Vol. 1 - No. 13

31st July, 2004

   

Contents


LATEST RELEASE NEWS
31st July 2004
27th July 2004
26th July 2004
24th July 2004

NOW AVAILABLE
29the July 2004
27th July 2004
23rd July 2004

LATEST PUBLICATIONS

RELEASE INFORMATION 
Tomix
Kato
MicroAce
Greenmax
Modemo
Others

OTHER INFORMATION
Key
Abbreviations
Links

MODEL OF THE MONTH
August 2004

PRODUCT REVIEWS
Kato Kiha283 Super Ohzora
Tomix E231 Yamanote line
Index of previous reviews

DVD REVIEWS

Index of previous reviews

BACK ISSUES
Vol 1 No 01 - 09 May 2004
Vol 1 No 02 - 12 May 2004
Vol 1 No 03 - 15 May 2004
Vol 1 No 04 - 22 May 2004
Vol 1 No 05 - 29 May 2004
Vol 1 No 06 - 05 June 2004
Vol 1 No 07 - 17 June 2004
Vol 1 No 08 - 26 June 2004
Vol 1 No 09 - 03 July 2004
Vol 1 No 10 - 10 July 2004
Vol 1 No 11 - 14 July 2004
Vol 1 No 12 - 27 July 2004


EDITORIAL

Many new items have been announced at the Ginza exhibition this weekend, and in particular the new Kato Diotown items  look very nice, and will be a welcome addition to any layout.

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 !!!


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Latest Release News


31st July 2004

Kato have announced many new items in their Diotown series - new old style wooden Japanese buildings, and modern accessories to go on their station and street plate sets.

The buildings, in the bottom illustration, from L->R are ...

23-450A Old style wooden shop - type 1
23-450B Old style wooden restaurant - type 1
23-451A Old style wooden shop - type 2
23-451B Old style wooden restaurant - type 2
23-452 Old style wooden LH corner shop - type  
23-453 Old style wooden RH corner shop - type 4

Items listed are ...

23-417 Dio-town - Facilities for front of station area
23-418 Dio-town - Garden/park & car parking station
23-419 Dio-town - Street accessory set 1
23-420 Dio-town - Street accessory set 2
23-421 Dio-town - Town accessory set
23-422 Dio-town - Road sticker 1

23-417 is the items in the LH side of the poster and consist of (L->R & top->bottom) ...row of vending machines, old style public toilet, row of public telephones, Police box, ATM machine housing, small kiosk/stall, subway entrance, post box, modern style public toilet, another subway entrance.
23-418 is the picture in the top RH side of the poster and has a plaza/park area, and a car parking station.
23-419 contains ... street signs (stop, one way etc), street name signs & fire hydrants.
23-420 contains ... bus stops, corner visibility mirrors, traffic condition warning signs & parking meters.     
23-421 contains ... shop signs, flags, long vertical advertising signs, pot plants/garden items, telephone boxes, mail boxes & vending machines.
23-422 contains ... road signs, manholes & center lines.

Modemo have announced 2 more items, both again from the Enoshima railway ...

Both these sets are powered. From top to bottom is ...

NT40 Enoshima Railway 300 series EC articulated 2 car set 'Chocoden' - ¥9,800
NT41 Enoshima Railway 500 series EC articulated 2 car set - ¥9,800
This is an earlier version of the 500 series, and has a single roof-mounted headlight.

Tomix had more details of the items in their new 'The Car Collection' series ...

From top to bottom are ... Nissan Gloria, Toyota Corona, Nissan Bluebird & Nissan Cedric.

Many of the new models were on display, including the new colour E1 Shinkansen, the 800 series Kyushu Shinkansen, the Tokaido line E231 and new freight cars and containers. Also announced was the train mounted video camera system, which is a two car Kiha187 set, one car has the motor in it and the other the video facilities and camera. All signals will go via the track power, and it is due next year and will cost ¥39,800

MicroAce were showing samples of many of their new models, including the 283 Ocean Arrow, and the Nakai Rapi:t

27th July 2004

Tomix have announced their release schedule for January 2005, as follows ...

92283 E231-1000 series EC 3 car set (Tokaido line) - ¥9,900
92284 E231-1000 series EC 5 car set B (Tokaido line) - ¥14,800
92285 E231-1000 series EC 3 car addon A (Tokaido line) - ¥6,800
92150 E231-1000 series EC 2 car double deck Green car set (Tokaido line) - ¥3,800
To make the full train, you also need to get 2x 8338 SahaE231 cars.

