Vol. 1 - No. 9

3rd July, 2004

   

Contents


LATEST RELEASE NEWS
3rd July 2004
2nd July 2004
26th June 2004
23rd June 2004
17th June 2004

NOW AVAILABLE
1st July 2004
29th June 2004
25th June 2004
24th June 2004
23rd June 2004

LATEST PUBLICATIONS
Railway Journal 08/2004

RELEASE INFORMATION 
Tomix
Kato
MicroAce
Greenmax
Modemo
Others

OTHER INFORMATION
Key
Abbreviations
Links

MODEL OF THE MONTH
July 2004

PRODUCT REVIEWS
5536 Selector Switch Box
5535 Reverser Switch Box
5560 5 colour light signal
Index of previous reviews

DVD REVIEWS

Index of previous reviews

BACK ISSUES
Vol 1 No 1 - 09 May 2004
Vol 1 No 2 - 12 May 2004
Vol 1 No 3 - 15 May 2004
Vol 1 No 4 - 22 May 2004
Vol 1 No 5 - 29 May 2004
Vol 1 No 6 - 05 Jun 2004
Vol 1 No 7 - 17 Jun 2004
Vol 1 No 8 - 26 Jun 2004


EDITORIAL

Not a real lot of news to report this week, except for a few new release dates and some changes to existing dates.

If you have any comments about this service, and would like to make suggestions as to what you do or do not want to see included, please free free to let us know. If you are paying for something, we would like to know that you are 100% happy with what you are getting, and that it is fulfilling your needs. Please write to this address with any comments you may have.


This newsletter is available by subscription, unless you are a recent customer of 'Japanese Model Supplies'. Normal rate is US$2.50 per month, payable 12 months at a time in advance. The 12 month subscription period will be from June to May inclusive. We hope to supply at least one issue per week, more if there is more news. We believe this amount is good value, and very modest for the amount of information you will receive - it represents (per month) less than 1 coffee at a 'trendy' cafe (eg Starbucks), or a burger & fries at a family restaurant (eg McDonalds).

Please do not reveal the page addresses to non- members. If they want to see it, they are free to take out a subscription like every one else !!!


This information service is sponsored
by ...

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PO Box 24
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Australia

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o Railway books & monthly magazines

Web page

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Latest Release News


3rd July 2004

Bandai seem to have slightly changed the 'Sanchome' set, due out in late July. The white-walled school buildings are now brown, and there is a new item, which replaces the Post Office building. 

This is a representation of the first Seven-Eleven store to open in Japan.

From Kato, is the news that in July, the following cars will be re-released ....

5021-3 Ohanefu25-100 series PC (blue with gold stripes) - ¥1,700
5022-3 Ohane25-200 series PC  (blue with gold stripes) - ¥1,200

There have been many changes (mostly postponements) from Kato recently - see the Kato release page for all the details.

2nd July 2004

On the 9th July, Tomix will release 4 Ballast packs, in the following colours ...

8147 Brown
8148 Gray
8149 Dark Gray
8150 to match Finetrack

26th June 2004

Here is a 'scoop' of the new Tomix catalog, to be released in August ...

Another scoop here is the first details of 'The Car Collection' series #1. Some details on this page. Looks like the first set will contain versions of each vehicle as taxis and/or police cars, and is due out in October. There are 4 different older type cars (Cedric, Corona, Bluebird & Gloria), with 3 variations of each.

Some nice pre-production shots of the new 'Sayonara 100' Shinkansen set can be seen on this page.

You can now see all the items in 'The Bus Collection' series #4 on this page.

23rd June 2004

Kato have announce the following release dates ...

6th July - 10-476 Kiha283 series DC 6 car set 'Super Ohzora' & 10-477 Kiha283 series DC 4 car addon 'Super Ohzora'
'early' July - 10-317 Koki104 series FC 2 car set

17th June 2004 

The items in the Bandai 'Sanchome' set have now been revealed clearly - from top to bottom and left to right, they are ...

