Greenmax Train Kit

[disturbman]

This things make me fantasized... a lot... Assembling parts, building your own train...  :drool: It seems to great to be true.

But however, It also makes me wonder... a lot... Is is hard? Do you need glue? Are the results or even the feelings of pulling this together great (;D)? Is the box big and should I order one thru SAL?...

Anyway, I'd like to ask you if someone here have some hinsights on the subject? Did one of you all ever try to make one? I know I will someday but I'd like to have more informations.

[Tenorikuma]

I want to make one too, but I'm kind of lost. You definitely have to glue or solder, and things like the base, trucks, and pantographs are sold separately.

[Bernard]

I hope I am understanding you correctly, you are talking about assembling a train (I sometimes get mixed up with their structure kits) I have built 2 of their train kits and I really enjoyed them. There is a different degree of difficulty with the kits. I found the pre-colored kits easier to build, most of the shells are pre-built and some include the motor unit.
The Economy kits are a little harder, you will have to build the shells and making sure that they are corners are squared off to fit the chassis. Before you start assembly, I recommend you clean the plastic parts, file down any spurs and then paint the parts. When completed the trains run great. My one complaint I have with the kits is that the motor chassis can easily slip out of the shell, so be careful when picking up a motor car.
You will need to use glue on the kits but more with the economy kits. I recommend looking at the Hobby Search inventory list and you will find pictures of the contents of each kit and decide which is best for you.
I would go for it, the whole experience is very satisfying. (I have also built 3 Bowser HO metal steam engine kits and they were much harder than the Green max kits)
Here is a photo of the pre-colored kit I made:
http://jnsforum.com/gallery/22_09_06_08_4_17_06.jpg

and here is a photo of the Economy kit I assembled and painted:
http://jnsforum.com/gallery/22_09_06_08_4_13_05.jpg

The trucks came with the 2 kits I purchased and there wasn't any soldering but I did have to order pantographs on one kit. If you do decide to order an unpainted kit, I also recommend using an airbrush to paint it.

[Tenorikuma]

There's a company that makes acrylics in both jars and spray cans mixed for specific railway colours, so you can get Meitetsu scarlet or Kintetsu orange and be confident it will match the prototype.

[disturbman]

You definitely have to glue or solder, and things like the base, trucks, and pantographs are sold separately.

I think it depends of the kit, there is some who seems to come with everything.

I hope I am understanding you correctly, you are talking about assembling a train.

You understood me quite clearly. I was speaking about their train kits. Thanks for sharing your experience, it look really interesting to do.

A last question, do you have the feeling they look more toy like? I mean, do they look a lot more plastic than the pre-assembled normal sets?

[Fenway Park]

I have built two Green Max pre coloured kits for the Kiha 23 and Kiha 45. One went together better than the other. Had to file down the glazing strips to get a good fit and the fall plates are attached to the top of the body shell!!

The chassis relies on sticky tape pads to fix the body on so far so good.

Pleased with the results, so much so was not tempted to order the Micro Ace version when they were released. They also came with TN couplers so can be mixed in with the other DMUs in the collection.

[CaptOblivious]

Here's GM's step-by-step guide to assembling the Keisei 3700 pre-painted kit:

http://www.greenmax.co.jp/Kit/GMtosk00.shtml

[disturbman]

Here's GM's step-by-step guide to assembling the Keisei 3700 pre-painted kit:

http://www.greenmax.co.jp/Kit/GMtosk00.shtml

Sweet but, my god, somethings look really complicated and nasty to realize. Anyway by looking at this guide I've allready learn things I didn't know about!  ::)

Until now I was cuting the stickers before applying them. I didn't thought it was possible to let apply directly from the big sheets. I feel a bit ashamed...  :-[

[Bernard]

Disturbman - The step by step link that CaptO gave says it all. And I agree with Fenway, the quality of kits are superb. If you are not sure of your skill level I recommend your 1st kit should be a pre-colored kit with everything you need included (Motor chassis, trucks & pantographs)
Tools I would use, an X-acto knife (to cut the plastic parts and decals, etc.) tooth picks to apply glue, small files to smooth the burs off the cut plastic parts & glue.

I can't say enough about how much fun it is to assemble a train and once you do it you'll want to try a more difficult one next time.

