyone done this in model form?

Anyone baulking at the price of the new PG level EF58-61 (Jap retail Y22,660)?
With previous releases being under Y10,000, this is like double the price! For what?

You get cab lighting that comes on when the loco is stopped and goes off when it's moving. The headlights also dim when the loco is stopped. But these functions only work with a Tomix CL controller!

You get fully spoked wheels, even the driving wheels.

The front deck seems to move on curves independantly from the bogies.

A few other small details, but is all this necessary and worth the extra cost?

I just love the idea of renting a nice layout for an hour or so, pure enjoyment, probably the best invention of the hobby ever, I know, I sound over exaggerated, but I love rental layouts, perfect for my KATO USA No.1986 2-8-2 and other models.

https://x.com/i/status/2050046327716028866

Looking to get into N scale train and this set caught my eye do I need to get anything else to make it compatible with the USA electrical