Main school entrance / school building
School sports equipment shed / Corner yard with wall
Apartment building / Post Office
School Hall (part A) / School Hall (part B)
Hobby Shop with roof  platform / Book Shop
Various playground equipment, walls, 3 wheel car / Gate, covered walkway, walls, platform, planter box, small domestic car.

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Now Available

1st July 2004

Now out from Tomix are ...

92246 E231 Series EC 4 car add-on (Sobu line - Silver with yellow stripes) - ¥8,800


92263 EF210-109 EL (with single arm pantographs) + 2x Koki110 container train set - ¥8,900

29th June 2004

Just out from Kato is ...

 


3021-2 EF81-95 EL 'Rainbow'

25th June 2004

Just re-released from Tomix is ...


92639 300 series TEC 7 car set 'Nozomi' 

Re-releases from Greenmax include ...

11 Bridge girders
14-2 Concrete single track tunnel portal
18-2 Car inspection platform set
24 Local station set
46-1 TRam & street trackage set
47-7 Wall & gate set (3 types)
48-1 Harbourside pier & accessories
48-2 Fishing boats x2
48-7 Bus depot
48-12 Fire control tower

24th June 2004

New releases from Tomix are ...

92932 211-0 series EC 4 car set 
5536 Selector Switch Box N (more info)
5535 Reverser Switch Box N (more info
5560 5 light colour light signal (more info)

Re-released is ...

2703 Wamu80000 series 4 wheel closed van (brown)
2704 Wamu380000 series 4 wheel closed van (blue)
2705 Tora70000 series 4 wheel open wagon 

Re-released by Kato is ...


3021-3 EF81 series EL 'Hokutosei'

23rd June 2004

Releases from Greenmax are ....

4001 Kiha200 series DC 2 car set (red)
4002 Kiha200 series DC 2 car set (blue)
4003 Kiha200 series DC 2 car set (yellow)
4007 119-5100 series EC 2 car set (JR Central)
4007-2 119-5100 series EC (powered)
4007-3 119-5100 series EC (non-powered)

 

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Latest Publications


Railway Journal 08/2004

This month the special topic is 'The grim status of the ever decreasing rural branch line operation and management' (sic). It has been 20 years since the introduction of the 'third sector railway' concept, when started by JNR in 1984. The first case was the two-part Sanriku railway, on the eastern coast of northern Honshu, and this is featured along with several lines in Kyushu.


Product Reviews

Tomix TCS components

5536 Selector Switch Box N
5535 Reverser Switch Box N

The Tomix 5533 Universal Switching Box N is a very useful item, but has many functions that you may not use, so therefore you are paying more money for something you don't use. Because of this, Tomix have released the above two items that do specific functions, at reduced prices.

The 5535 unit has a white input power connector, that plugs into a Tomix power controller. There are two outputs, and the polarity of these is swapped over depending on the position of the switch. This can be used in conjunction with a 5531 Single Point Control Box or a 5532 Double Point Control Box (there is a joiner supplied to lock the two controller's handles together) to automatically change a point and reverse the current of the track in a reverse loop. The 4 page instruction sheet also shows how you can use this to control a loop of track with internal reverse loop, and several types of double and single track dog-bone configurations.

The 5536 unit also has the white input power connector, that plugs into a Tomix power controller. However this one has three outputs - one is permanently connected to the input, and the output of the other two are controlled by the lever. According to the 4 page instruction sheet, there are a multitude of uses, including selecting track power between two sidings (the point's route selector function already does this, but this will overcome the problem of dirty contacts on the point's rails), selecting a dead section in a siding, so that more than one train can be stored, realistic stopping and starting operation using the 5 colour light signal (see below), and using a reverse loop to alternately run two trains.  It also comes with a handle joiner, so you can merge this units function with the control of one or more points.

Both of these items come with a new type of sticker sheet (a clear backing rather than white), giving you many diagrams of track flow that you can stick on the box or handle to show the switch position's purpose.

5560 5 light colour light signal

This new item is not just a 5 light version of the 5557 3 Light Colour Light Signal - it has a lot more clever functions. Basically there are 4 modes of operation - two modes of display and two modes of operation. Having tried to nut out the 2 page instruction sheet, and played around with it extensively, I believe this is what you can do ...

