Do you run duplicates of the same model (and how?)

[David]

So it's a fact of life that you can't just buy a train in any number you want (unless it's unnumbered and you have skill with decals). With freight, given that Japan doesn't really shunt much, this isn't a big issue. Many modern cars like the Koki 104 have tiny little numbers so no one will notice they're all the same. With a few exceptions, locomotives have plates, so you can have 4 different numbers from the same package.

But what about passenger trains? The new E127 series models from Kato are absolutely gorgeous and DCC ready (and there is nothing left to glue or stick on unless you want to swap out the destination sign). I just got my E127-0 Niigata and it's even better then the Oito from July. I'd really like to start putting together a country fleet to go with them - I could run much smaller stations then my Tokyo 10 car fleet, which for the moment would suit DCC running quite well. I'm tempted to get the 115-1000s Kato has out and in the pipeline, but they're on the opposite end of the curve, lower detail early models with truck mounted couplers and blank spaces for destination stickers (not even any "glass" for them to go behind).

So what if I just bought more E127s? JR East obviously runs more then 1 in each livery. But they'd all be the same number, and I don't see how to differentiate them, even up close (different destination signs don't count since I can barely read them under the best conditions). Does anyone run multiple copies of the same model, and if so how do you tell them apart?

[marknewton]

David, I do, but I'm working in HO, so it's very easy to re-number cars using the decals/rub-on lettering supplied. Perhaps you could distinguish different trains by having one very clean, another slightly weathered, and so on?

Cheers,

Mark.

[Toni Babelony]

I do as well. As you can see from my avatar I love the Enoden 1000 Series and I own 4 of 'em (three 1000 Series (two horribly repainted) and one 1100 Series in Meiji-Seika advertisement). There are more to come, as I really like these trains and IMHO you can't have enough of these. I've the intent to number them differently and have them in similar liveries, just to have some kind of prototypical feeling to it. I think it has to do with my desire to own a complete fleet of trains that should compromise a railway company (albeit it being a fictive one). To me this is very satisfying :P

All in all, it has to do with different numbers on similar units. Differences can be made with maybe different advertisements or details like the sun-shades on the windows.

[disturbman]

Well. It's your trains. You can have as many multiple of one model that you like. Nobody will give a damn if you have three times (or more) the exact same model up and runing on your layout. :)

[Claude_Dreyfus]

Funny you should mention the Kato class 115, as we have two of these running on the layout.

I'm not too fussed about running exact duplicates, although I don't run duplicate locos because, as you mention, there is a selection of number plates available with them. In terms of exhibition running, the punters are far enough away from the layout not to be able to read the small numbers, so you can pretty much get away with it. I have happily run duplicates in the past...

[CaptOblivious]

You could get some of the Tomix rub-on transfer sheets, scratch off the extant markings, and rub some new ones on. Since the fonts are all standardized, you'd only need to do the digits that differed, meaning you could use just about any handy Tomix transfer sheet, provided the color was right.

[David]

How does the idea of populating trains with figures sound? One 2-car set with only a few seated passengers, another with set with the same tiny number, but a full load visible through the windows. And for more then 2 duplicates start making (plausable) themes that stand out - i.e. festival goers (kimonos) or students (class trip). While I'd use Kato figures for the drivers, it would be TomyTec for the riders to make the cost reasonable - or is there another brand with reasonable quality or selection that is equal or cheaper than TomyTec ($0.50 for a detailed figure is already pretty good).

If I could duplicate up on the E127s instead of adding 115s (and throw in Kiha110s), I could keep this railroad to 2 cars lengths and avoid mixing very obviously different levels of model detail. The reduced length (2 instead of 3) has an impact on the size and maybe cost of stations. It also has a slight increase on the percieved length of the runs.

[David]

You could get some of the Tomix rub-on transfer sheets, scratch off the extant markings, and rub some new ones on. Since the fonts are all standardized, you'd only need to do the digits that differed, meaning you could use just about any handy Tomix transfer sheet, provided the color was right.

Any part numbers/links for the Tomix rub-ons? All I can seem to find are Tomix HO rub-ons, and 3rd party N scale rub-ons for various private railways like Hankyu.