Fenway - do you have any photos of the Kihas you built to share?

[Fenway Park]

Will do later in the week as they are in store.

A further ooint re GM pre painted kits is that provided you are careful with the adhesive you end up with an excellent product that you have built yourself.

OK they are not cheap but most if not all of the pre painted kits are complete. It's a rare opportunity in the Japanese N gauge sector for some modelling as opposed to RTR.

[lbriand_fr]

Hi,

I'm planning to buy this set : http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10007364
But, before, I want to know if some of you have already made cars kits from Greenmax.
So, does the quality is at least equal to a Kato model?
Does the instructions have sufficient details for the painting?
And if you have some pictures of one of this "Economy Kits", it will be great!  8)

[disturbman]

You missed, I've created recently a thread with, allmost, the same subject: http://www.jnsforum.com/index.php/topic,1075.0.html

[Tenorikuma]

Unlike the "total kits", however, the economy kits do not come with trucks, pantographs, or a motor, so those are purchased separately. (The kit does tell you which ones to get.) Why they do this, I'm not sure; however, these are by far the most affordable trains you can get.

Green Max's guide to assembling the kits is online here:
http://www.greenmax.co.jp/Kit/GMkits00.shtml

Here are some nice photos of an economy kit someone assembled:
http://yaruki30.ifdef.jp/chichibu1000_orange/chichibu1000_orange.html

[lbriand_fr]

You missed, I've created recently a thread with, allmost, the same subject: http://www.jnsforum.com/index.php/topic,1075.0.html

Effectively... The thing happens when you search something, and ask about it 15 days later... ;D

[disturbman]

You missed, I've created recently a thread with, allmost, the same subject: http://www.jnsforum.com/index.php/topic,1075.0.html

Topics merged.

I wanted to add that I've ordered the Greenmax Keihin Kyoku 1500 series and I wanted to know if anyone knows a way to find the online assembling guide? If any exists. I'm totally at a loss with the Greemax Website.

[lbriand_fr]

Here is the content of the SUHA 32 Economy Kit.
I receive it today.

My first impression is:
Dérails are good (as all the other greenmax kits I have).
Inside is not represented, which is unfortunate.
Two types of chassis can be mounted, but they are not provided.
I received at the same time 7 SUHA44 from Kato, and for a comparable price (about $ 33 for 2 cars, including chassis), the Kato are better.
But for what I intend to do, the kit Greenmax suits me, because it avoid me to sacrifice Kato cars.
I intend to actually make a small diorama depicting a corner of abandoned train station.

I forget something. If you don't read japenese like me, the assembly guide is quite useless, but the diagrams are clear. The only problem is the colour scheme...
Now I have to search for colour pictures of real SUHA32.

[Bernard]

lbriand - Congratulations on getting the kit...now my big request since other members are thinking about assembling a train kit, would you mind taking photos at the different stages of your assembly? This will give others an idea what is involved. I recommend starting a new thread if you wish to do so.

[CaptOblivious]

The original color was likely (no references here to back this up) Grape #1 (pre WWII) or Grape #2 (post WWII)

[disturbman]

lbriand - Congratulations on getting the kit...now my big request since other members are thinking about assembling a train kit, would you mind taking photos at the different stages of your assembly? This will give others an idea what is involved. I recommend starting a new thread if you wish to do so.

If not, I will do it myself.  ;)

On another level, I will also try to make a photo-reportage of the assembly of the kit I'm waiting for. I should receive it this week or the next one.

@lbriand: it will be nice also if you can document the creation of your diorama. :)

[Fenway Park]

These coaches were always in brown. 

[Darren Jeffries]

I would be very interested in seeing how this goes together. As a scale modeller I am used to kits, but have never tackled coaches.

On a side note, I know that Humbrol do a range of railway colours, although they are primarily british outline. Does anyone know if anyone else is producing JR colours?

[disturbman]

To answer you Darren:

There's a company that makes acrylics in both jars and spray cans mixed for specific railway colours, so you can get Meitetsu scarlet or Kintetsu orange and be confident it will match the prototype.

We just need to find the name of the company.

[Martijn Meerts]

I believe Gunze has a variety of Japanese railway colours, but I don't think they come in spraycans.