Mode 1 - The light stays at Green when there is no train running on the track in the direction facing the signal. When a train passes the signal, the lights change as follows - Red, Yellow over Yellow, Yellow, Yellow over Green, Green.

Mode 2 - The same as the above except the sequence is - Red, Yellow over Yellow, Yellow, Yellow over Green, Yellow over Green (flashing), Green.

Mode 3 - The light stays at Red when there is no track power, or Green if there is track power in the direction facing the signal. The lights follow the sequence describe in Mode 1.

Mode 4 - Same as above but the lights use the sequence as in Mode 2.

In all the above modes, if the track power is going against the signal, it always shows Red. The timing of the sequence changing is a little too fast for my liking (around 2-3 seconds), and I do not see any way of altering it. It would have been easy for Tomix to add some sort of control, so the user could select what was most suitable for the layout and their train's speeds. There is some sort of indication in a magazine review that the time delay is 30 seconds, and I think I saw it happen once, but cannot work out how to select it !!!

Also the method of selecting which mode you are in is very cumbersome, whereby you have to turn the power controller's power switch on and off in certain sequences to select what you want to signal to do.

The best feature of this signal is when used in Mode 3 or 4 and using the 5536 Selector Box to isolate a small section of track in front of the signal. By leaving the track power off, the signal will show Red, and a train will stop in front of the signal. When you operate the Selector Box's handle, the light will go to Green, and the train will continue on it's way. An interesting way of having semi-automatic train operation.      

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Model of the Month

July 2004


Kato 3019-7 EF65-1019 'Rainbow'

or


Kato 3021-2 EF81-95 'Rainbow'

plus


Kato 10-306 14-700 series PC 7 car set 'Super Express Rainbow'

This month, the featured model is the fabulously colourful Kato 'Rainbow Express'. This is a JR East 'Joyful' train, that ran from 1987 to 2000. The cars start at the ends with red stripes on the white body, and gradually increase the amount of red to a full red lounge car in the middle. While you may wonder how just red and white make up a rainbow, it is the interiors of the cars that probably give it it's name, with each car having a different interior colour. There were 3 locos painted to go with the train, the two above and another EF65. They are all bright red with large white class numbers on the sides. You can have a choice of either the EF65 or EF81 loco, while stocks of both last.

Special price for this month will be A$255.00. The normal retail would be A$305.00 and the MSRP is A$355.00.

Stocks of these monthly specials will be limited, and will be sold on a 'first paid - first allocated' basis, and they are not available as separate items at these prices. 


(ADVERTISING)

As mentioned in the left hand column, this service is sponsored by 'Japanese Model Supplies', the only all-Japanese model train and other hobby item supplier in the world, outside of  Japan. It is often difficult to source these type of items and get accurate and timely information in English, when you do not live in Japan, cannot read Japanese web pages or do not have any contacts there. We have the facilities to access this information and these products, and whilst based in Australia, currently supply customers all over the world, including Australia, New Zealand, England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland, Israel, South Africa, Canada and the USA. Therefore you will find that the items you see presented are not just 'fantasy' items that get released in Japan and you have no way of acquiring them - 'Japanese Model Supplies' CAN get these items, and CAN ship them to anywhere in the world (unlike some other retailers of Japanese model trains) !!! See their web page at the address listed below all the information on what has been produced and how to get it. http://Japanese-Model-Supplies.com


If you are in Japan, and visit the Osaka area, I recommend you take the time to visit Railcraft Awaza. They have a large range of products available, together with friendly advice and service. Some photos on this site are taken by them and appear with their permission. For details of their shop location, see their web page at ... http://www.rc-awaza.com