2782 Koki50000 bogie container wagon (with containers) - ¥1,600
2783 Koki50000 bogie container wagon 2 car set (without containers) - ¥1,900
2784 Kokifu50000 bogie container wagon (without containers) - ¥2,100
These are the older type JNR brown wagons, but will have the new see-thru floors.
92143 Sanriku Railway 36 series DC 2 car set (blue) - ¥6,800

There are also 2 new container sets ...
3122 C20 type 12' container x3 'JR Freight (Kyushu)' - ¥700
3125 UC7 type 20' container x2 'Zenkoku Transport'

In February 2005, we have ...
92755 100 series TEC 6 car set (Fresh Green colour) - ¥16,500
92281 183 series EC 3 car set 'Maizuru' - ¥14,600
92282 183 series EC 4 car set 'Tanba' - ¥17,200

MicroAce have announced the following items for release on the 10th August ...

A0591 Kiha91 series DC 8 car set 'Shinano'
A0593 Kiha91 series DC 7 car set 'Norikura'
A0750  Nankai Railway 50000 series EC 6 car set 'Rapi:t'
A0751  Nankai Railway 50000 series EC 6 car set 'Rapi:t' (dark blue) in wooden presentation case with 'Blue Ribbon' commemoration headmark
A4271 C11-91 SL (non-powered) + 61 series PC 5 car set 'Discover Japan'
A5740  DE10 DL x2 + 64 series PC 5 car set (Wadamisaki Line) 'Sayonara Tombo'
A5031 Tokyo Metro 06 series EC 6 car set (Chiyoda line)
A5041 Tokyo Metro 06 series EC 4 car addon (Chiyoda line)
A5051 Tokyo Metro 07 series EC 6 car set (Yurakucho line)
A5061 Tokyo Metro 07 series EC 4 car addon (Yurakucho line)
A7203 C58-33 SL (with small deflectors and JNR mark)
A7206 C58-296 SL (with oil tender - Hachinohe depot)

26th July 2004

Greenmax have announced the Keikyu new 1000 series EC sets, for release on 18th August ...

4020 4 car powered set - ¥18,000
4021 4 car unpowered set - ¥14,800 (due September)
4022 4 car middle set - ¥13,800

These will be the first 'train' sets in the RTR range, and are pretty pricey !!!!!

24th July 2004

Tomix have announced the details of their 800 series JR Kyushu Shinkansen model, due in November 2004. This train only commenced service earlier this year. There will be a limited edition 6 car set, as well as the usual 3 car set in a cardboard box and a 3 car addon in the usual hard plastic case. It will be the first item after the recent DD51 DL to have a flywheel drive, and there will also be a new coupling mechanism, that will allow car end detail. The interior seat molding will be detachable, so you can swap them to match the direction of travel !!! The car numbers of the full set and other two will be different.

Tomy are certainly making it hard for Kato to follow with their own version.

92935 800 series TEC 6 car set 'Tsubame' (M) 
92279 800 series TEC 3 car set 'Tsubame' (M) 
92280 800 series TEC 3 car addon 'Tsubame' 

Here is a poster showing some of the details.

(back to top of page)


Now Available

29th July 2004

Kato News #93 is now out - a review will appear shortly ...

27th July 2004

Greenmax have announced a model, made by Miyazawa Models, of the JR Hokkaido 711 series EC suburban set.

3 car powered set - ¥18,000
3 car non-powered set - ¥15,000

Re-released by Tomix is the following ...

92082 500 series TEC 3 car set
92083 500 series TEC 4 car addon A

New releases are ...

2779 Koki 250000 bogie container wagon (Green)
2780 Koki 350000 bogie container wagon (Yellow)
2785 Koki 50000 bogie container wagon (Brown with gray bogies)

From Kato is ...

10-408 253 series EC 6 car set 'Narita Express'

23rd July 2004

New items from Tomix are as follows ...

92929 100 series TEC 16 car set 'Sayonara100'
92260 E231-500 EMU 3 car set (Yamanote line)
92261 E231-500 EMU 2 car addon A (Yamanote line)
92262 E231-500 EMU 3 car addon B (Yamanote line)

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Latest Publications


(nothing this issue)


Product Reviews

Kato 10-476 Kiha283 series DC 6 car set 'Super Ohzora'

Another entry in the list of Kato's 'tilt' train series, whereby the model leans into the corners just like the prototype !!! This model however seems to have a different mechanism to the previous E351 and 883 series sets, and the motion is a little more subtle. The cars have two tone silver sides, with a light gray roof and black underbody details. Each car has large blue and smaller green vertical stripe around the door area with a red panel around the door windows. The cab ends are all blue with the 'Furico 283' logo in white. The cars are equipped with Kato's latest body mount coupler and the wheels are blackened. There are a number of small roof details to add, and you can change the lit end destination board from 'Super Ohzora' to 'Super Tokachi'. The headlights use a white LED (whereas the real train has a mixture of white and yellow lights) and the power car runs smoothly and quietly with a very slight whine. There is also a 4 car addon set available.

