Rob, South Wales,

[sunbeam]

Hi,

 

I've been here for quite a while, since mid 2011, but very rarely posted other than when I need a bit of help. This help has been there from you forum guy's, so thank you.

 

It has been pointed out to me that it would be helpful to some if I were to expand on who I am and what I do, so here goes.

 

My name is Robert Bushill,

I'm 45 years old,

I live in Cwmbran in South Wales UK.

I've been collecting Japanese N for over 20 years.

I used to buy most of my stuff from Tony ( I'm sure you knew him, no need to explain!)

The rest came from MG Sharp (again, I'm sure you knew them!)

I normally now buy from Plaza Japan.

I've also had some interaction with Doug Coster.

 

I built the 22 foot long JR Coast Janpanes N layout and displayed it at the 35th National N gauge show.

JR Coast was one of the first big Japanese Railways in the UK to be shown. It was sold about 5 years ago to a guy in Brum, UK via Ebay.

 

I was invited to, and displayed JR Coast at the big Japanese conference in Cardiff some years ago, where all the leaders of the Japanese railways and UK government met to talk about how the Japanese system worked and how it could be applied in the UK.

 

The designer of the 300 series Bullet train was there and signed my Tomix 300 inner sleeve. This was an honour as apparently the Japanese don't do signatures! (still have that set)

 

Can be seen here http://www.ngaugesoc...rnid=65&page=65

 

I was employed by the largest UK model car diecast manufactures for 7 years as the master model maker.

I left that job 2 years ago and went self employed in the railway modelling industry.

I fly model Helicopters to 3D standard,

I race model power boats,

I race model cars,

I made and ran a business making scale model boats,

I made and ran a business making 5" gauge model locomotives,

 

I now earn a living making 16mm railway models. I make all the masters by hand after standing in the wind and rain measuring up real loco's and wagons. Every part of my business is done by me, by hand, from thinking of what to make to posting out a finished product. It is a truly hand made business. No CNC here, only 'real' modelling !!!!!

 

The business is called Swift Sixteen and can be found here www.swiftsixteen.com

 

There is obviously much more to know about my modelling past, as it is very wide and varied, but you now know some of the very basics.

 

I'd post more on this forum, but I know nothing about railways and even less about Japanese anything. All I know is I love trains, love Japanese railways and how to make a model railway.

 

 

Rob.

Edited February 9, 2016 by sunbeam

[railsquid]

Welcome (from someone who merely buys stuff and bodges it into place hoping the glue doesn't show up too much).

 

The designer of the 300 series Bullet train was there and signed my Tomix 300 inner sleeve. This was an honour as apparently the Japanese don't do signatures! (still have that set)

 

Going by the tarento ("celebrity") signatures displayed prominently in restaurants, bars etc. here, I'd say that isn't the case. But still nice to have.

Edited February 9, 2016 by railsquid

[cteno4]

Welcome Rob! You have similar interest to many on the list (number of rc folks). Great having s professional modeler here as well! Really wonderful to see someone doing it all old school bu hand! Glad to see there are folks that are still willing to pay for that craftsmanship!

 

Many here don't know a lot about the prototypes (but it is a great place to learn if you want to, lots of helpful people to ask questions of or get pointed to good content), but half the forum is on modeling, so right up your alley! It's a great place to pass on modeling wisdom, techniques, etc as its good to get that old craftsman knowledge out there as its just not as accessible anymore and good to keep it alive!

 

Also a number of Brits on the list so you may find some more kindred Modelers in your area.

 

Look forward to you posts.

 

Jeff

[Claude_Dreyfus]

I remember JR Coast at the NGS 35th. I was still modelling UK at that time, and was part of the West Sussex modular layout.

[sunbeam]

It's good to know somebody remembers JR Coast, I'm quite chuffed about that :)

[Welshbloke]

Welcome!

 

I'm in the wild wilderness bit up beyond the Brecon Beacons. Do manage to get down to Lord and Butler once in a while, although their stock of Unitrack seemed to be getting very sparse last time I visited (and they didn't seem sure when they'd be able to replenish it). Did buy a used Kato 117 Series from them last year, but seem to be getting most of my stock from Plaza, Modeltrainplus, AmiAmi, and The Hereford Model Centre (who're now stocking a small quantity of Unitrack).

