My first Japanese Projects.

[keiman]

As I have two interests T gauge and N gauge,
I will start with the T Gauge ( am on the T gauge forum as UKTTrain)
have 2x 120mm ovals and one 132mmoval, 6 sets of 103 trains (sets 1,2,3 2 off,4,and 9, several sets of the housing packs, sundry extra packs of track including 2 level crossings and the gradient set. Not done alot with this as waiting for points.

 N Gauge-  am working on the traditional japanese style - Kato unitrack and put it away when the wife wants the living room back.
Have the EF65 Kato starter set but have quickly expanded the track capabilities.
Now have sets  2 x V1, V4, V5, V7, V8,
Have also got extra rolling stock, Kato 6 car set 221, Micro ace set A0718-2 car parcels set, Kato DE10, Tomix DF50, 5x Tomix Wamu 8000 in brown, 2x Tomix KOMU1 (2178 and 2179) Tomix CHI1 with pipe load, Kawai snowplows(KP139B) , 5 short black Kato wagons and the combined boxcar/guards van, 2 tomytec railcars with motors 12m and  18m,
Tomytec motorised Articulated Tram and the Red Modemo NT77  tram.
I know not Japanese prototype but also have the Lenke rail Tamper and 3 accessorey flat cars that go with it.
Gradually  sorting out my tomix track for a tram layout as well, currently 2 x  103mm ovals, 2 x140 siding sets- 1electric points and 1 manual points- awaiting more track at present.
Collection of japanese (mainly Tomytec and Greenmax )buildings and Pro hobby accessories/people.

[scott]

Sounds like you have a lot to work with--I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

[keiman]

T Gauge layout not in the tool box.

T gauge  and Z gauge with a subaru ignition key to give idea of scale.

[Mudkip Orange]

nice!

[qwertyaardvark]

I don't think I'll ever really understand how small Z gauge is till I hold one in my hand... ^^;; but the possibilities of a layout in such a small space! Layout looks great!

[keiman]

Pictures of my N gauge passenger stock .

Trams and Bandai are on Tomix Track

Microace Parcels set behind the Modemo Tram





Would love to have room for a permanent layout but the station real estate for this lot would be quite large and then there are the Freight and MOW stuff as well.
The tram tracks only just fit on the dining room table and they are inside all the Kato track when set up on the floor

[Mudkip Orange]

Blue Trains are always cool.

[qwertyaardvark]

a second vote for "Blue Trains are Always Cool" party~

Pretty nice roster you got going ^_^ I can't quite tell, but is the joyca train a B-shorty or a high-platform tram? ^^;;

[keiman]

a second vote for "Blue Trains are Always Cool" party~

Pretty nice roster you got going ^_^ I can't quite tell, but is the joyca train a B-shorty or a high-platform tram? ^^;;

        B-shorty (label on box says type 1000) have a second identical set which will just have the Kato trucks fitted.

[Toni Babelony]

The B-train is a Shizuoka RR 1000 Series. The whole line is double tracked, which is not very common for a small private company in Japan.

Nice roster you have there! I like your taste in small railcars! :)

[keiman]

Will post some more pics at the weekend, have also now got a full 4 car set of the Bandai shorty 113 cars in Blue and cream livery on Kato running gear.
I am a sucker for buildings and have amassed a reasonable town, complete with vehicles and am starting to populate some of the buildings with people.
Will be building one diorama that links in the main Kato track and the Tomix Track with a MOW depot. Both networks independent but sharing some of the facilities,waiting for the weekend when I can get the fishplates to join my Peco flex track(needed for the greenmax engine shed) to the Kato adaptor track.
Some of the buildings are just visible in one of the pictures already posted.

[Krackel Hopper]

I am a sucker for buildings and have amassed a reasonable town, complete with vehicles and am starting to populate some of the buildings with people.

I know what you mean.  While I am far from "good" at assembling buildings, I think that is one of the more enjoyable parts of this hobby.  I suppose the more I build, the better I get.  That's the way it's supposed to work anyway.. ha!

Post some building pictures!

[Mudkip Orange]

Post some building pictures!

Seconded.

[keiman]

This is about 2/3 of the buildings for "Keitown" some still to be finished and detailing with people still to be done.













IMG]http://i426.photobucket.com/albums/pp343/willow67_2008/Japanese%20Trains/SDC10032.jpg[/IMG]



Still got some unbuilt but need to finish the existing ones first.

[grumbeast]

You have a great collection of buildings there. I can't wait to see the layout take shape

Graham

[Bernard]

I second that about your buildings. You can plan a really nice city around the buildings you have.

[Claude_Dreyfus]

I also like the your building groupings. Looking very effective...

[KenS]

Between the buildings and the trains you have an amazing collection of material to use for a layout. You mentioned earlier that youre "working on the traditional japanese style - Kato unitrack and put it away when the wife wants the living room back". Can you say more? Is there a theme or design, or are you just setting up track as the mood strikes (either is a valid approach; I'm just curious)?  Do you aim to evoke a specific era or place?