Product Review Index

 Date

 Item

  The following reviews are found in the 'Japanese Model Train News' Yahoo! group's mail archive section, on the date listed.
13/06/2001 MicroAce A4140 185 series EC 6 car set 'Furu Furu'
Kato 10-413 183-1000 series EC 7 car set 
Kato 10-414 183-1000 series EC 2 car addon 
Tomix 92710 113-2000 series EC 7 cars set A
Tomix 92711 113-2000 series EC 4 cars set B
Tomix 92712 113-2000 series EC 2 car addon
23/07/2001 MicroAce A-5810 E751 series EC 6 car set 'Super Hatsukari'
18/10/2001 Kato 10-415 205 series EC 7 car set (Kansai area)
Tomix 6492 '25th Anniversary' Multi Rail Cleaning car
Tomix 93805 Thomas the Tank Engine series Henry loco and coach
Tomix 93806 Thomas the Tank Engine series Henry brake coach
22/01/2002 Kato 10-443 185 series EC 8 car set 'Odoriko' 
Kato 10-444 185 series EC 2 car addon 'Odoriko' 
Kato 10-445 185 series EC 5 car set 'Odoriko' 
Kato 10-189 455 series EC 3 car set 'Green Liner' 
Kato 23-402A 2 storey Apartment building (Light Blue)
Kato 23-403A 2 storey House with yard (Beige)
Kato 23-404A 2 storey House with yard (Brown)
Kato 23-405A 3 storey 2 Family residence (Gray)
Tomix 3049 Single/double track catenary pole (steel girder type) x12
Tomix 3050 Double track catenary pole (arch type) x24
21/03/2002 Kato 23-406 Family Restaurant Suburban type 'Dennys'
Kato 23-407 Family Restaurant 2 level type 
Roundhouse 10-911 103 series EC 4 car set (Senseki line)
Modemo NU504 313-8000 series 3 car set 'Central Liner'
Modemo NU505 313-8000 series 3 car addon ' Central Liner'
Tomix 92224 207-1000 series EC 4 car set (Tozai line)
Tomix 92225 207-1000 series EC 3 car addon (Tozai line)
Kato 8037-1 Taki1000 tank car (Japan Oil Terminal) x2
Kato 8037-2 Taki1000 tank cars (Japan Oil Transport) x2
Kato 8037-3 Taki1000 tank cars (Japan Oil Transport 'ENEOS') x2
MicroAce A3122 Taki1000 tank car (Japan Oil Terminal) x2
MicroAce train cases
Hogarakadou C-106A 20ft U30A Container 'Fukuyama Transport' (new color) x3
K-works Container decals
Craft S WIN350 series TEC 6 car body kit
10/05/2002 Kato 23-402B 2 storey Apartment building (Raspberry)
Kato 23-403B 2 storey House with yard (Gray)
Kato 23-404B 2 storey House with yard (Beige)
Kato 23-405B 3 storey 2 Family residence (Tan)
Modemo NT14 Tokyu Deha80 series 2 car set (second type)
31/05/2002 Tomix 92738 12 series PC 6 car set Joyful train 'Kutsurogi'
23/07/2002 MicroAce A0251 0 series TEC 8 car set 'Kodama'
MicroAce A0255 0 series TEC 4 car addon 'Kodama'
MicroAce A0252 0 series TEC 8 car set 'Hikari'
MicroAce A0256 0 series TEC 8 car addon 'Hikari'
MicroAce A0259 0 series TEC 12 car 'Hikari' (original configuration set in wooden case)
Roundhouse 3012 EF65-1065 series EL (JR Freight experimental scheme)
MicroAce A2901 ED17-19 series EL
WIN cases
Modemo NU502 313-0 series EC 4 car set
Modemo NU503 313-300 series EC 2 car addon
Kawai KG11 Hot Springs Hotel
08/09/2002 Tomix Kiha120 DC sets
Tomix Finetrack system
MicroAce A0250 922 series TEC 7 car set 'Dr Yellow' (as built)
MicroAce A0490 922 series TEC 7 car set 'Dr Yellow' (as refurbished)
24/09/2002 Platz NC1-B UF15A 12ft Container 'Yanmar' 
Hogarakadou C-2302 U30A 20ft Container 'Mizushima Transport'
Hogarakadou C-3303 U47A 30ft container 'Nishi-Nippon Transport'
Hogarakadou C-2204 U31A 20ft Container 'Sendai Transportation'
Kato 10-440 183-1000 series EC 9 car set 'Gradeup Asuza'
25/09/2002 MicroAce A-4021 E231 series EC 7 car addon
MicroAce A0073 Hokuso Kaihatsu 7150 series EC 8 car set
Tomix 92215 165 series EC 3 car set 'Moonlight Echigo'
Tomix 92216 165 series EC 3 car addon ' Moonlight Echigo'
Miyazawa Keikyu New 1000 series EC 4 car set
Miyazawa Keikyu New 1000 series EC 4 car addon
13/10/2002 MicroAce 7100 Benki
