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16th April, 2005 |
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CONTENTS
Other Pages
Index page of previous Product & DVD
RELEASE INFORMATION
NEWS |
EDITORIAL
Thanks to everyone for their positive comments about the changes I made last time, to create a 'new-look' Newsletter !!! It is a bit lopsided this time, with many new releases from MicroAce, and I will try to bring you pictures of all the new items that come out. 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 the Japanese Model Train News Yahoo! discussion group with any comments you may have. This newsletter is available by subscription, unless you are a customer of 'Japanese Model Supplies'. Normal rate is US$1.00 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) a lot less than just 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. Also please note that the contents of this publication are
copyright, and may not be reproduced without permission. |
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April 2005
Kato 10-237 787 series EC 7 car set 'Relay Tsubame' This is the latest version of the 'Tsubame', that has been around since the early 1990's. It goes from Hakata to Shin-Yatsushiro to connect to the new 800 series JR Kyushu Shinkansen service. It is different to the previous Kato release, with a modified buffet car, and the body colour is a darker gray. There is also a lot more different lettering on the car sides. Special price for this month for this 3 car set will be A$220.00. The normal retail would be A$265.00 and the MSRP is A$305.00. Stocks of these monthly specials will be limited, and will be sold on a 'first paid - first allocated' basis.
May 2005 - Tomix 92292 Kiha58 series DC 4 car set 'Sakyuu' 15th April 2005 Tomix announced a new limited edition release for July ... 93939 0 series TEC 6 car set '30th Anniversary of the Sanyo Shinkansen' (White with blue stripes) - „17,500 In June, they will release the following, along with extra interchangeable headmarks ... 92296 JNR 485 series EC 4 car set 'bonnet' type with Kuro481-0 type car (Cream / red) - „16,800 This can be added on to with the previously released 485 cars. Planned future re-releases (with out specific dates) are ... 92235 455(475) series EC 3 car set The first in 'The Truck Collection' has now officially been announced, and there will be 3 types of vehicles - 1950's Isuzu TX (4 types), 1960's Nissan Diesel UD Sangrade (2 types) & the latest Hino Profina (6 types). More details when they come to hand. Kato announced their release in July of ... 12th April 2005 MicroAce announced their new releases for September ... A1051 Meitetsu 3400 series EC 4 car set 'Caterpillar' (Scarlet) - „14,000 Here is a small poster showing the new items. 15th April 2005 Bandai have re-released their 'Working Vehicle' #3 truck set. 13th April 2005 MicroAce released the following ... A8602 Sotetsu New 6000 series EC 8 car set
A8604 Sotetsu New 6000 series EC 8 car set
A5260 EF58-86 series EL + 44 series PC 6 car set 'Sakura'
12th April 2005 Kato released the last three items in the Diotown accessories range - the town & street accessories and the garden & car park. I will review these items next issue.
MicroAce released the following ... A0802 161/157 series EC 9 car set 'Toki'
A0803 181 series EC 8 car set 'Toki'
11th April 2005 Greenmax have re-released the Kintetsu 20000 ACE 4 car set.
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Kato 10-237 787 series EC 7 car set 'Relay Tsubame' (see picture in 'Model of the Month' section) This is one of the latest trains running in Kyushu, and is used as the 'bridge' between Hakata and Shin-Yatsushiro, where the Kyushu Shinkansen 800 series 'Tsubame' starts. When you do the trip from Hakata to Kagoshima, you actually only get one ticket, and the trains meet next to each other at Shin-Yatsushiro on a temporary track, so you just have to cross the platform. The set is basically the same as a 7 car 'normal' Tsubame set, except that the Buffet car now has seating and tables only - not a service or kitchen area. Therefore the window arrangement has changed slightly - all other cars are the same as the previous release. So except for that one car, this is really only a re-paint from Kato. However also new are the headlight covers, and grab handles around the cab windows. The body is a dark gray overall with the roof the same colour, and the underbody details a similar gray. So the silver A/C units really stand out !!! The set still also have the silver wheels :-( There are several small parts to add to the roof areas, and a comprehensive sheet of car numbers and destinations is provided. The multitude of lettering on this train is all present, but in some cases I think could be a little sharper. The lights are quite bright, and the motor runs smoothly and quietly. If you like modern trains or JR Kyushu, this is a welcome release !!! Company : Teichiku Records
Another trip on a 'loop' line - this time the 'outer' loop of Tokyo that is made up of the Nambu, Musashino & Keiyo lines. This gives a route that trains (particularly freight) can approach on the Tokaido line from the south, and go north or eastwards without going around the busy Yamanote line, or through the middle of Tokyo. This DVD covers the portion from Fuchu-honmachi on the Nambu line to Ichikawa-shiohama on the Keiyo line, and then into Tokyo. Much of this line is underground !!! After a short intro, showing trains running on various parts of the line, the main menu appear, with 4 options available ...
For another glimpse of the many and varied railway operations in the greater Tokyo area, this is a useful addition to your DVD library. |
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(ADVERTISING) This information service is sponsored by ... Japanese Model Supplies o New and second-hand Japanese trains As mentioned above, 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. Other suppliers have recently been broadening their ranges, and supply other things like computer games, and Chinese & European trains - 'Japanese Model Supplies' will always stay with Japanese-only products. 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, who refuse to ship to the USA etc) !!! See their web page at the address listed above for all the information on what has been
produced and how to get it. 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 (but only 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 ... |
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Abbreviation |
Explanation |
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TEC |
Shinkansen (Bullet train) |
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EC |
Electric car (EMU) |
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DC |
Diesel car (DMU) |
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PC |
Passenger car |
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FC |
Freight car |
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SL |
Steam loco |
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EL |
Electric loco |
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DL |
Diesel loco |
E & O E - best viewed 1024x768
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Page contents copyright 2005 - Doug Coster
Photos copyright of the respective manufacturers & Railcraft Awaza Osaka.