[sunbeam]

I've just discovered Modeltrainplus. They have gone out of their way twice for me in the last month finding Tomix spares for two of my Second Hand Ebay wins. They came up with the items each time, fantastic shop for me so far :)

 

Because of there help and service, I've got another £350 order coming from them as I type

 

I'll look into AmiAmi, not heard of them.

[Fenway Park]

Hi Rob, 

 

Welcome aboard. I remember when Tony had a section of your JR Coast layout in his shop. Very impressive scenery. 

 

Currently waiting for the new house to be finshed, then I can start my project in the garage. 

 

Tony has moved from Germany to Spain and is building or rebuilding his Basingstoke layout in a museum building near Tarragona. 

 

Malcolm

[railsquid]

Are there any pictures of "JR Coast" available online? I tried searching various terms but just get lots of results referencing JR, coasts and n gauge layouts.

[tossedman]

Welcome aboard Rob. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

[sunbeam]

Are there any pictures of "JR Coast" available online? I tried searching various terms but just get lots of results referencing JR, coasts and n gauge layouts.

The link is in the main post at the top, I'll also add it to my Signature.

I've got some of my own pics somewhere. It shows it being made and fully finished all the way round. If I can find them, I'll post them here.

[kvp]

There should be a video of your layout from the 2002 show but it's for members only. If you could share it, that would be great!

[sunbeam]

I can't see it either :(

 

I'd love to as I've never seen it !

[Kabutoni]

Welcome Rob, I vividly remember the JR coast layout, as that was at the time when I entered the realm of Japanese trains (and culture). In that time, the world of Japanese model trains has grown a lot abroad...

[sunbeam]

I did try and get the railway into Continental Modeller, and another railway show, But the name of the railway was causing problems (JR Coast) because it was wrongly being associated with JR Models. Although I did know JR Models personally (as many of us did) and he did attend the N show with me, he had nothing to do with MY railway.

 

Most of my original Japanese N collection was sold off about 8 years ago and I tried Z for about a year. I decided Japanese N was as good as it gets, so sold off all the Z and went back to Japanese N. I now have a collection twice as big as my original. I bought back all the sets I really loved and for the most part, stuck with Kato rather than Tomix this time. At the time, I felt Kato ran better than Tomix, but now on my second time round, some of the Tomix sets I have are totally amazing !! my NEX being one, the running ability of that Tomix set is totally out of this world !!!

 

I will be making another Japanese N layout and I think I've got a plan, but it's been hard to think of something that will work for me these days and still be storable, portable, showable and interesting !

 

I think I'm there though ;-)

[Welshbloke]

 

I'll look into AmiAmi, not heard of them.

 

Just be a bit careful if you're on a shared computer or a work one. They stock some very peculiar stuff, including figures of scantily-clad anime and manga characters, and (probably the weirdest I came across at random on their ebay page) a humanoid rabbit covered in "blood" and holding a large knife! They're trustworthy though and stock some things which are hard to find elsewhere, like Tomytec and Bandai B-Train Shorties. Waiting for a Tomytec 107 Series from them at the moment in fact.

[Fenway Park]

As Rob Welsh Bloke and I are close together, perhaps we should meet up.

[sunbeam]

As Rob Welsh Bloke and I are close together, perhaps we should meet up.

Totally, I've never had anybody to play Japanese N with, ever !!!

[sunbeam]

won another 3 engines on Ebay today and a 700 8 car set. Hopefully will be perfect condition as listed!

[cteno4]

As Rob Welsh Bloke and I are close together, perhaps we should meet up.

Always so great to see!

[sunbeam]

I'm still up for a 3 way meet up :)

Anybody want to suggest a meeting place?

I have a very portable 8x3 four road base board we can run on.

[Fenway Park]

Count me in. Some weekends are tied up as my mother in law is recovering following an operation, which involves trips to Hertfordshire. Evenings maybe easier.

 

Malcolm

[sunbeam]

 

 

Hi Malcolm,

 

Not sure how this would work, but I'm happy to come up one evening and play trains. Do you have track to run on? Maybe make something regular and get others to join in??

 

Oh dear, here I go again, N gauge area group organising all over again, 20 years later :-)

[Fenway Park]

No layout as such as new house under construction with completion May/June. Will have half the garage available to start project. 

 

I remember your N gauge Society nights. How many years ago? 

 

Malcolm

[sunbeam]

So when do we start ?