What is a "Convex B" switcher

[KenS]

I found the photo below while doing some research on the Etchujima Cargo Line, (the page is actually for the freight station at the end of the line) a former freight branch in Koto ward now used by JR for offloading rail from ships.

 

The caption identifies it as a "convex B-type", "convex shape locomotive B" or "Ren B double convex shape" locomotive when I run it through Google Translate. But is that the real name?

 

I'm guessing its a translator glitch, but it could be a reference to the cennter-cab design.  The "B" part clearly refers to the axel count, but does this model have a formal desigation of any kind, or is it like western "critters" where there's no formal model designation (or at least none known/used by railfans)?

 

Given the green JR logo, I'm guessing its a maintenance of way vehicle for JR East. Only in Japan would such a vehicle look like a puppy. 

 

Anyone know more about these?

[bill937ca]

 

I'm guessing its a translator glitch, but it could be a reference to the cennter-cab design.  The "B" part clearly refers to the axel count, but does this model have a formal desigation of any kind, or is it like western "critters" where there's no formal model designation (or at least none known/used by railfans)?

 

 

 

The letter B refers to the number of powered axles.

 

http://sunny-life.net/train_symbol/trainsymbol.htm#DieselLocomotives

[jappomania]

:laughing7:

I can't believe! it's fantastic! I hope this is the next Kato or Microace diesel loco

if someone find more photos please reply

 

ciao

Massimo

[bill937ca]

There are some small locomotives already available.  But how much pullling power these small engines have is a question.

 

Type C diesel Kawai

 

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10095282

 

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10081007

 

Type C4 Pro Hobby

 

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10073165

 

Sakai 5t Aoshima

 

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10077959

 

Edit:

 

I found something in Japanese Wikipedia under "wagon movement machine," which I suppose implies these are not looked upon as locomotives.

 

http://www.excite-webtl.jp/world/english/web/?wb_url=http%3A%2F%2Fja.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2F%25E8%25B2%25A8%25E8%25BB%258A%25E7%25A7%25BB%25E5%258B%2595%25E6%25A9%259F&wb_lp=JAEN&wb_dis=2

 

http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%B2%A8%E8%BB%8A%E7%A7%BB%E5%8B%95%E6%A9%9F

[KenS]

This is interesting.  Based on the "wagon movement machine" page, the same type of engine can be called a "locomotive" if it has a "census register" (number?).  And I found a couple of YouTube videos of what appears to be an identical unit (except in a boring yellow paint scheme) with number plates reading "DB251".

 

That in itself is interesting, because usually the two-letter code (D for diesel, B for two-axel) is followed by a number designating the class (as in DE10), then the unit number.  But this just has "DB" followed by the unit.  Perhaps it's a generic "class" for all two-axel diesel switchers that need to be designated as "locomotives".

 

 

 

[marknewton]

The caption identifies it as a "convex B-type", "convex shape locomotive B" or "Ren B double convex shape" locomotive when I run it through Google Translate. But is that the real name? I'm guessing its a translator glitch, but it could be a reference to the cennter-cab design. 

 

I've noticed that steeple-cab electric locos are often referred to as "convex shape" in the same manner, so presumably it is a reference to the centre cab.

 

Cheers,

 

Mark.

[marknewton]

This is interesting.  Based on the "wagon movement machine" page, the same type of engine can be called a "locomotive" if it has a "census register" (number?).

 

I'll hazard an educated guess and suggest that the distinction between a "wagon movement machine" and a loco is a regulatory one, based on how the unit is equipped. If the unit is equipped for mainline running, by being fitted with vigilance/alerter control, ATC, driver's automatic brake valve etc, then it is regarded as a loco and numbered and operated as such. But if it isn't, it would be regarded as a wagon movement machine, and operated accordingly. From the information on this page - http://www.excite-webtl.jp/world/english/web/?wb_url=http%3A%2F%2Fja.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FJR%25E5%258C%2597%25E6%25B5%25B7%25E9%2581%2593DBR600%25E5%25BD%25A2%25E3%2583%2587%25E3%2582%25A3%25E3%2583%25BC%25E3%2582%25BC%25E3%2583%25AB%25E6%25A9%259F%25E9%2596%25A2%25E8%25BB%258A&wb_lp=JAEN&wb_dis=2 it's apparent that wagon movement machines can only run on mainlines under absolute block working.