Comparison with MicroAce's version (A0346)

The blue colour on the Kato version is a little more of a pastel  purple shade, however on all the photos I have seen, the blue looks darker than either model. The MicroAce has different coloured underbody detail items, and has lettering on some of the components. One of the silver colours on the side of the MicroAce model is quite sparkly, whereas the Kato is more flatter. The Kato model's windows have square corners with a definite lip around the edge whereas the MicroAce has rounded corners and no lip. I have seen photos of both type, so there must be a number of series or maybe different manufacturers. The composition of the cars is quite different, with the Kato configuration being more like the first MicroAce release (A0344). 

Tomix E231-500 series EC 11 car set (Yamanote line)

Tomix is been the last of the big three manufacturers to release their model of this train, which runs on one of the best known lines in Tokyo. The Yamanote line is a 34.5km circle that links the main city areas of Tokyo, Ueno, Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, Shibuya and Shinagawa. Most of the other JR and private lines all start from the edge of this loop, and it also links to all the subway lines. There are 29 stations and it takes just over an hour to complete the trip in either direction. For a comprehensive article on this line, see the April 2002 or June 2004 issue of Railfan magazine. 

The models comes as a basic 3 car set (92260), with an addon 2 car set (92261) and another 3 car addon set (92262), which is in the familiar hard plastic case (the other 2 are just in a cardboard and foam box). The 3 car set includes the 6-door car. To make up the full 11 car train you need 2x the 92262 set, which also gives you more than enough space to store the train in the two cases, each of which has 8 slots !!! The cars are silver with light green stripes, gray roofs and dark gray underbody details. Large silver 2 fan A/C units are on the roof and the details on the cab car roof are already fitted. You just need to add a small detail item to the pantograph cars. The main and 2 car sets are pre-numbered, and there is a sheet of rub-on numbers for the 3 car set(s) or if you want a differently numbered train. Also to apply are the 1-11 car numbers, ATC, wheelchair and low A/C signs. The cab cars are pre-lettered on the windscreen as set 1400G 'bound for Shinagawa-Tokyo' in both English and Japanese. You can replace the windscreen with a blank one, and there is a sheet of destination stickers that include ...
Inner Loop - 'Shinagawa-Shibuya', 'Shibuya-Shinjuku', 'Shinjuku-Ikebukuro', 'Ikebukuro-Ueno', 'Ueno-Tokyo', 'Tokyo-Shinagawa'.
Outer Loop - 'Tokyo-Ueno' , 'Ueno-Ikebukuro', 'Ikebukuro-Shinjuku', 'Shinjuku-Shibuya', 'Shibuya-Shinagawa', ' Shinagawa-Tokyo'
Or you can just have 'Ikebukuro', 'Ohsaki' or 'Shinagawa'. Each of these has both English and Japanese versions, and there are train set numbers for each destination as well. 
The reversible head/tail lights and lit destination signs are not very bright, and on/off switches are provided (even though you will never use them!!!). The power car runs smoothly and reasonably quietly, and the cars have blackened wheels.

.Comparison with Kato's version

These two models may be versions by 2 different manufacturers (like the Kato vs. Tomix E231-1000 sets), but I have not been able to verify this yet. The detail of the Kato roof A/C units is better, including fan blades behind the grills. The light green stripes are a little lighter on the Tomix. The 6-door car signs are a lot better on the Tomix. Kato has more lettering, like car depot numbers on each car, but their car numbers are wrong because they only sell individual cars, and you need more than one of each car to make up the train. The cab roof detail items on the Kato are larger, and there are different details on the ends and underneath each car (different manufacturer ???). Tomix's underbody details are a darker gray, and the pantographs on the Tomix a very light gray, whereas the Kato has a lot darker gray. At a distance though, very hard to pick which set is which unless you look at the couplers, and your purchase may come down to what is available or which brand you like better ...

 (back to top of page)

Model of the Month

August 2004

(see photo above)

This month, the featured model is a prototypically full 11 car set of the Tomix E231-500 series EC (Yamanote line). See details of this set in the review above. The special deal consists of 1x 92260, 1x 92261 & 2x 92262 (which also contain the cases to store your train in).

Special price for this month will be A$399.00. The normal retail would be A$470.00 and the MSRP is A$555.00. If you would like to get this train but cannot fit a full 11 car set (1,500mm) on your layout, write directly to us and we will work out a deal on a shorter version. 

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 Japanese-only 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 (in Japanese). 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. 9 Tomix 5536 Selector Switch Box N
Tomix 5535 Reverser Switch Box N
Tomix 5560 5 light colour light signal
Vol. 1-No. 10 Platz & Hogarakadou Hakodate Transport container sets 
Tomix 5560 5 light colour light signal (update)

Vol. 1-No. 12

Tomix 92929 100 series TEC 16 car set 'Sayonara100'
MicroAce A0311 781 series EC 6 car set 'Doraemon Undersea Train'
Vol. 1-No. 13 Kato 10-476 Kiha283 series DC 6 car set 'Super Ohzora'
Tomix E231-500 series EC 11 car set (Yamanote line)

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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