Image 1 — Pre-JAM Convention shopping, order pick ups, and random things!
Image 2 — Pre-JAM Convention shopping, order pick ups, and random things!
Image 3 — Pre-JAM Convention shopping, order pick ups, and random things!
Image 4 — Pre-JAM Convention shopping, order pick ups, and random things!
▲ 54 r/JapaneseNscale+1 crossposts

Pre-JAM Convention shopping, order pick ups, and random things!

Good morning from hot and humid Tokyo. It's actually not as bad as I thought it would be which is a relief but the sun is strong. I can see clouds rolling in so I hope they stick around for a bit! Heading off to the JAM convention soon! Will post again about it later.

TLDR: I already have way too many trains to bring home, bought random stuff, excited to get to the JAM convention

As you can see in the photo, the pre-convention haul is pretty massive. Sorry it’s only one photo, taking photos of the individual trains is too much to do in my room this time. Side note: JR Metropolitan Oimachi Tracks is phenomenal for rail fans. As I type this I'm looking out the window and watching the E235's wake up for the day and head on out. If you choose to stay here choose a "Tracks-view" room. I went with one with a balcony, costs extra but so worth it, so I sat out there last night and had a beer while enjoying the view.

Alright, here is the list of everything I got so far:

Random train swag including stickers, keychains, gachapon stuff, IC Cards, and PlayStation laptop sleeve.

A very nice book called Naoyuki Hirota Railway Photography. (In the cardboard box)

HOGARAKADOU:

Lots of fun little containers here!

C1216 - Paloma UR19A type, red, with Eco-Rail mark.

C1407 - UR18A Container JOT Green Fresh Fish Transport

C1413 - 12ft container UR18A Kitami Transport (CBK) JA Kitamirai

FA3103 - UF43A-38000 Tuna Design

FA3303 - 31ft container UF45A-38000, Higashi Sapporo Nippon Express

KATO:

Lots of new releases and cleared a few off my bucket list.

3061 - A - EF65 1000 Late Model (JR Specification, Gray H-rubber)

3090-3 - EF66 0 series late model Blue Train locomotive

6041-3 - Kiha52 General color (M)

6041-4 - Kiha 52 Metropolitan Area Livery (M)

6041-5 - Kiha 52 651 (M) Yamata no Orochi livery

6042-3 - Kiha52 General color (T)

6042-4 - Kiha 52 Metropolitan Area Livery (T)

7011-4 - DE10 JR Kyushu specification

7118 - EF64 0 series (Unit 37, brown)

10-1377 - Tora 90000 (8 cars)

10-1983 - KOKI 105 "Toyota Long Pass Express" (Ecoliner) 10 cars

10-1994 - E233 series 6000 series - Yokohama Line, 8 cars

10-2028 - E231 series Joban Line/Ueno-Tokyo Line Basic 6-car set

10-2029 - E231 series Joban Line/Ueno-Tokyo Line, 4-car additional set

10-2039 - 165 series <345M Ogaki Night Train> Basic 8-car set

10-2040 - 165 series <345M Ogaki Night Train> 4-car auxiliary car

10-2048 - 813 series 2200 series, 3-car additional set.

10-2070 - Hoki 2000 (8 cars, manufactured by Yabashi Kogyo)

10-2159 - 883 series "Sonic" 30th anniversary (wrapping) 7 cars

10-2168 - "Seven Stars in Kyushu" consists of eight carriages.

10-2183 - Aomori Railway Aomori 703 series

10-2219 - 24 Series 25 Type [Seto/Asakaze] Basic 7-car set

10-2220 - 24 Series 25 Type [Seto/Asakaze] Additional 6 Cars

20-046 - Track stop A 62mm

NEKOMATA:

Do it yourself containers, have yet to try my other ones but wanted to complete the collection!

Japanese National Railways refrigerated container, R10 type

POPONDETTA:

Spoiled myself here, such nice trains and the containers are amazing

6042 - Nagoya Municipal Subway N1000 Series (Early Model) - 6 Cars

6086 - Toei 5500 series Asakusa Line later model with antenna, 8 cars

8540 - 20ft Tank Container UT20A Type MCLC Blue and White Color

TOMIX:

Lots of new releases and cleared a few off my bucket list.