 

"The motor car used by maintaining railway tracks and clearing snow is "Machine" treatment and not "Railway vehicle. " on regulations. Therefore, when driving, it is necessary not to make to the train treatment, and to do "Blocking up of track" to prevent a regular train from putting it."

 

I've only seen few of these "critters", but none of them had alerters, ATC, automatic brake valve or any other equipment that would make them capable of main-line running.

 

All the best,

 

Mark.

[CaptOblivious]

This is interesting.  Based on the "wagon movement machine" page, the same type of engine can be called a "locomotive" if it has a "census register" (number?).  And I found a couple of YouTube videos of what appears to be an identical unit (except in a boring yellow paint scheme) with number plates reading "DB251".

 

Look closely, and you'll see that this is not at all the same build as the puppy-dog JRE ones you found.

 

Arumodel, mentioned in another thread, has brass models that look kind of like these little diesel centercabs. I wonder if that wouldn't be the best route to go, make one of those up. Then you could paint it with those cute puppy dog faces :D

[KenS]

This is interesting.  Based on the "wagon movement machine" page, the same type of engine can be called a "locomotive" if it has a "census register" (number?).  And I found a couple of YouTube videos of what appears to be an identical unit (except in a boring yellow paint scheme) with number plates reading "DB251".

 

Look closely, and you'll see that this is not at all the same build as the puppy-dog JRE ones you found.

 

Arumodel, mentioned in another thread, has brass models that look kind of like these little diesel centercabs. I wonder if that wouldn't be the best route to go, make one of those up. Then you could paint it with those cute puppy dog faces :D

 

They're not identical, I'll grant you; the short hood is more angular on the "puppy dog", and the yellow DB lacks handrails around the long hood. But the windows, exhaust stack, radiator grille, and general shap of the long hood and cab seem close to identical. I'd say they're the same design but different generations (incremental design changes; the puppy dogs have more "modern" lines) or from different manufacturers. Or possibly customized for different railroads (JRE vs JRF) or tasks (MoW vs freight switching).  Is there something else you're seeing?

 

I don't think I could paint that kind of detail in N scale.  Maybe it could be done with computer-printed decals.

 

I no longer have a freight branch in my current layout design, so I probably wouldn't try to make one.  Though a pair of these would be a really nice touch in a yard.

[CaptOblivious]

The short hood is also considerably wider on the puppy dogs (which, btw, is a great name for this kind of loco generally…"puppy dogs", ha!)

 

But you're right, they're at least as much similar as they are different.

 

 

Also, I think the reason they get translated as "convex" is because the Kanji for "convex" is 凸, which is also a nice visual pun. I suspect the meaning comes from the visual pun, and not any particular geometric reference.

[westfalen]

Things often translate differently. In Taiwan, and I'm sure I've seen the term in Japan as well, a round house is called in English a 'fan shaped garage'.

[marknewton]

Also, I think the reason they get translated as "convex" is because the Kanji for "convex" is 凸, which is also a nice visual pun. I suspect the meaning comes from the visual pun, and not any particular geometric reference.

 

I reckon you're right, after seeing that kanji. 

 

Cheers,

 

Mark.

[bill937ca]

Something similar

 

http://rail.hobidas.com/blog/natori/090211n03.jpg

 

http://rail.hobidas.com/blog/natori/archives/2009/02/post_948.html

[keiman]

There are some small locomotives already available.  But how much pullling power these small engines have is a question.

 

 

Type C4 Pro Hobby

 

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10073165

 

Pulling power of this one is really only 2 Wamu 8000 wagons or one coach at a push - I have one and they are so light. Bandai with Kato 106 chassis has more polling power on Tomix 103 curves.

[bill937ca]

I came across some photos of various small locomotives listed as "motor cars," part of a larger site on Japanese trains.

 

http://tekkenweb.sakura.ne.jp/tekken/motorcar/rmotorcar001.html

 

http://tekkenweb.sakura.ne.jp/tekken/index.html

[KenS]

Good find.  I particularly liked the one with a crane attached to it. Actually, there were two, but the second didn't look as good.

 

It would seem a variey of these are used for track maintenance, and at least one is shown operating on what appears to be mainline track, even though it doesn't have a "DB" marking & number (although it does have a number, "0077").