Saturday, July 10, 2010

JAPAN KATO N SCALE 10-271 Fresh Fish Express Tobiuo Ginrin 8 cars Basic Sets , KATO 10-243 6 Cars Add-On Set











Japan National Railways run limited express trains as freight trains.
 A special train to transport fish “Tobiuo” traveled between Hatabu station in Yamaguchi prefecture and Tokyo-shijo station, which was at famous Tsukiji market in Tokyo as an international tourist spot, at 100 kilometers per hour. The name “Tobiuo” was named after flying fish.
The limited express “Ginrin” was also operated from Hakata station to Osaka-shijo station. It was named after the silver fish scales.
The limited express trains for cargo, “Tobiuo” and “Ginrin”, are fish transport trains, using a car which equips with refrigeration wagons of Lesa 10000 series. They have 2 types. One is the Lesa 10000 type which was produced a total of 137 cars in 1966 and 1969. Another is the Remufu 10000 type which was produced a total of 11 cars in 1966.
Both were operated only for Fish express freight trains traveling at 100 kilometers per hour.
From all over the country, such as Nagasaki, Nishikaratsu, Hakatakou, Kamitobata, and Shimonoseki, the railroad refrigerator cars gathered in the departure station, and operated after being structured as a special train to transport fish.
Previously, it took 42 hours and 30 minutes between Nagasaki and Tokyo markets and an auction was held on the fourth day after delivery. However, due to these trains, it was reduced to 27 hours and it became possible to have the auction of the third day after delivery.
At that time, other railroad refrigerator cars were quickly discontinued, but these fish transport trains were popular with cargo owners. A locomotive was towed by electric locomotive EF66 type, the most advanced at that time.
 But with the development of Japan's highways, the transportation method changed from freight trains to tracks. Rail transport was converted into container transport. In 1986, “Tobiuo” was changed into container transport, and the operation using fish transport trains was ended.

The Remufu 10000 type refrigerator car with a conductor's room includes interior lights as standard equipment and a tale lamp lights up. (Except for the tale light in the side of refrigerating room)

There are additional 6 cars of the Fish Express “Tobiuo and Ginrin”.
If you want to reproduce the peak 20 -car train of “Tobiuo”, basic 8-car set + additional 6-car set ×2
If you want to reproduce the peak 13-car train of “Ginrin”, basic 8-car set + additional 6-car set ×1
(10000 Lesa has one extra)


Thursday, July 8, 2010

JAPAN KATO N SCALE 5065 OSHI 17 Dining car




National Railway (JR) 10 series passenger train was developed in 1955 and was subsequently mass produced. It was a lack of warmth and a susceptibility to corrosiveness of the body by rain. In addition, in November 1972, the plastic body became a cause of the disaster killed 30 people in Hokuriku Tunnel fire in Fukuoka prefecture. The fire was caused by a dining car. Nevertheless, all passenger cars except for the dining car were used for express trains and local trains until 1985.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

JAPAN KATO N SCALE 5133-1,5133-2 SUHA43 Brown / Blue





The JR Suha43 series passenger train was produced for express trains from 1951.
Compared with existing car, it was revolutionary car which was improved dramatically. It was used for an express train at first. As well as being used for limited express trains throughout the Japan until the early 1980's, it was used for local trains early on. Even now, few cars are used as a tourist train. Also it appears in Japanese movies with old steam locomotives.

The Suha43 series passenger car is representative of the railway carriages, which have been produced more than 1000 cars over the years. Therefore, it was repeatedly modified, and varied in the paint and equipment. The car was used daily throughout Japan.

 
For the filming of movies and television to recreate a nostalgic view of Japan, some of this car is still active. Also, it is said that the car is the model of “Galaxy Express 999”, which was animated by the famous author Reiji Matsumoto.

 The passenger train was also used in the private railways as well as national railways. The robust and careful production and design made it possible to see the figure today. Even Japanese people who are unfamiliar with the railroad, many people have seen this car which has characteristic paint at least once.
 It reproduces beautifully the standard paint of JR old type passenger car. It is a nostalgic color.
The brown model reproduces the original press molding door. The blue model reproduces the shape of the rubber sash door made from metal.
It reproduces accurately the characteristic ventilator on the roof.