0397 - Automatic TN Coupler, Gray

0398 - Automatic Coupling Type TN Coupler CC Black

2265 - DD51-1000 diesel locomotive (JR West spec, air-conditioned)

3115 - UT1 Tank, Cream Color

3184 - Privately owned UC7 type container (Seino Transportation, old paint scheme, 3 pieces)

8622 - Noto Railway NT200 series (POKEMON with YOU Train)

97240 - Five KiHa 400 series trains (Rishiri)

97978 - Two KiHa 100 series trains (KiHa 100 series retro color scheme)

98814 - Taki 1000/43000 (8 cars from Nippon Oil Transportation)

98867 - Taki 1900 cement terminal (10 cars)

u/WychwoodXIII — 1 day ago
▲ 26 r/JapaneseNscale+1 crossposts

15 DAYS UNTIL THE INTERNATIONAL MODEL RAILROAD CONVENTION IN TOKYO! WHO IS READY TO JAM?!?!?

I'm so excited that I had to put the title in caps and throw in the pun....

The 25th International Model Railroad Convention starts August 21st at Tokyo Big Sight and I'm curious to know if any fellow Redditors are attending and might be interested in meeting up and wandering the convention together? Maybe hit the Hamamatsucho Station Takeshiba Pier Pedestrian Deck for some evening train spotting if the weather isn't too brutal? Or try and organize a meal and drinks at an Izakaya (or a good ol' Torikizoku?)? I am staying in Oimachi so there are lots of places near by and the Oimachi Tracks complex is great for checking the Tokyo General Rolling Stock Centre yard!

If anyone is interested in saying Hi please don't hesitate to reply to this post or send me a DM! Hope to meet some new friends!

Cheers!

reddit.com
u/WychwoodXIII — 17 days ago
▲ 217 r/JapaneseNscale+1 crossposts

Went to Tokyo, didn't feel the earthquake, bought some trains.

Will start by saying that if anybody was affected by the earthquake in Ibaraki Prefecture on the 16th of June I am thinking of you and hoping you are ok. I didn't feel anything in Tokyo, we did get the EEW which I was curiously excited about, my wife said she felt shaking which I did not. Please reach out to me and tell me how I can assist if you have been affected.

Was not expecting to be back in Tokyo until the JAM convention but my wife has gotten very interested in the second hand designer goods trend here in Japan and wanted to try and attend a pop up and visit a few stores this week. Needless to say I was delighted to say yes. 🤣

Most of these were pre orders sent to my friend but I did pick up a few new trains at Imon Oimachi. Also got to check out some of the new Oimachi Tracks complex which is where I will be staying for JAM. It's absolutely amazing! I will attach a couple pictures of the Yamanote Line Yard!

My haul:

JAM TICKETS!:

Got my 3 day entry ticket and my vouchers for the convention model. Treating them as if they are the most valuable thing in the galaxy.

KATO:

3087-1 ED71 First Generation

3079-2 EF71 First Generation

5142-3 50-2000 series OHA passenger car

5143-4 50-2000 series OHAFU passenger car JR Style

7008-J JR Freight Type A

10-485 883 Sonic Yellow

Nekomata(this is what my translation calls it):

C10 Containers

C11 Containers

R13 Containers

These are all kits that I have to build by hand and apply decals. I know someone else here posted them which inspired me to pick them up when I saw them. Thank you to that person, I'm sorry I have forgotten who it was!

