How to begin with...

Sure can do! I don't know why but I do love DMUs.

If you want the special japanese touch I will recomand those (I think Popondetta is the only one still  having some of them):

- http://www.popondetta.jp/asp/cgi-bin/shop.php?forward=gds_inf&back_screen=gds_srh&stock_no=571E0101G0200357 (all three are powered)

- http://www.popondetta.jp/asp/cgi-bin/shop.php?forward=gds_inf&back_screen=gds_srh&stock_no=571E0101G0600104

- http://www.popondetta.jp/asp/cgi-bin/shop.php?forward=gds_inf&back_screen=gds_srh&stock_no=571E0101G0600101

- http://www.popondetta.jp/asp/cgi-bin/shop.php?forward=gds_inf&back_screen=gds_srh&stock_no=571E0101G0600102

- http://www.popondetta.jp/asp/cgi-bin/shop.php?forward=gds_inf&back_screen=gds_srh&stock_no=571E0101G0600103

Or more classic in the spirit, these:

- http://www.popondetta.jp/asp/cgi-bin/shop.php?forward=gds_inf&back_screen=gds_srh&stock_no=571E0101G0012588 (two powered cars if I'm not making any mistake)

- Or Tomix Kiha40 "metropolitan" color scheme: http://www.hwjapan.com/sh/TOX84037.aspx (that's an exemple you have three different type of model -100, -500 or -2000 and each is also sold as a motorized or trailer car)

- http://www.hwjapan.com/sh/ACE119624.aspx

All are local DMUs.

Then you also can add some "Joyfull Trains", 3 cars DMUs:

- http://www.popondetta.jp/asp/cgi-bin/shop.php?forward=gds_inf&back_screen=gds_srh&stock_no=571E0101G0012863

- http://www.popondetta.jp/asp/cgi-bin/shop.php?forward=gds_inf&back_screen=gds_srh&stock_no=571E0101G0200353

And for the loc I will say, go for a DE10. Classic japanese.

- http://www.popondetta.jp/asp/cgi-bin/shop.php?forward=gds_inf&back_screen=gds_srh&stock_no=571E0101G0C00372

- http://www.popondetta.jp/asp/cgi-bin/shop.php?forward=gds_inf&back_screen=gds_srh&stock_no=571E0101G0800050

- Kato also did a run of those recently (http://www.hwjapan.com/sh/KAT52044.aspx or http://www.hwjapan.com/sh/KAT52045.aspx)

Another good loc is the DD51, all the "big three" (Kato, Tomix and Microace) are producing on of those.

Cheers for the info guys, that popondetta site looks great, only wish i could find the button that made it all English 

Am I okay to run dc stock with my old H&M transformers and will stuff run on standard peco track?  just curious, I may go over to the dark side (DCC) one day but am dc for the mo.

Should run just fine on Peco track. There's nothing special about Fine Track or Unitrack other than that they're "temporary floor layout friendly" =)

Sure can do! I don't know why but I do love DMUs.

 

If you want the special japanese touch I will recomand those (I think Popondetta is the only one still  having some of them):

 

- http://www.popondetta.jp/asp/cgi-bin/shop.php?forward=gds_inf&back_screen=gds_srh&stock_no=571E0101G0200357 (all three are powered)

- http://www.popondetta.jp/asp/cgi-bin/shop.php?forward=gds_inf&back_screen=gds_srh&stock_no=571E0101G0600104

- http://www.popondetta.jp/asp/cgi-bin/shop.php?forward=gds_inf&back_screen=gds_srh&stock_no=571E0101G0600101

- http://www.popondetta.jp/asp/cgi-bin/shop.php?forward=gds_inf&back_screen=gds_srh&stock_no=571E0101G0600102

- http://www.popondetta.jp/asp/cgi-bin/shop.php?forward=gds_inf&back_screen=gds_srh&stock_no=571E0101G0600103

 

Or more classic in the spirit, these:

- http://www.popondetta.jp/asp/cgi-bin/shop.php?forward=gds_inf&back_screen=gds_srh&stock_no=571E0101G0012588 (two powered cars if I'm not making any mistake)

- Or Tomix Kiha40 "metropolitan" color scheme: http://www.hwjapan.com/sh/TOX84037.aspx (that's an exemple you have three different type of model -100, -500 or -2000 and each is also sold as a motorized or trailer car)

- http://www.hwjapan.com/sh/ACE119624.aspx

 

All are local DMUs.