[CaptOblivious]

I can't find any other transfer sheets either…I was just thinking it was the sort of thing you could scavenge from leftovers. For example: I have a few sets that I'm done with that perhaps you could talk me out of…

[bill937ca]

How does the idea of populating trains with figures sound? One 2-car set with only a few seated passengers, another with set with the same tiny number, but a full load visible through the windows. And for more then 2 duplicates start making (plausable) themes that stand out - i.e. festival goers (kimonos) or students (class trip). While I'd use Kato figures for the drivers, it would be TomyTec for the riders to make the cost reasonable - or is there another brand with reasonable quality or selection that is equal or cheaper than TomyTec ($0.50 for a detailed figure is already pretty good).

There are N gauge figures by Kobaru, Kato, Kawai, Tsugawa, Pro Hobby, Tramway (HO only) and perhaps others.

The way Hobby Search lists figures you really have to do some detective work to find them, but there are many sources other than Tomytec.


http://www.1999.co.jp/search_e.asp?Typ1_c=104&scope=1&urikire=1&andor=0&scope2=0&sortID=0&ItKey=Kobaru

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/list/487/0/3

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10062398

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10062386

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10026788

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10026787

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10026786

http://www.1999.co.jp/search_e.asp?Typ1_c=104&SC=344&Typ=0&sortID=0&scope=0&urikire=1&andor=&scope2=0&ItKey=Pro%20Hobby&SPage=5

http://www.1999.co.jp/search_e.asp?Typ1_c=104&SC=36&Typ=0&sortID=0&scope=1&urikire=1&andor=0&scope2=0&ItKey=Tramway&SPage=2

[bill937ca]

I can't find any other transfer sheets either…I was just thinking it was the sort of thing you could scavenge from leftovers. For example: I have a few sets that I'm done with that perhaps you could talk me out of…

Some aftermarket vendors like Geomatrix Designers offer numbering fonts for various private railways.

http://www.1999.co.jp/search_e.asp?Typ1_c=104&scope=1&urikire=1&andor=0&scope2=0&sortID=0&ItKey=Geomatrix%20Designers%20Inc

[bill937ca]

How does the idea of populating trains with figures sound? One 2-car set with only a few seated passengers, another with set with the same tiny number, but a full load visible through the windows. And for more then 2 duplicates start making (plausable) themes that stand out - i.e. festival goers (kimonos) or students (class trip). While I'd use Kato figures for the drivers, it would be TomyTec for the riders to make the cost reasonable - or is there another brand with reasonable quality or selection that is equal or cheaper than TomyTec ($0.50 for a detailed figure is already pretty good).

Fujimoto Service , Pro-Hobby offers Maid Girls.  A train of maid girls?   Got to be heading to Electric Town!!

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10101244

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10101242

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10101241

[marknewton]

Differences can be made with maybe different advertisements or details like the sun-shades on the windows.

Tony, the sunshades are a great idea, one that never occurred to me! 

Thanks,

Mark.

[marknewton]

How does the idea of populating trains with figures sound? One 2-car set with only a few seated passengers, another with set with the same tiny number, but a full load visible through the windows. And for more then 2 duplicates start making (plausable) themes that stand out - i.e. festival goers (kimonos) or students (class trip).

Again, a great idea that I hadn't thought of! 

Cheers,

Mark.

[Bernard]

How does the idea of populating trains with figures sound? One 2-car set with only a few seated passengers, another with set with the same tiny number, but a full load visible through the windows. And for more then 2 duplicates start making (plausable) themes that stand out - i.e. festival goers (kimonos) or students (class trip).

Again, a great idea that I hadn't thought of!  

Cheers,

Mark.

Ditto! It reminds me of what Curt did with his buildings by adding figures.
I was wondering to cut the expense... what about using some of the "bulk packages" of figures from China and cutting them in half to fit in the window seats, torso on up, would that work?
Here are 2 photos, the first shows what 100 looks like and the second compares them to Kato figures which are on the bottom. (there is no question which has more detail but the top ones are a fraction of the price.) 

[David]

The TomyTec "People Standing Still" looks like a good deal. 3 different sets, and each set has 12 instead of 9 people. At 4.75/set that about $0.40 per figure. Same for the passenger sets (also 12 people each). The, ahem, "Amusement Center" people are also a good deal (12pc) if you want to add some shady characters to your train. You could make a really interesting scene with some of them and a lighting kit for a late evening train.

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10073153
http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10073152
http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10073151

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10056584
http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10056583
http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10056582

[David]

And Prototype for advertising