And if you do set something temporary up, post some photos.  I think many of us started with temporary layouts, and they can be a lot of fun. Seeing how people do it provides inspiration for other people who are thinking about it (I know it did for me).

[keiman]

Between the buildings and the trains you have an amazing collection of material to use for a layout. You mentioned earlier that youre "working on the traditional japanese style - Kato unitrack and put it away when the wife wants the living room back". Can you say more? Is there a theme or design, or are you just setting up track as the mood strikes (either is a valid approach; I'm just curious)?  Do you aim to evoke a specific era or place?

And if you do set something temporary up, post some photos.  I think many of us started with temporary layouts, and they can be a lot of fun. Seeing how people do it provides inspiration for other people who are thinking about it (I know it did for me).

As the mood takes me but have a basic track with the Kato - Inner and outer oval connected by the Kato Double crossover,passing loops can be added.
Tomix tracks are for what was going to be a full Tram way using the Tomix tramway accessories but have since decided I don't currently want the hassle.Have a definate plan for the tram/light railway track.
Location is generic but with some european structures as well (just because I like them).

[keiman]

Pictures of the Tomix track section, this will be a permanent track plan and will fit inside the Kato Track. Might even go on a thin board - Just track permanently fixed.








Waiting on some more points, the two tracks not attached will be part of the MOW yard.  There will also be another siding in the loop with the long straight.

[disturbman]

Nice layout. I like it. 

Are you planning on DCCfied your B Trains?

[keiman]

Not planning on DCC at present- still got some decoders somewhere used DCC on my American Z layout. (decoders fitted to Microtrains F7 units and also a Marklin Pacific).
Cannot find the controller at the moment. Might be in a box in my Mum's Loft.

[keiman]

Pics of Buildings, track and trains.No ground detail, trees or vehicles on layout. Just need to get a board to mount this lot on.

[keiman]

[disturbman]

Looks promising, you should go buy the board ASAP. :)

[CaptOblivious]

Looks like a fun little layout! I love these dense, built-up roundy-rounders.

[Mudkip Orange]

This layout is tight, almost makes me want to get into B-trains.

[IST]

Wow, I really liked your trackplan but with the buildings it is more convincing. Lot of routes available to make real traffic. 
Can I ask the size of this layout?

[Bernard]

I also like the layout plan it has a lot of situations where the trains seem like they change direction. Are you planning on making this a permanent layout?

[keiman]

Wow, I really liked your trackplan but with the buildings it is more convincing. Lot of routes available to make real traffic. 
Can I ask the size of this layout?

Size of Dining Table 1.5m x 0.8m

I also like the layout plan it has a lot of situations where the trains seem like they change direction. Are you planning on making this a permanent layout?

Have decided this track plan is going to be permanent. Track is all Tomix, all curves are either 103 or 140. and apart from 2 all points/switches are manual.
The whole layout runs off one Gaugemaster Combi controller.
Can have up to 4 trains ready to roll, just by throwing switches.
Have been given approval by SHMBO if I put some flooring in the loft to store some stuff we never sorted out when we moved in, to use the Alcove in the Bedroom to put the layout. Alcove is 1.5m x 1.0m

[keiman]

Update;
Have been building some trees(all Tomytec) and also built the first Sankei kit  (The small barn),very pleased with it..
have found a firm in Germany that make white metal models of Quad bikes and have got one (painted it red  Honda style)
Still to do;
Sankei Kits: Small Factory, Church, Shrine, Farmhouse, some small carts, 2 x Rikshaws.
Greenmax kits: subways, pavement/side walk kits,Catenary.
Tomytec Kits: Bamboo, extra platform, more trees,
Other kits:Wooden Laser cut Mine,

Will post more pictures after Easter as I have to do the loft then.  Also new month so can buy the baseboard and start setting everything out properly. I will be losing the dining room table over Easter
Before any one asks-every thing will be on the level.

[keiman]

Quick update not a lot has happened, hoping to get a bit more done this weekend. Been looking at changing the trackplan due to an error on my part -got the board cut too narrow. Have had an experiment  and hope that it might work.
Hope to set it up later this weekend, and get some pictures if the other half does not change my plans

[cteno4]

Keiman,

love the folded figure 8 plan, really gets a lot in in a small space and makes the train unpredictable if you cant see the whole track plan easily! been looking at it to do a similar plan/sized layout for trams, but also have been buying a few btrain shorties so now im starting to think what could be done with them as well in a tight little space like this with regular rr! great work, keep the pictures coming.

cheers

jeff

[keiman]

Got the track secured and started laying Heki grass mat.  Have got area's sorted for the Park, Town, and farm, maintenance area is a bit of a shambles but currently waiting for glue to dry and I can mark out roads etc. Temple/shrine site sorted and vineyard  allready to plant.
Pics at the weekend but also have a major car show planned so may have to spend time getting ready for that.(10h Anniverserary of Subaru P1  at Prodrive who prepared the rally cars on Sunday).
Was interesting getting a siding long enough for an 8 car shorty incorporated in the track plan.