 

Then you also can add some "Joyfull Trains", 3 cars DMUs:

- http://www.popondetta.jp/asp/cgi-bin/shop.php?forward=gds_inf&back_screen=gds_srh&stock_no=571E0101G0012863

- http://www.popondetta.jp/asp/cgi-bin/shop.php?forward=gds_inf&back_screen=gds_srh&stock_no=571E0101G0200353

 

And for the loc I will say, go for a DE10. Classic japanese.

- http://www.popondetta.jp/asp/cgi-bin/shop.php?forward=gds_inf&back_screen=gds_srh&stock_no=571E0101G0C00372

- http://www.popondetta.jp/asp/cgi-bin/shop.php?forward=gds_inf&back_screen=gds_srh&stock_no=571E0101G0800050

- Kato also did a run of those recently (http://www.hwjapan.com/sh/KAT52044.aspx or http://www.hwjapan.com/sh/KAT52045.aspx)

 

Another good loc is the DD51, all the "big three" (Kato, Tomix and Microace) are producing on of those.

DMU's do rock. Funny how I never really was in to the RDC's here in the states but love the Kiha 40/47 and 110.

I performed some moderator black magic for Lawrence sake.

Like Martijn said, everything should run just fine on Peco track as well as any other N gauge track. Same goes with your old transformers. I'm running my JTrains with an "old" Fleischmann transformer (he is now more than 10 years old), continental settings and no problems. So I'm guessing you don't need to worry. JTrains are like any other N gauge trains.

As far as Popondetta is concerned, there is no English button. But you can order in English (the method as been given in the forum section concerning the shops and suppliers). You have to take 5% from the listed price, this are japanese VTA. You will however have to pay the english ones when any japanese package will set foot on english soil.

If you prefer english speaking website see here:

- http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/rail/

- http://www.hwjapan.com/sh/kengte.aspx?mk=&sc=28///103

Hobby search is really practical but I do indeed like better Hobby World and Popondetta because you can usually find some out of stock item there (and also because HW is much cheaper and can ship SAL, the regular air mail).

Don't forget to check Ebay out, you can also find interesting items there. If you have any question, feel free to ask or search the forum.

I found out the other day that a colleagues son, who lives just outside Tokyo, will be coming home for Christmas, so I broached the subject of a small delivery, should he be passing a suitable shop before he comes over 

I'm afraid my budget is rather limited but looking at the prices posted on the sites you have directed me to, would it be unreasonable to think he could get a DE10 or DD51, a basic 2 car DMU and a couple of freight cars for £100 in Tokyo shops?

Am I right in thinking that the DE & DD's are generic Japanese stock and would sit on a layout with any DMU?

Many questions I'm afraid guys as I am finding it difficult to get a reasonably priced and sized book that I can read to get any inkling of the Japanese way of doing railways :BangHead:

Maybe I will have to get the old B&O stock out again, but I really want to have a crack at this.

As ever, your patience and assistance is appreciated

£100 may be a little tight for all that! (I'm gonna work in Yen, 'cause that's nice and universal. £100 = about ¥15,072)

I list two prices; first is MSRP+sales tax (you're friend will have to pay that in Japan; we don't have to pay that when importing). the second is with a 10% discount+sales tax (10%–30% discounts on MSRP are pretty standard). the actual cost might even be less, but not considerably so.

Kato DE10 (skip the Tomix version) = ¥6,615 / ¥5,953

Tomix KIHA48-500 2-car set (a nice upcoming release) ¥10,185 / ¥8,860

Kawai HOKI10000 2-car set (one of Kawai's more expensive freight sets) ¥3,255 / ¥2,929

Total = ¥20,055 / ¥17,742 = £133 / £118 — a bit more than you were hoping to spend. But still, you might pick a less expensive freight set, and a less expensive DMU set (although finding a less expensive locomotive will not likely happen), and manage to bring this under budget.

So, it's doable, but you'll have to pick carefully, and hope your friend hits a store with a better than 10% discount (which is entirely possible).

That said:

The DE10 and DD51 are both very very common, general purpose locos. Either would be at home in just about any setting (although notice that Kato offers warm-weather and winterized variants on the DE10…so, take that statement with a grain of salt! But that's a minor detail.)

You might enjoy spending a little time poking around our Wiki: http://wiki.jnsforum.com/ :D

Don

I found out the other day that a colleagues son, who lives just outside Tokyo, will be coming home for Christmas, so I broached the subject of a small delivery, should he be passing a suitable shop before he comes over 

 

I'm afraid my budget is rather limited but looking at the prices posted on the sites you have directed me to, would it be unreasonable to think he could get a DE10 or DD51, a basic 2 car DMU and a couple of freight cars for £100 in Tokyo shops?

