MicroAce

[disturbman]

They finally did it! They released the "ugliest train of the history of train".

http://www.hwjapan.com/sh/ACE12674.aspx
http://www.hwjapan.com/sh/ACE12675.aspx

Sure he is a bit ugly but I find him appealing in a disturbing way. And I must admit that I'm quite tempted to order this "pig on wheels". Am I sick? 

[CaptOblivious]

You are sick. But, thankfully, there is a cure.

(j/k, of course: Although it does look like a pig on wheels, it's intriguing, isn't it? A real conversation starter…)

[cteno4]

no you are not sick at all, its got some wonderful retro lines on it. there was a period when blocky was part of the sleek look. i find it interesting that it can push the flat in the face of the speed. i am sorely tempted myself!

it really looks like something out of the japanese cartoons of the 60s i watched as a kid.

cheers

jeff

[lbriand_fr]

I've seen it yesterdays on Hobby Search...
   "pig on wheels" 

Well just another one on my long, long wishlist 

[cteno4]

I succumbed the other night, the hw 20% off was too tempting... now the sal wait, will be a great surprise when it shows up. really is an interesting looking beast. i collect the trains i find interesting the most...

cheers

jeff

[Shashinka]

They finally did it! They released the "ugliest train of the history of train".

http://www.hwjapan.com/sh/ACE12674.aspx
http://www.hwjapan.com/sh/ACE12675.aspx

Sure he is a bit ugly but I find him appealing in a disturbing way. And I must admit that I'm quite tempted to order this "pig on wheels". Am I sick? 

I've seen much uglier than that. I swear, look at the BQ33-7, it was like GE's industrial designer was smoking a bowl of crack laced with pasta, topped with anchovies. And don't even get me started on what I think of those new E5's.

[GrahamH]

I had noticed it as well. It has an air of 50/60's tackiness. Sorry I looked at screen for quite a long times to think of a word to describe. Rather like tinplate Japanese model toys of the time. I'm not sure whether tackiness is understood by others.
It was on my strong possible buy.

Graham

[cteno4]

had something from childhood from me with the 60s japanese cartoons for me, space yamamoto and all with a bit of ultraman and thunderbirds thrown in.

jeff

[cteno4]

Got my pig on wheels yesterday (Tobu DRC Series 1720Limited Express KINU 6-cars set -- Renewal). it is a really interesting looking train and glad i got it. really has something to say in the evolution of japanese train design. just screams late 50s - early 60s design. the brown is also a very interesting color for it.

very happy with the new train! have not gotten any trains in a while (only some trams) so its going to be something new to run at the next jrm show!

jeff

[disturbman]

I'm officially jalous, I would crack too if I was not waiting for Microace to finally release their new Kiha261.

[cteno4]

the Kiha261 is another interesting face! it too is tempting... this one has a beefy but sleek thing going on.

maybe hw will have it cheap and i wont be able to resist... a new job just came in...

cheers

jeff

[disturbman]

Yeah, we all have a sickness.

Announcement: Microace just released a Shinkansen 100-9000 series 8 cars set and add-on.
http://www.hwjapan.com/sh/ace12142a.aspx
http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10074531

They also have a 200-0 Series coming in october.

[disturbman]

the Kiha261 is another interesting face! it too is tempting... this one has a beefy but sleek thing going on.

The new release date for the Kiha261 sets was set to November according to MicroAce's release sheet on their website.

[Nozomi]

I see this train for the first time in my life today. Is it a Volvo?

[cteno4]

LOL i was trying to put my finger on it and thats it! must have been a designer that loved volvos!

good one!

jeff

I see this train for the first time in my life today. Is it a Volvo?