MicroAce Renewal 103 Osaka area renewal set
MicroAce 103 Joban Line sets
Platz NC2-A UF28A 20ft Container YANMAR x2
Platz NC3-A UF15A 12ft Container YANMAR (old style) x3
Hogarakadou C-3105 30ft U49A Container 'Zenkoku Transport' x3
21/10/2002 Kato 9600 Steam loco non deflector type
18/11/2002 Tomix 92222 415-1500 series EC 4 car set
Tomix 92223 415-1500 series EC 4 car addon
MicroAce A7107 C55-25 SL (clear)
25/11/2002 Hogarakadou C-1502 12ft UR19D Container 'JR Freight' x3
Hogarakadou C-602A 12ft UF16A Refrigerated JOT 'Cool Container' x3
Hogarakadou C-103A 20ft U31A Container 'Fukuyama Transport' x3
Hogarakadou C-204A 30ft U47A Container 'Freight Liner Kangaroo' (one line) x3
Hogarakadou C-403A 20ft U31A Container 'Freight Liner' (Three line) x3
27/11/2002 MicroAce A0342 Kiha281 series DC 7 car set 'Super Hokuto - HEAT 281' 
MicroAce A0343 Kiha281/283 series DC 2 car addon 'Super Hokuto - Furico283'
MicroAce A0344 Kiha283 series DC 6 car set 'Super Ohzora - Furico 283'
MicroAce A0345 Kiha283 series DC 5 car addon 'Super Ohzora - Furico 283'
01/12/2002 NTranced Model Railway Products - Air Conditioners / Solar Water Heaters / Witches Hats
11/12/2002 Kato 8039 Wamu80000 series FC 2 car set
Kato 10-448 165 series EC 3 car set 'Moonlight' (Green)
Kato 10-449 165 series EC 3 car set 'Moonlight' (Brown)
Kato 10-450 165 series EC 3 car set 'Moonlight' (Red)
23/12/2002 MicroAce 2003 catalog
Greenmax Kiha200 DC 2 car set
Tomix 8310 Saro125 double deck Green car
Tomix 92739 211-0 series EC 7 car set A
Tomix 92740 211-2000 series EC 5 car set B
Tomix 92741 211-2000 series EC 4 car addon
Tomix 8307 Saha211-0 car
Tomix 8308 Saro210 Green car
Tomix 8309 Saro212 double deck Green car
31/12/2002 Tomix 92918 923 series TEC 7 car set 'Dr Yellow'
07/01/2003 Tomix 92918 923 series TEC 7 car set 'Dr Yellow' (additional information)
Hogarakadou C-2303 20ft U29A Container 'Chu-etsu Transport' x3
Modemo NT22 Tokyu 309F series EC articulated 2 car set
MicroAce A0443 105 series EC 4 car set (Senseki line)
WIN B445 103  series EC 4 car body kit (Senseki line)
Tomix 4048 Round front modular office building x2 (gray)
Tomix 4049 Round front modular office building x2 (beige)
Kato 10-433 E257 series EC 7 car set 'Azusa'
Kato 10-434 E257 series EC 4 car addon 'Azusa'
Tomix 92229 211-3000 series EC 5 car set (Tohoku/Takasaki lines)
Tomix 92230 211-3000 series EC 5 car addon A ( Tohoku/Takasaki lines)
Tomix 92231 211-1000 series EC 5 car addon B ( Tohoku/Takasaki lines)
12/01/2003 Greenmax 1046T Tokyu 9000 series EC 4 car total set
Greenmax 1046M Tokyu 9000 series EC 4 car middle set
Greenmax 1007T Seibu New 2000 series EC 4 car total set
Greenmax 1007M Seibu New 2000 series EC 2 car middle set
Tomix 92219 169 series EC 3 car set 'Mitaka'
Tomix 92220 165 series EC 3 car addon 'Mitaka'
15/01/2003 Tomix 92922 443 series EC 2 car AC inspection set
Tomix 2156 EF81-300 series EL (silver)
05/02/2003 Tomix 4050 Square front modular office building x2 (green)
Tomix 4051 Square front modular office building x2 (brown)
MicroAce A0250 209-500 series EC 6 car set (Keihin Tohoku line)
MicroAce A0251 209-500 series EC 4 car addon (Keihin Tohoku line)
18/02/2003 Tomix 6493 Multicleaning car (Dr Yellow)
19/02/2003 Tomix 92751 700-7000 series TEC 8 car set 'Hikari Rail Star'
11/03/2003 Modemo NT24 Enoden 1000 series articulated 2 car set (powered)
MODEMO NT25 Enoden 1000 series articulated 2 car set (non-powered)
Platz NC4-A UM9A 12ft Container 'Nittsu Transport' x3
Tomix 92139 193 series EC 2 car DC inspection set
14/04/2003 Modemo NT26 1200 series EC articulated 2 car set 'Meiji Seika Go'
Tomix 92752 0-7000 series TEC 6 car set ('Fresh Green' colour)
MicroAce A4850 E653 series EC 4 car set 'Fresh Hitachi'
23/04/2003 Kato Dio-town components