This is a first for me since I have zero confidence in my ability to do do things manually. Your well wishes are very much appreciated! 😅

Popondetta:

6012A Ginza 1000 Series Special Edition

Thanks to u/frogmicky for the advice/encouragement to get my first Popondetta model! This one I have actually ridden on and she is an absolute beauty and I'm happy to have her in my collection!I

Tomix:

7142 EF66 0 Early model with canopy

7189 Shimonoseki Regional Railway Division

12101 Shimonoseki General Rolling Train Depot, Gray Bogies

97637 JR 14-200 Series Passenger Car Moonlight Kyushu 6-Car Set

97638 JR 14-200 Series Passenger Car Moonlight Kyushu 8-Car Set

97964 Kiha 147 Hitahikosan Line BRT Hikoboshi Line wrapping

Various:

Lots of couplers as it is time to take on the challenge to replace my cargo Rapido couplers as well as modify a few new passenger sets. Also picked up an extra bookcase for all my KATO engines.

Ok, I think thats it and that's all! Happy model railroading everyone!

Edit: corrected date of the earthquake! Oops!

u/WychwoodXIII — 2 months ago
▲ 121 r/JapaneseNscale+1 crossposts

So, actually went through my collection today. I think I need train rehab. 🤣

Spring cleaning week so I actually took all my train bookcases out and only realized how much I actually had! This doesn’t even include my Canadiana/Americana freight collection or a few random Japanese pieces, mainly Tomix, that are in separate storage.

My wife asked if I thought I had enough. Apparently “not even close to enough” was not the correct answer and I got bathroom cleaning duty. 🤣

My bookcases are normally kept in an Ikea Kallax 4x2 bookshelf and I double up each shelf area so it really didn’t seem like that much, apparently the bookcase can hold around 160 bookcases. Challenge accepted! 🤭

Anyone else out there kind of loose track of what they have? Out of sight out of mind, kind of idea? Despite my best efforts of keeping an Excel spreadsheet to track what I own and future purchases and really trying to keep my collection tight, I appear to be failing miserably! Maybe going to JAM is a bad idea! 😆

Happy model railroading, everyone!

u/WychwoodXIII — 3 months ago

JAM / International Railway Model Convention Tickets on sale now!

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!!

reddit.com
u/WychwoodXIII — 3 months ago

Thinking about swapping out couplers on my Kato/Tomix freight cars.

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!

reddit.com
u/WychwoodXIII — 3 months ago
▲ 164 r/JapaneseNscale+1 crossposts

An unexpected trip to Tokyo....

...is always leading to trouble! Plus all the good things like amazing food, cold beer, and taking rides on trains!

Hit up the Tokyo Metro Museum this trip! It's only ¥220 for entry, most exhibits are in Japanese and English, and they have a Cab Simulator to try! (I only overshot a station once...beginners luck) They also have a small gift shop with some swag. They have a stamp rally, I only clued into that afterwards, so I'm gonna head back when I go to JAM in August.

My purchases:

KATO 10-2215 - 287 Series "Kuroshio" 60TH Anniversary Wrapping (BLUE)

KATO 10-2142 - 683-4000 Series "Thunderbird" Basic and Additional Sets

KATO 10-2108 - E233-7000 Series Saikyo Line 40th Anniversary Lead Car Set

TOMIX 92819 - JR14-700 Series "Naniwa" Set

TOMIX - More couplers because why can't Tomix put TN couplers on in the first place? (Ok, they do on some sets.)

Popondetta - One set of 1514 C type lights

Tokyo Metro - Logo Magnet and Tozai Line Pencil Case

Don Quijote Stickers - Not train related but who doesn't love Donki?

Thats all for now, next trip probably isn't until August, hope to see some of you there for the JAM Convention!

Happy model railroading, everyone!

u/WychwoodXIII — 3 months ago

Some nice second hand pickups from my local store!

A pleasant haul today from my local shop, Intercity Trains and Hobbies. All items are second hand and in very good condition.

Kato 106-102, CN Transcontinental with lighting installed

Kato 176-4901, BNSF by SD40-2

Micro Trains 101 00 090, BN 40’ hy-cube box car

Micro Trains 65560, CN 39’ single dome tank car

Mini Trix 51322100, CP 36’ wood stock car

Nice to add some Canadiana / Americana to my prominently Japanese collection!

Thanks for taking a look and happy model railroading everyone!

u/WychwoodXIII — 4 months ago