[disturbman]

Microace is rereleasing the 283Kei Ocean Arrow Limited Express, pre-order are open. That's a nice looking train.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2150/2247714121_0e20822600.jpg

There is three different sets being released. The complete 6 car set and two 3 cars add-on set, each with a different pilot car.
http://www.microace-arii.co.jp/poster/img/09_10.jpg

Also, the manchurian steam locs are available in stores:
http://popondetta.com/blog/2009/10/post_124.html

[lbriand_fr]

Also, the manchurian steam locs are available in stores:
http://popondetta.com/blog/2009/10/post_124.html

The colour of these 2 Pashina looks better in your links that in these ones:
http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10090132
http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10090131
The Hobby search pictures shows models with a plastic look.

[Bernard]

Also, the manchurian steam locs are available in stores:
http://popondetta.com/blog/2009/10/post_124.html

The colour of these 2 Pashina looks better in your links that in these ones:
http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10090132
http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10090131
The Hobby search pictures shows models with a plastic look.

I believe Westfalen just ordered 1 of these steam engines. I like to know his thoughts on it when he gets it. Also is it decoder friendly.

[disturbman]

Also, the manchurian steam locs are available in stores:
http://popondetta.com/blog/2009/10/post_124.html

The colour of these 2 Pashina looks better in your links that in these ones:
http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10090132
http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10090131
The Hobby search pictures shows models with a plastic look.

Yeah, that's why I choosed to link Popondetta's blog. HW & HS pictures show both a model with a heavy plastic look.

But man, I do love the assorted carriages. They look incredible with their bulky look and their three axle bogies.
http://www.hwjapan.com/sh/ACE12920.aspx
http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10090130

[lbriand_fr]

I Have the 8404 set. It's a Pashina 12 and 7 cars.
The Pashina is in a black livery, and looks really great. But not DCC friendly.
I opened the Pashina since 3 month now, and I didn't found any time to put a DZ125 in it.
Obviously, it's the same work that for my C53-43.

The cars have a great look, with a very nice interior. But they don't run well.  The light's pickup almost block the wheels.
I have to fix this.

I'm waiting for this one:
http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10100669

[disturbman]

As of today started pre-order for MicroAce's April (or later if there is some postponements) products.

- JR East 719-0 Series (4 cars)
- JR 201 Series (8 cars orange version and 6 cars green version)
- JR 103 Series (6 cars light green version)
- JR Kiha 48 (2 cars set) - Joyfull train "Coaster View Winter"
- JR Kiha 40 and 48 (4 cars set) Hachinohe
- JNR EF56
- JNR EF53
- JNR Suha 43 (6 cars set in blue color)
- JNR Mail/Lugage train (6 cars set)
- JNR Moha 52 (4 cars in Shonan or maroon livery)
- Kintetsu 18400 (4 cars updated orange and blue livery and 2 cars Aozora livery)
- Soetetsu 6000 (4 cars old livery)

And HO, 183-1000 Series.

If someone has more informations or pictures on those two Kihas I wouldn't mind. ;)

[Toni Babelony]

- The first DMU is a dual-unit KIHA 48 Joyful Train rebuilt in 2000 in 'Torokko'-style, but for winter purposes. Sports classic light-bulbs in the interior for that old-skool feeling. This is a JR-East owned unit. (Japanese name reads: Byuu Koosutaa [Kazekko]; View Coaster Kazekko): http://www62.tok2.com/home/tsubame787/seat_dc48kazekko.html

- The second is a 4-car set made of two KIHA 40 and two KIHA 48 sets. These are in the typical 'Red Devil' livery for north-eastern Tohoku. These happen to be based in Hachinohe-depot, but there are also DMU in this livery based in Morioka. The KIHA 52, 58 and 65 series have similar liveries. This is a JR-East owned unit as well. http://sado-kin.sakura.ne.jp/railway/kinkou/ki40/ki40-06.htm

Hope this helps.

[disturbman]

Thanks Toni, I was wondering if the "hachinohe" Kiha 40/48 was not a special train. The front livery is a tad different than the normal plain white and red stripe.

I allready put a pre-order on the Byuu Koosutaa Joyfull train. I've been waiting a long time on such panoramic train.