23-411 Dio-town - Station area set
23-416 Dio-town - Station area detail accessories 
23-213 Dio-town - Guard rail & fence set
23-214 Dio-town - Traffic light & street sign set
23-215 Dio-town - Telegraph pole and street light set
23-216 Dio-town - Bus & taxi stop set
28/04/2003 Kato Dio-town components

Kato 23-213 Guard rail/fence set
Kato 23-214 Traffic light/street sign set
Kato 23-215 Electricity pole/street light set
Kato 23-216 Bus/taxi stop set
29/04/2003 MicroAce A0336 Yume Kukan 24.24 series 8 car passenger set
15/05/2003 Platz NC8-A UF15A 12ft Container AFMC x3
Platz NC6-A UM9A 12ft Container Maruwn Transport x3
Hogarakadou C-1703 12ft UF15A Container JOT 'Yu-pack' x3
Hogarakadou C-1705 12ft UF15A Container JOT Cool '25deg' x3
Hogarakadou C-1702 12ft UF15A Container 'Yanmar Cool' x3
Hogarakadou C-2304 20ft U29A Copntainer Chu-etsu Transport 'Niigata Rice' x3
16/05/2003 Kato 10-455 Taki1000 bogie tank car 8 car set 'ENEOS' 
Modemo NS104 JNR 20m old style passenger 6 car set
28/05/2003 MicroAce A0511 455 series EC 3+3 car set 'Senzan 455' (Senzan line)
MicroAce A0518 455 series EC 3+3 car set 'Bandai' (Tohoku line)
17/06/2003 MicroAce A9802 C62-3 SL
07/07/2003 Kato 10-391 485-300 series EC 7-car set
Kato 10-392 485-300 series EC 2-car addon
Kato 4031-1 Saro481 Green car
Kato 4032-1 Sashi481 Buffet car
Kato 4035-1 Saha481 car
MicroAce A0313 781 series EC 6 car set 'Lilac'
Kato 10-456 157 series EC 5 car set (Imperial train)
21/07/2003 Kato 4470 Kuha E231-500 series EC (Yamanote line)
Kato 4471 Kuha E230-500 series EC (Yamanote line)
Kato 4472 Moha E231-500 series powered EC (Yamanote line)
Kato 4473 Moha E230-500 series EC (Yamanote line)
Kato 4474 Moha E230-500 series EC (Yamanote line)
Kato 4475 Saha E231-500 series EC (Yamanote line)
Kato 4476 Saha E230-500  series 6 door EC (Yamanote line)
MicroAce A0300 Maya34-2002 Track Inspector
MicroAce A0306 DE10-1524 + Maya34-2010 'type' Rail Cleaner Car Set
07/08/2003 MicroAce A5630 485-3000 Hakucho set
MicroAce A5640 485-3000 Hakucho addon
Kato 10-431 Seibu Railway E851 EL + cement hopper train
Kato 8040 Taki1900 cement hopper x2 Mitsubishi
Hogarakadou C-4102 31ft UF42A container 'Runtec' x3
29/08/2003 MicroAce A0121 151 series 'Kodama' express 8 car set
MicroAce A0122 151 series 'Kodama' express 4 car addon
14/10/2003 Tomix 1163 DC465/428-45 Double overhead curved track (Finetrack) x2
Tomix 1523 S140-RE Rerailer track (Finetrack)
MicroAce A3123 Taki1000 series bogie tank car 'Japan Oil Transportation' x2
MicroAce A3111 Taki1100 series bogie tank car 'Ube Rail Support' x8
MicroAce A3131 Hoki1000 series bogie cement hopper 'Onoda Cement' x8
MicroAce A0377 783 series EC 8 car set 'Midori / Huis Ten Bosch' 
15/10/2003 Kawai KP-136 Tora90000 series 4 wheel wood chip wagon x2
Tomix 6442 Multi-cleaning set
Kato 10-466 165 series EC 6 car set 'Nanohana'
26/11/2003 Kato 10-471 E231-1000 series EC 8 car set
Kato 10-472 E231-1000 series EC 2 car addon
Kato 10-473 E231-1000 series EC 5 car set  
Tomix 92923 115-1000 series EC 4 car set (Fukuchiyama line)
02/12/2003 Roundhouse 10-913 485 series EC 3 car set 'Kirishima & Hyuuga'
Modemo NT-31 Tokyu Deha80 series EC 2 car set 'Tamaden'