[Tenorikuma]

I believe Gunze has a variety of Japanese railway colours, but I don't think they come in spraycans.

Green Max sells railway colours, including spray cans. The kit should actually say which colour(s) to buy.

[lbriand_fr]

lbriand - Congratulations on getting the kit...now my big request since other members are thinking about assembling a train kit, would you mind taking photos at the different stages of your assembly? This will give others an idea what is involved. I recommend starting a new thread if you wish to do so.

OK!
But before, I have to finish a 1/76 Sherman Firefly with a diorama, a 1/72 Fairey Seafox, a Greenmax track maintenance kit and 2 DCC conversions.
Maybe it's a good thing that I don't have place to begin a layout  :D
So it's possible that I'll make this topic in august  :P

[Bernard]

That's a full schedule of projects. Do it at your leisure and enjoy yourself.
I always find a few tidbits from other modelers about their approach to a project and say to myself, "next time I'm going to try that method."

[lbriand_fr]

I always find a few tidbits from other modelers about their approach to a project and say to myself, "next time I'm going to try that method."

Sorry, but what is "tidbits"?

[Bernard]

tidbits = in my post means "pieces of information"

[disturbman]

I received my package and will post some pictures of the content later on.

[disturbman]

I received my package and will post some pictures of the content later on.

Done, here

[CaptOblivious]

Question: Do the Greenmax trucks/bogies come with pickups? I am thinking about buying some of these kits, but I will very much want to install headlights. Of course, that would be very hard if there's no power coming from the trucks…

[Darklighter]

Inside is not represented, which is unfortunate.

Does this apply to all economy kits?

[CaptOblivious]

Inside is not represented, which is unfortunate.

Does this apply to all economy kits?

Yeah, I think that is the rule: Don't expect much from Greenmax interiors. I'd be willing to bet there's room for you to model it yourself, if you're feeling ambitious.

[keiman]

Have built a couple of the Greenmax economy coaches- mine were grey to start with.
Cheap way to get coaches.
Painted mine with Acrylic Humbrol Railcolours, unfortunately the blue in not really the shade I wanted but will do for stock sitting in a siding, or tacked on the end of a train as old stock.

[Densha]

I have some question about some Greenmax kits.

First, which paint should be used? I mean, Greenmax' descriptions have some codes for paint, so far I know it's the paint from Greenmax itself, but what should I get in case I can't get their paints?

Are boogies included in unassembled kits like these? If not, how to get them? And do kits with boogies included exist? And are decals included in it or not?

Many thanks!

[ease]

Well I've had a few Greenmax kits... I've never had one with the boogies you mention (which judging by your picts are non runnable passenger cars?).

The kits include sheets of decals without directions as to where they go on the model (you have to look at the package image/guess).
The windows are made using included thin sheets of clear plastic to cut/fit/glue in place from the inside of the model....

I just use Testors enamel paints on my Greenmax Kits.

Overall I think the Greenmax kits are cheap fun... with lots of room to showcase your personal skill at turning crude to fine.

I like the other brands for their simplicity and refinement.. but Greenmax makes some cool stuff at a cheap price if you have the time to refine.
thats my 2 cents.

[Densha]

I assume those kits are made to be runnable, that's what's my impression is at least. Since they are pretty cheap I was thinking about maybe using them for experiments, since I've never built trains myself.
Hmmm... it should be possible to get the boogies somewhere. At this page I read that the "economy kits" don't have boogies included, but that you should indeed buy them separate. After searching I found this list at HC: http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/list/565/0/3 I think this is the one I should get if I would get the coach I mentioned before, for the others it says exactly which boogie belongs to which train.
I also did read somewhere though that the bottom plate is also not included, what is the case with this?

But does Testor also have paints that have the colors that are used on Japanese trains then? For buildings it doesn't matter if it's not exactly what greenmax says, but for trains it is.

When I count up the kit and boogies (not to forgot the tools I need, which of course can be reused) the total comes close to a brand-new kato carriage though.

Also, I found this thread, I don't know if someone wants to combine it or leave them. http://www.jnsforum.com/index.php?topic=1075.0

[disturbman]

But does Testor also have paints that have the colors that are used on Japanese trains then? For buildings it doesn't matter if it's not exactly what greenmax says, but for trains it is.