[Claude_Dreyfus]

Some of those DMUs look rather tasty, and I'm certainly interested in the 201 

I heard a rumour that Micro Ace were also planning to produce (re-run?) the EF55. Is this actually being planned....I do hope so

[disturbman]

If you really are interested in the 201s, some are on sale at HW (http://www.hwjapan.com/sh/kenall_e.aspx?search=201%20microace&sender=kenall) and kato is going to rerelease a Chuo version in February (http://www.hwjapan.com/sh/KAT2009110503.aspx and http://www.hwjapan.com/sh/KAT2009110504.aspx).

[Toni Babelony]

I allready put a pre-order on the Byuu Koosutaa Joyfull train. I've been waiting a long time on such panoramic train.

Good job! I'm also planning on getting a Joyful train, but it's no that urgent. I still have some, KIHA that I've repainted in a very very ugly manner, a few years ago that are just waiting for a complete overhaul.

By the way, 'Kazekko' means 'Wind Child' or 'Child of the Winds'. A name for a product, not for a person, my gf just elaborated to me. I already assumed such a thing, but I had to make sure, so I asked her.

[disturbman]

I allready put a pre-order on the Byuu Koosutaa Joyfull train. I've been waiting a long time on such panoramic train.

Good job! I'm also planning on getting a Joyful train, but it's no that urgent.

That was not urgent either, I love the train that's all. In fact I allready have more or less two Joyfull Train (JR Shikoku Seto OohaShi and KTR Tango Explorer)

I still have some, KIHA that I've repainted in a very very ugly manner, a few years ago that are just waiting for a complete overhaul.

Can you spare a pic? 

[disturbman]

Like I said somewhere else, the E653 are out now.

[disturbman]

And for fun, the actual posters:

More details...

More details...

More details...

[Fenway Park]

Chris at Wellington Models has the Manchurian steam locos in stock. 01823 669636.

Just a satisfied customer.

[CaptOblivious]

Like I said somewhere else, the E653 are out now.

Out of stock you mean! Tenshodo still has it listed, and I'll be placing my order tonight, if they last that long...*sigh*

[disturbman]

Popon have them too. HW haven't listed them yet but i'm pretty sure they are going to have some soon.

[CaptOblivious]

Just placed my order with Tenshodo. Very excited! This is the one I've been waiting forbsince I got into this hobby.

[westfalen]

Also, the manchurian steam locs are available in stores:
http://popondetta.com/blog/2009/10/post_124.html

The colour of these 2 Pashina looks better in your links that in these ones:
http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10090132
http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10090131
The Hobby search pictures shows models with a plastic look.

I believe Westfalen just ordered 1 of these steam engines. I like to know his thoughts on it when he gets it. Also is it decoder friendly.

I'm still waiting for it, it's coming SAL, was shipped on 21st Oct so shouldn't be far away. We are having a T-TRAK meet in Brisbane this weekend and I was looking forward to running it there, so naturally it will turn up on monday.

[Toni Babelony]

I still have some, KIHA that I've repainted in a very very ugly manner, a few years ago that are just waiting for a complete overhaul.

Can you spare a pic? 

Sure. I've made some pictures today and placed them in my album on Facebook. Click on the link in my signature to see them.

[westfalen]

Also, the manchurian steam locs are available in stores:
http://popondetta.com/blog/2009/10/post_124.html

The colour of these 2 Pashina looks better in your links that in these ones:
http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10090132
http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10090131
The Hobby search pictures shows models with a plastic look.

I believe Westfalen just ordered 1 of these steam engines. I like to know his thoughts on it when he gets it. Also is it decoder friendly.

I'm still waiting for it, it's coming SAL, was shipped on 21st Oct so shouldn't be far away. We are having a T-TRAK meet in Brisbane this weekend and I was looking forward to running it there, so naturally it will turn up on monday.

I posted this on the 'What are you waiting to be delivered thread' then realised it was here we were talking about it.