Monday, July 5, 2010

JAPAN KATO N SCALE 10-561 Orient Express 88 Basic Sets 7 cars






1988, the Nostalgia Istanbul Orient Express reached to Hong Kong, passing through former East Germany, Poland, the former Soviet Union, China and Eurasian Continent.
After shipping from there, it landed in Shimomatsu, Yamaguchi Prefecture in Japan, and accomplished a total of 18,000 Km passenger operation to the final destination of Tokyo. It was published in the Guinness Book of Records.
In 1988, it was the 30th anniversary of the Fuji TV, which is a famous Japanese TV company, and the first anniversary of the JA group. To commemorate it, the Orient Express’88 was operated between Paris and Tokyo using the NIOE train car by the Fuji TV and the JR East, and also by the cooperation of the transit country’s governments and railways. The official name of the project is “HITACHI culture special ORIENT EPRESS’88”.
A executive producer of Fuji TV at the time, Numata Atsuyoshi, who was in charge of the special TV program “ Dreamy Orient Express London – Istanbul, the great 3,500 km journey”, had the passion for the Orient Express and challenged to start the great historical project.
But there were some difficulties like the difference of the width of the rail and standards of each facility, negotiations with governments and railways during the Cold War and so on. For example, more than 800 railways facilities throughout Japan were upgraded for the running of the train.
The Japan’s leading steam locomotive for D51, and electric locomotives for EF58 and EF65 (1000 Series, general type) were used for the memorable train tow. Also it traveled around Japan as an organization dedicated train, and public events were held in various regions. It attracted the attention as the earliest “international train” in Japan as well. The set is very rare, because the train has not been produced anymore and will not be operated again. It is already a premium product. Future prices will rise more.

Friday, June 25, 2010

The traffic to the New Tokyo International Airport







Tokyo in Japan is a globally famous big city. To put it bluntly, the traffic route to an airport is the worst. Especially the traffic to Narita Airport, i.e., the New Tokyo International Airport, is very inconvenient. Narita Airport has only two runways. And the airplane cannot depart and arrive for 24 hours.
In fact, Narita Airport had a plan to build a Shinkansen to the Airport. However, construction work was not started for the Narita Shinkansen.
Do you know Tokyo Disneyland? You have to use the JR Keiyo Line in order to go to Tokyo Disneyland from Tokyo Station. In fact, the Keiyo Line at Tokyo Station was due to be used as the station for the Shinkansen to Narita Airport.
Now, there are two railroads to Narita Airport. One is the JR Narita Express and the other is the Keisei Electric Railway sky liner. The new line of the Keisei sky liner will start business in 2010.
Now, the time required from Nippori Station to Narita Airport is 36 minutes. Therefore, IR manufactured new style cars.
This is the E259 series of the new style Narita Express trains.
Let's suppose that you go from Narita Airport to Shinjuku Station. The time required to Nippori Station on the Keisei Electric Railway sky liner is quick. However, the JR Narita Express users have the unnecessary change to the Yamanote Line.
The model of this E259 system is soon going to be put on the market from KATO.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Lmt. express of sleeping berths train Cassiopeia









Now, the train which is the most popular in Japan is the limited express CASSIOPEIA. This train is a very gorgeous express train with sleeping berths. This train runs from Ueno Station in Tokyo to Sapporo Station in Hokkaido. CASSIOPEIA began operation in July, 1999. This gorgeous coach is part of the E26 series. There is only one CASSIOPEIA from one organization. Therefore, the CASSIOPEIA does not run every day. All the rooms of CASSIOPEIA are A sleeper cars. The A sleeper car is a sleeping car of the second class. B sleeper is a sleeping car of the third class. The sign of a sleeper is "ne".
In Japan, sleep is called "ne-ru". Therefore, The Number of A sleeper cars is "Ro-Ne", 6, and B sleeper cars is "Ha-Ne", 8.
Up to Aomori Station, an EF-81 type electric locomotive tows CASSIOPEIA from Ueno Station. CASSIOPEIA runs through the Seikan Tunnel which is the longest tunnel in the world. The Seikan Tunnel is located near to the seabed of the Tsugaru Strait.
And in Hokkaido, the DD51 type diesel locomotive tows CASSIOPEIA. It is an engine of exclusive use of a two-car connection.
The CASSIOPEIA suite room is especially popular. There is only one observation room at the rear of the organization. Reservation must be made for two people for a ticket to ride on CASSIOPEIA. There is a dining car and a lounge car. The dining car serves gorgeous French cuisine and Japanese-style food. It is not easy to make a reservation on this train. You are very fortunate if you can ride on this train.

Monday, June 21, 2010

The Japanese National Railway 157-Series NIKKO KATO 10-397









The National Railway 157-Series is a local express train for long distance travel which has been produced since 1959. It was the dedicated train for the railway electric power zone. It was also used for express trains.
The train is called “Nikkogata densha”. It was named after being used for an express train running between Tokyo and Nikko, Tochigi prefecture, which is famous as a UNESCO World Heritage site.