08/12/2003 Kato 10-457 Seibu 101 series EC 4 car set
Kato 10-458 Seibu 101 series EC 4 car addon
Kato 10-459 Seibu 101 series EC 2 car set
05/01/2004 Tomix 92254 E231-1000 series EC 3 car set A (Tohoku / Utsunomiya / Takasaki lines)   
Tomix 92255 E231-1000 series EC 5 car set B  (Tohoku / Utsunomiya / Takasaki lines)   
Tomix 92256 E231-1000 series EC 4 car add-on  (Tohoku / Utsunomiya / Takasaki lines)   
Tomix 8338 E231-1000 series EC SahaE231-1000 car  (Tohoku / Utsunomiya / Takasaki lines)
 (includes comparison with Kato version)
14/01/2004 Kato 10-460 Seibu 301 series EC 8+2 car set
Kato 3019-5 EF65-1000 1st series EL
Kato 10-481 205 series EC 10 car set 'Kato Train'
Bandai Itchome 'My Home Town' set
MicroAce A0740 255 series EC 9 car set 'Bozo View Express - View Wakashio'
MicroAce A0346 Kiha283 series DC 6 car set 'Super Hokuto'
MicroAce A0347 Kiha283 series DC 3 car addon 'Super Hokuto'
MicroAce A4651 415 series EC 4+4 car set (old colour)
29/01/2004 MicroAce A0842 789 series EC 8 car set 'Super Hakucho' (in wooden box)
05/02/2004 MicroAce A0651 9800-9812 Mallet SL (original type)
MicroAce A0652 9800-9801 Mallet SL (modified type)
22/02/2004 Kato 3019-6 EF65-1000 1st series EL (JR Freight version)
Kato 10-349 185 series EC 7 car set 'Express 185'
Kato 10-474 251 series EC 6 car set 'Super View Odoriko' (new colour)
Kato 10-475 251 series EC 4 car add-on 'Super View Odoriko' (new colour)
Modemo NT32 Enoshima Railway 500 series EC 2 car articulated set (powered)
Modemo NT33 Enoshima Railway 500 series EC 2 car articulated set (non-powered)
01/03/2004 Tomix 92249 455 series EC 3 car set (Banetsu line)
08/03/2004 Tomix 92257 E231-0 series EC 3 car set A (Joban line) 
Tomix 92258 E231-0 series EC 5 car set B (Joban line) 
Tomix 92259 E231-0 series EC 3 car add-on (Joban line) 
Tomix 8357 SahaE231-0 EC (Joban line)
Tomy 'Machinami Collection' series 1 - shops
13/04/2004 Kato 3020-7 EF58 series EL 'Tokkyu'
Kato 10-368 20 type Asakaze 7 car set
Kato 5098-1 Nahane20 car
Kato 5100 Narone21 car
Tomix 92757 25 series PC 5 car set 'ELM' with EF81 EL
Tomix 8505 Ohanefu25-0 PC 'Hokutosei'
Tomix 8506 Ohane25-0 PC 'Hokutosei'
Tomix 8507 Ohanefu25-200 PC 'Hokutosei'
Tomix 8508 Ohane25-100 PC 'Hokutosei'
26/04/2004 Kato 10-485 883 series EC 5 car set (Sonic 883)
  The following reviews are found in the 'Japanese Model Train Newsletter' issue as listed. 
Vol. 1-No. 1 Kato 3000 EH200 series EL
Modemo NT35 Enoden 1500 series EC 2 car articulated set (Sea Breeze)
Vol. 1-No. 4 Kato 3019-7 EF65-1019 EL (Rainbow)
Modemo NT36 Tokyu 300 series 2 car articulated tram
Tomix 91069 Y track set
Vol. 1-No. 5  Kato 10-358 E351 series EC 8 car set 'Super Azusa'
Kato 10-359 E351 series EC 4 car addon 'Super Azusa'
MicroAce A0664 Keihan 3000 series EC 8 car set 'TV Car'
Vol. 1-No. 6  Kato 10-401 Kiha85 series DC 5 car set 'Wide View Hida'
Kato 10-402 Kiha85 series DC 3 car addon 'Wide View Hida'
Vol. 1-No. 7 Hogarakadou C-4103 30ft UF47A Container 'Kyushu Milk'
Platz NC14-A UF25A container Miyago 'Cool Express'
Vol. 1-No. 8 Tomix 5536 Selector Switch Box N
Tomix 5535 Reverser Switch Box N
Tomix 5560 5 light colour light signal