Well, that's your opinion. I'm sure not everyone agrees and maybe you can find things that are the same or so near that you will not even notice the difference.

You could also test yourself with the pre-painted kits first. :)

[Densha]

Yeah, I prefer pre-colored of course, but there aren't many pre-colored kits available so far I know.

[Darklighter]

I think this is the one I should get if I would get the coach I mentioned before, for the others it says exactly which boogie belongs to which train.

The article description of the train kit says that you need this boogie: http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10007743 ;)

I guess the bottom plate is the piece underneath the sidewall in the middle of the package.

[Densha]

:facepalm
I guess I overlooked it.

Even if that would be the bottom plate, what would be the roof then? And I'm also missing those devices hanging under the car. In the optional items it also says "Vehicle Mark ●: No.6310" though.

To get back to the pre-colored kits: is there some overview page of the pre-colored kits anywhere?

[keitaro]

for paints i think they use tamiya paints or atleast i do recall the monorail kit mentions tamiya paints and they are readily available in australia would assume the same for US, UK and Europe?

I have done pre-coloured kits x 2 and unpainted kit x1.

you can buy the powered units from GM as well for unpainted economy kits.

Also there is a pretty strong community doing unpainted kits and kitbashing into other variants.

You may also be interested in this as well, Amagi modelling idea make the shell only in brass then the rest is for you to do yourself.
example you buy the kotohira model it is just the shell in brass. You paint it.

kotohira 1013 3 car
http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10167853

You then add
Pantograph PS16N
 http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10098922

Bogie Type Nissha Type-D (Gray)
 http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10007761

Power Unit Type Nissha Type-D (18m Class) (Gray)
 http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10007790

and any suitable 18m economy kit to get the under cariage for the other 2 cars.
perhaps this or you can make your own
http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10030709

[Densha]

That one is a bit too expensive, mainly for the reason that I don't have any experience in building trains. I want to start with a cheap one so that if it fails, I don't have spend so many money on it.

I know that there are powered bases available, but I'm curious if the kits with only passenger cars include a (non-motor of course) bottom plate or not. I assume they do, but I don't see it on the pictures on HS.

What do you mean with the last paragraph?:
"and any suitable 18m economy kit to get the under cariage for the other 2 cars.
perhaps this or you can make your own
http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10030709"

It does look like these do include a bottom plate at least because of the gaps in the plastics: http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10007362

[keitaro]

all kits come with the shell and under carriage for making a static model

however you still need to buy extras as in for the one i linked

bogie's http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10007757
and the pantograph http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10007728

as noted for the amagi you buy the kit for the under carriage x 2 to have a base for the shell and the bogies to attach to.

afaik all economy kits except maybe a few require the bogies and pantograph and power unit.

for the one you linked you require just this

TR23 http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10007770 x 4 of course
 

[Densha]

What do you mean with "under carriage"?

So that means everything in economy kits is included except for the boogies and pantographs?

as noted for the amagi you buy the kit for the under carriage x 2 to have a base for the shell and the bogies to attach to.

afaik all economy kits except maybe a few require the bogies and pantograph and power unit.

You are talking about the trainsets that need motors now right? (those EMU's and such, not carriages like these: http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10007362)
But are bottom plates actually also included in EMU kits if one doesn't want to make it a model without motor?

[keitaro]

check this page they also mention tamiya

http://www.greenmax.co.jp/Kit/GMkits00.shtml

should be this one even on the gm site only mentions stickers and the bogie

undercarriage means the base and details to glue under there

every kit is different the one you link of course does not need a pantograph or motor but any one that is a emu will require that ect.

[Densha]

I finally found some relative cheap pre-colored Greenmax kits:
http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10113682
http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10007560

So far I get it the computer translation, both sets include a motor and all boogies. It also shows on the picture and I presume the white striped box is the package from the motor.
So it would be just glueing all other parts right?

Here's another bit of info about it:
http://www.mid-9.com/1m-greenmax/1015t.htm
http://www.mid-9.com/1m-greenmax/1018t.htm

[disturbman]

You got it right.

[Densha]

I just noticed there are no TN couplers included, does anyone knows where I can get them? (Tomix JC-63 and for the Kiha 45 it would be two times JC-63 and two times JC-62)