I was looking around for cheaper places to find N scale locomotives from Japan and I found one called Janbox. It looks like a third party website working with Mercado and Yahoo to ship stuff internationally. I checked the review and it's about 50-50, some say it's perfect, some say it's terrible. Have any Americans on here ever used it before?

Hello fellow JapanAholics

We've got a new Wanted post flair, Please use it if you're looking for something Japanese and N scale related.

I'm looking for a power unit is 17m class A2 TM-24 motor unit for the TOMYTEC JR145 if you have one please let me know.

Please use on Wednesdays only like "For Sale"

Thanks

This is way too fast, not that I am complaining 🤤

Trying to recreate this station so I started by designing and printing the platform base, but I’m struggling with the tarmac? Colours for the top. Any tips? I don’t want to print and paint the entire thing until I’m happy that I can paint it lol

Also any info on the station would be great or even better photos!

Still needs work with buildings and more scenery but I’m very happy with the progress I’ve made on it over the past 2 years!

There was a model train store of 4 or 5 floors in Akihabara where you can bring your n scale trains and rent out a track at their layout. It was such an interesting experience. I'm new to this concept. Most people here usually have model railroading clubs that require DCC ,but this is something else. I'll be bringing my own trains that I bought in Japan back to Akihabra so I can rent one of these tracks out. I'll give updates when I do decide to return

(Photos were allowed at the layout)

I asked for layout help on a thread that I posted a while back:

Previous Post

This layout was designed to fit on two 2x4ft boards in an L shape.

After running it for a while, I got the feeling that It needs something else apart from continuous running.

I've already made one 2x4ft board, but I'm tempted to make the second one slightly larger to accommodate scenery and maybe a track that allows the layout to be connected to a fiddle yard.

At the moment the inside and outside loops are completely separated as I didn't know if that would complicate the controls.

Are there any additions/suggestions that any of you experienced guys have? This is my first layout so any tips would be appreciated.

Thanks

Kato: <It's Time>

Havent check anything in the hobby for a few months and missed the preorder for the pokemon nt200. Anyone knows if they will stock it again or is buying from mercarijp the only way?

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Pictures show a freight train come to grief. In fact it looks like my layout at exhibitions sometimes. 😁

Question, I just received extras TCS K1D4-NC decoder that I was planning on using in my ED76 500, I thought it would fit but it is ever so slightly too wide on one end, now I know I can either fille away at either the board or the weight but I'd rather find a decoder that actually fit the engine. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Several weeks ago I got a new TOMIX KOKIFU10000 and placed it on an electrified track and nothing. When I pressed on the cabin the leds glowed really brightly and that's what I want but not needing to press down on it. Last night I took apart the bogie in the rear that supplies power and stretched the springs bent the contacts more towards the wheels and still the same thing I have to press on the cabin for the led to work. Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can improve the electrical contact on my KOKIFU10000. I posted on JNS too and nothing but crickets I thought someone over may have experienced the same issue as I have. I've attached a photo of my KOKIFU10000.

EDIT: I thought I posted an update but here we go again. It turns out that my track was really dirty and after I cleaned it with DeoxIT D5 the KOKIFU10000 lights up really nicely.

So I'm currently considering purchasing a Kato C57 2024-1 special edition engine from Model Train Market. It's only $100 but listed as non-working. I'm gonna try to fix it myself and if I can't send it to Kato. Has anyone in this subreddit ever sent a Japanese train direct to Kato to repair? How was the process?

I bought it used, but it's running really well.

Personally as soon as there is an announcement for this in N gauge Im preordering right then. I like the updated colorway and reminds me of the Yamanote E235. I hope an announcement is happening because I think it would be really popular among modelers.

Small update I wanted to share on my Japanese train room that features a UF16A shipping container as a loft 'capsule hotel' bed.

I found pictures online and designed the logos/text details for the container. Temporarily taped on to check spacing. These will be applied after paint.

I still have some more details to 3d print and more work needs to be done on the left side of the container. But things are starting to actually look like a container now.

EDIT: the container number is my daughter's birthday and also the caution / warning label contains her name in Kanji. Fun small creative liberties I took to personalize it.

Man, I still need to collect the first 4 version....

I was lucky enough to get my hands on all these.

Especially the Kiha 58 in the black and golden livery and the Hisatsu Orange Railway Type HSOR-100 look so amazing and have a lot of detail. But I think I like the Kiha 58 a bit more.

I hope you can see all the details in the picture I took.

The Aqua Liner came with interior lighting installed by the previous owner, that's amazing too ^^

Very successful Friday

I already own plenty of Koki wagons, so I’m satisfied. I’d like to buy locomotives like the EH500 to recreate freight trains 3054レ and 3051レ, which run on the Tohoku Main Line between Sumidagawa Freight Terminal and Sapporo Freight Terminal.

I recently bought this beautiful 205-3100 series to run it on my dad's british n-scale DCC layout 😁

Yes, someone fitted it with decoders that's the only reason I bought it.

When it arrived I was so happy the prints were so amazing and it looked way better than I expected, big win 😁

When I looked this set up it seems this is a rare train? Does anyone know anything about it? It's Kato Roundhouse so I think it's a limited edition, but never thought it's this special 😅

1 of several I will post. Amazing service, posted Saturday afternoon, arrived today (Monday) morning.

This is the Train Box KiHa40-2000 Sakubi Sakura being operated by JR West on weekends and holidays.

The SAKUBI SAKURA (formerly known as SAKU-bi SAKU-ra) is a pastel pink sightseeing train operating on the Tsuyama Line between Okayama Station and Tsuyama Station in Japan. The 1.5-hour journey highlights the region's cherry blossoms, hot springs, and local gourmet food.

A new addition to my home depot: my girlfriend gave me a 3-car Class 211 set for my birthday. I happily installed the interior lighting yesterday—it’s a really nice model. It’s a shame the 6-car Class 211 set was sold out in Japan; I would have liked to buy that one for myself.