Arrived today, the day after the big T-TRAK meet as I suspected it would. After a quick look at the mechanism I think DCC should be fairly easy as the motor is mounted the same as other Kato and Micro-Ace steamers, should be just a matter of cutting the brass wiper strips off the motor brushes so they don't contact the frames and soldering the decoder leads to the brushes, I'm think of putting the decoder in the cab roof above the motor to save taking too much apart, with me that's usually a death sentence for a steam loco. An engine this large and they still put the motor in the cab? The engine and tender couple pretty close though so you can't really see into the cab. The cars couple too far apart for my eyes, even on 11" radius curves so I'll be looking into replacing couplers. As someone posted the cars don't roll well but the engine doesn't even notice they are there, the boiler shell is full of weight and with traction tires should pull anything you put behind it, I'll give it a workout at the next club running day to see what it will do. I'll post some photos when I get a decoder installed. The models look better in the flesh, I'm thinking of getting the blue one as well.

[disturbman]

New Microace's product announcement. More Kiha 40, some 107 Kei and the return of the 811 Kei. Enjoy!

More details...

[Toni Babelony]

Hot damn! They're on a JR-K roll here! I really like the JR West Setouchi Marine View with its little details, but why the hell did JR East rebuilt a 107 series to look like a Hanshin RR train! O_o" Also, I laughed at the 811 Series imitating a Tohoku-livery express train with its green stripe.

[disturbman]

So Microace released today some new sets.

• EF55-1 in brown livery... a very nice loc. It would run well alongside Tobu's "Pig Face". Hum, Jeff ;) :D I wonder, was it used to pull passenger coaches?
• A Serie 207 in Yokohama line livery,
• Two version of the Hankyu Serie 9300,
• A Serie 159 and two Serie 113 in Shonan livery,
• A Serie 413 in New Koriku livery,
• A Kiha 261-0... too bad they postponed the -1000 version that was meant to be my Christmass gift from myself to myself. :( But I'm still very tempted to order this set.

Check out HS page for easy to find picture: http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/new/104

[Claude_Dreyfus]

Maybe HS haven't yet updated their availability...all look to be showing as sold out...

Certainly I am interested in EF55-1, which ran on specials up until very recently (the last year or so). I reckon it would look alright on my Suro 81 set 

[disturbman]

It happened a lot these last months... every thing new from MA was out of stock upon release at HS. Check out Popondette or wait for HW to list the new items. They allways take their time but they usually carry what HS doesn't have anymore.

[disturbman]

The EF55-1 at Popondetta, 5 in stock: http://www.popondetta.jp/asp/cgi-bin/shop.php?forward=gds_inf&back_screen=gds_srh&stock_no=571E0101G1400213

[bill937ca]

Maybe HS haven't yet updated their availability...all look to be showing as sold out...

That is why you need to pre-order to get many items.

[Claude_Dreyfus]

Managed to get my EF55-1.

Hobby World...

[scott]

- JR East 719-0 Series (4 cars)

Dang--how did I miss this before? Finally, a Tohoku set....but probably too expensive anyway. :-/

[disturbman]

Yeah... around 15.000 Yen I think. Too bad you missed the pre-order dead-line at HW. It will have been much cheaper. Maybe you can wait the release and shop it at Popon or HW. They are still far cheaper than HS.

[scott]

Yeah, I'll just hang back and wait for a better deal.

[cteno4]

Yeah... around 15.000 Yen I think. Too bad you missed the pre-order dead-line at HW. It will have been much cheaper. Maybe you can wait the release and shop it at Popon or HW. They are still far cheaper than HS.

i have gotten into the habit of looking at the new pre-order items at hw every few days as their pre-orders while usually great deals at 15-30% off list (the 30% off list on the galaxy 999 made all the difference!) they close the pre-orders pretty quickly and sometimes w/o a close date on the item. it usually then disappears from the site until the item is released and then its added back (sometimes with a few in stock, sometimes with a backorder). so if you want the better prices you have to be ready to hunt some! at least i find it fun to do, sort of the hunter/gatherer challenge like finding something you need at home despot!

cheers

jeff

[disturbman]

I do hope our ancestors were not feeding on trains... 

[cteno4]

Its the same stimulus/response loop in our monkey brains!

cheers

jeff