[keiman]

Pics of track plan  and rough building layout before I fixed the track down.  Long train in the siding is the 8 car set I mentioned in previous post.

[Mudkip Orange]

AWESOME. Looks like something from the back cover of a Lionel catalog... only it's in N!

It's official: B-trains are now officially the new tinplate O.

[KenS]

Very nice. But where's the "Heki grass mat"? Or is that brown late fall grass (it looks like particle board in the photos, but that may just be due to lack of resolution)? If so, why brown grass?

I'm really impressed though. There's a lot going on in terms of track, but it doesn't seem cluttered.  I think the B-trains may be part of that, as they make the space seem larger.  I've never been a fan of the B-trains, but they clearly "work" here.

[keiman]

Very nice. But where's the "Heki grass mat"? Or is that brown late fall grass (it looks like particle board in the photos, but that may just be due to lack of resolution)? If so, why brown grass?

I'm really impressed though. There's a lot going on in terms of track, but it doesn't seem cluttered.  I think the B-trains may be part of that, as they make the space seem larger.  I've never been a fan of the B-trains, but they clearly "work" here.

Grass mat was not down when I took those photo's - those were the pics I took to make sure every thing would fit.

[SubwayHypes]

nice collection of buildings and trains, especially the 221 and blue train!

[disturbman]

If so, why brown grass?

Well, I've seen enough brown grass in Japan to make me think this is not an issue.

[keiman]

Have not done much more but have just ordered some more buildings, as I felt the streets were too wide.  waiting for the B Train Container cars before I decide what else to incorporate. 
Track wise every thing is fine but feel possibly need to make the open spaces look more busy apart from the end with the farm as that will be planted with crops.

[inlander]

Looks fantastic. Im new myself. The Japanese quality is the best ive seen for a long time . No more struggling with Peco points any more- bring on the Unitrack!

[keiman]

Got another little project on the go that is much more portable and  is 3'00" x 8 "
Pictures will follow .
All being built with Peco Setrack. Have had to make this one a compromise because I want to run my British rolling stock as well. Freight Only shunting layout.
Track plan is sorted but currently waiting for some parts to dry having done a bit of painting earlier
The retaining wall is going to be a Stone one from Langley models and there will be virtually no buildings and the track above the wall will be unpowered to put my Del Prado C50 Steam Loco on, or the Flying Scotsman if British based.

[keiman]

Update on my Projects.
Due to storage problems have had to dismantle the track on the B Train Layout -  For a harmonious / peaceful life I am going to have to start all over again.
New Layout will have to be in 1'0" maximum deep modules but can acommodate up to 3'0" length.

[KenS]

You can do a lot in a 1x3 module. Although I tend to build large layouts, and like long trains, the nice thing about a small layout is that it's easier to concentrate your efforts on creating detailed scenes. I find the T-trak modules, which are just 8.25" deep, very interesting for that reason. And I've thought about building something like a 1x8 diorama as a way to experiment with scenery ideas, although I've so far preferred to put my efforts into my big layout.

Note that I'm not advocating you use T-trak; if this is for a home layout, it will be easier to build sections that fit your available space, and have joints in convenient places for your track.  I would suggest working out your track plan before building anything.  You don't want, for example, to end up with complex trackwork (like a switch or crossing) at or near the end of a module.

[keiman]

You can do a lot in a 1x3 module. Although I tend to build large layouts, and like long trains, the nice thing about a small layout is that it's easier to concentrate your efforts on creating detailed scenes. I find the T-trak modules, which are just 8.25" deep, very interesting for that reason. And I've thought about building something like a 1x8 diorama as a way to experiment with scenery ideas, although I've so far preferred to put my efforts into my big layout.

Note that I'm not advocating you use T-trak; if this is for a home layout, it will be easier to build sections that fit your available space, and have joints in convenient places for your track.  I would suggest working out your track plan before building anything.  You don't want, for example, to end up with complex trackwork (like a switch or crossing) at or near the end of a module.

Cheers Ken, Have already thought about that one. The small british board I've just built, can be expanded-single track in and single track out but is also fully self contained for shunting manouveres- took about 8 attempts at the track layout but means can have 2 wagons at any point and move them around or combinethem into a longer train to run to an extension when built.
Have a few ideas and will be trying different track plans before finalising the exact size of each module.

[keiman]

Few pics of the B Train Containers

[Bernard]

Really like the containers! Are you using the Peco turnouts manually or the electric underneath switch mounts?

[keiman]

This set are "Armstong" method, when the next board is built the new ones on that board will have levers, rods and cranks - proper style

[Mudkip Orange]

Is this all SetTrack?