 

Am I right in thinking that the DE & DD's are generic Japanese stock and would sit on a layout with any DMU?

 

Many questions I'm afraid guys as I am finding it difficult to get a reasonably priced and sized book that I can read to get any inkling of the Japanese way of doing railways :BangHead:

 

Maybe I will have to get the old B&O stock out again, but I really want to have a crack at this.

 

As ever, your patience and assistance is appreciated

Hi Lawrence,

UK stockists include Wellington Models : Chris stocks Micro Ace Kato and Tomix plus Green Max building kits.

                            Osborns              : Maurice stocks some Tomix and Kato items

                            M G Sharp          : They used to be the wholesaler for Kato. Still list some items

                            Gaugemaster      :  Now the UK wholesaler for Kato.

You can use Peco track and points. All Japanese N will run successfully on both code 55 and code 80.

As regards books and magazines are these of the real railway or models?  Owing to space restrictions few Japanese modellers have extensive layouts and are members of clubs etc. Therefore the magazines show dioramas, modules and small layouts. Most are superbly detailed. 

The internet has become very useful in obtaining information. Members on this group have provided links that show the real thing in action especially  on U Tube.

I note you are based in Scotland and Heiko Stoll JapanModelRailways usually attends the main Scottish model railway exhibition in February. I have dealt with him for many years and have found him to be excellent. If you visit the exhibition you can buy direct and avoid the Euro exchange, although he takes Cards/Paypal etc.

I think it's possible. You might also want to buy online and sent it to your colleage's son home.

DE10 at HW: ~5,000 Yen

DD51 at HW: ~5,000 Yen

Two cars DMU at HW: ranging from ~6,000 to 9,000 yen (depending on your choice)

Freight cars you can find them as low as 2 for a ~1,000 yen.

So you can easily be in budget.

...and then ask for the rest in random second-hand trinkets.

We just got our 2nd kato DD51 (different styles\colors).  They are excellent runners and were very simple to convert to DCC, using drop-in decoders.  Very quiet, nicely responsive.

There's M.G. Sharp in the UK, I believe they're the official importer for Kato. http://www.mgsharp.com/

 

Other than that, I would recommend going through some pictures/videos, and see which DMU you like. From there I'm sure there's people able to give you a huge list of DMU's and diesel loco's that would fit your taste =)

That's an understatement :)

For now I'm just trying to figure out where to start, I would like something along the lines of a 2 car DMU and another diesel loco with some freight to shunt about.

Lawrence, are you asking about models only, or some suggestions for prototypes to inspire you?

Welcome aboard, BTW!

Mark.

Once again, thanks for the info guys.

Mark, I have never be one for prototyping, it will be more about giving the layout a 'feel' rather than being specific, bit of a cop out I know, but I also know my modelling limitations

Don, thanks for the link, funny how it doesn't matter how net savvy you are, when you start a new project like this you always need a poke the right way!

Just need to wait on a reply from my colleagues son now 

Mark, I have never be one for prototyping, it will be more about giving the layout a 'feel' rather than being specific, bit of a cop out I know, but I also know my modelling limitations

Lawrence, I don't think it's a cop-out. We all have differing goals in our modelling, not to mention skills. And I didn't phrase that question very well. I meant, were you looking for photos of scenes featuring DMUs/diesels for ideas and inspiration?

Cheers,

Mark.

Mark, I have never be one for prototyping, it will be more about giving the layout a 'feel' rather than being specific, bit of a cop out I know, but I also know my modelling limitations

 

Lawrence, I don't think it's a cop-out. We all have differing goals in our modelling, not to mention skills. And I didn't phrase that question very well. I meant, were you looking for photos of scenes featuring DMUs/diesels for ideas and inspiration?

 

Cheers,

 

Mark.

Oh you bet 

like I said, I am at the start of all of this and going in blind so to speak.  I did the same thing about 3 years ago when I bought a B&O loco, didn't have a scooby, but ended up with a reasonable layout.  This time unfortunately my budget is cut to the bone, hense probably only 2 locos and some freight and I will have to see what my sctratchbuilding skills are like for the scenic stuff and structures, it wont be pretty 

I did find http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=kyoto&sll=35.011636,135.768029&sspn=0.526391,1.344452&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Ky%C5%8Dto+City,+Ky%C5%8Dto+Prefecture,+Japan&ll=34.872135,135.66216&spn=0.00103,0.002626&t=h&z=19 , well its a start

To see some vids of DMUs type this in Youtube: キハ