DVD Review Index

 Date

 Item

  The following reviews are found in the 'Japanese Model Train News' Yahoo! group's mail archive section, on the date listed.
03/01/3004 Sony - Shonan Shinjuku Line - A cab ride in an E231 set on this line from Kozu to Omiya, as well as information on the E231 trains.
30/01/2004 Teichiku - JR 500 - Comprehensive information (including English narration) of the JR West 500 series Shinkansen, including a multi angle cab ride from Kobe to Okayama.
22/02/2004 Vicom - Shinkansen Electric Train - Comprehensive selection of segments from this companies regular railway news releases, covering all the Shinkansen types running today, as well as footage of several services now sadly just a memory.
  The following reviews are found in the 'Japanese Model Train Newsletter' issue as listed. 
Vol. 1-No. 8 Color Tec - Enoden Roman Kido - A compilation of articles covering various interesting aspects of the Enoshima Electric Railway.

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***** KEY *****    

This Coloured entry indicates a 'Limited Edition' release
This Coloured entry indicates a 'High Grade' release (Tomix)
This Coloured entry indicates latest addition or information update
Type 'N' = new release - 'R' = re-release - 'NR' = upgraded re-release of previously released item

 

Abbreviation Explanation
TEC Shinkansen (Bullet train)
EC Electric car (EMU)
DC Diesel car (DMU)
PC Passenger car
FC Freight car
SL Steam loco
EL Electric loco
DL Diesel loco

 

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4 - Doug Coster
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