計画 - Planning

Just putting toes back into Japanese HO16 scale at present. 
 
The picture shows some 1:1 concept testing (using track, radii rulers, rolling stock) for this potential small layout. I'm testing out alternatives for a private line at a small harbour reached in the picture attached by the private line (from the right) and JNR (from the left) with perhaps a small station and yard in the lower left corner. Private line is resources-based hence the hoppers, JNR track will accord with a small port or village.
 
More thinking to go on this.....

サンケイ - 倉庫 2 カード キット - Sankei - Warehouse 2 Card Kit

Sankei's Warehouse kit has been built as per instructions however with the roof scored to add some 3d profile, and the roof ridgeline, main walls, door and stonework painted before weathering of all surfaces and dull-coting. A visible brush style was deliberately used on the main building body (cream) to simulate an older, hand applied plaster look. Paints used were Vallejo and Tamiya, all acrylics.

テスト列車 - DD16 test train

Recently acquired Tramway DD16 trialling and running-in on my "Glenburn" layout. If I progress with a Japanese layout it is likely tht it will be point-point and hence I will continue to use "Glenburn" for running in. The model is quite superb with very crisp detailing and paintwork and the smoothest mechanism I have seen, and had no difficulty handling a weighted 11 wagon train up "Glenburn's" 1 in 50 grades. I haven't detailed or weathered the DD16 yet.

国鉄ワム50000形貨車 - WAMU 50000 (JNR)

 Hobby Model's kit completed, pre-painting photo at base. I now do not apply a black undercoat, rather blacken the non-black details and pick out the appropriate elements in white, before weathering and applying a matt finish. The difference between this approach and having applied a gloss black base coat is imperceptible, and much less work!

国鉄トラ45000形貨車 - Tora 45000 (JNR)

Kato's RTR model was only modified through the addition of brake hoses, painting out the Tokyo region symbol (with thanks to the JNR Forum for clarifying what it was) and detail painting (wheel rims, whites, oxide red interior ends) before weathering and dullcoting. The bottom of the four photos above shows the models and accessories as received.

国鉄トラ55000形貨車 - Tora 55000 (JNR)

 

 

Endo PRUS kit was built up per instructions but with side protection bars and brake steps formed up from styrene strip, wire brake handrails and brake hoses as shown in the pre-painting picture at base above. I did'nt replace the moulded end handrails and coupling levers as they aren't overly visible in use. Again these kits have rub-on decals which were applied this time prior to assembly - much easier than after! As an experiment I didn't spray paint these wagons black, rather used the base plastic colour and just painted the interior and details, before weathering and dullcoting.

テスト列車 - ED29 test train

I am a newcomer to Japanese Railways modelling so have little stock and no layout or even diorama to test run on, so I have commandeered the Down line of my Glenburn layout (http://victorianrailways.blogspot.com/) for some testing and running in, which happily went well. I had built the Down line with a more generous loading gauge for occasional visitors like this so there weren't any clearance issues, likely also as this is not the largest Japanese stock. Anyway, if you can forgive a decidedly Australian look for the scenery, here's most of my stock running.

国鉄 ED29 11 (東芝40t標準凸型電気機関車) (鉄道模型) - ED 29 11 (JNR)

Tenshodo's ED 29 11 has been detailed as per the attachments supplied, and lightly weathered.

国鉄トム50000形貨車 - Tomu 50000 (JNR)

Endo PRUS kit was built up per instructions but with side protection bars and brake steps formed up from styrene strip, wire brake handrails and brake hoses as shown in the pre-painting picture at base above. I did'nt replace the moulded end handrails and coupling levers as they aren't overly visible in use. A note for first timers to these kits (like me!), the "decals" are rub-on rather than water applied.The wagons were spray painted gloss black before decalling, with the brake angle and step support being picked out in white, before weathering and dullcoting.

国鉄ヨ5000形貨車 - Yo 5000 (JNR)

My first acquisition for the Japanese interest was Kato's brakevan. Alterations were minimal, just fitting of brake hoses and the detail included by Kato, then painting some white details and weathering. There is only one van at this stage, the different numbering each side allows for different vans to be run.

国鉄トム60000形貨車 - Tomu 60000 (JNR)

Only minor detailing was required for Hobbymodel's kit - adding brake hoses, handrail grabs and coupler lift bars (which I must get better at, these are quite coarse!). Following a good suggestion from Mark Newton on the JNR Forum (http://www.jnsforum.com/community/) I fitted Steam Era Models 10.5mm dia. 23.8mm axle wheelsets, choosing Code 88 for the finer appearance. I have used Steam Era Models (http://www.steameramodels.com/) products for much of my other modelling and their wheelsets are both very accurate and very true, these are no exception and I will be using them for all subsequent stock where appropriate. The underframe detailing on these kits really surprised me given I understnd this to be an old kit. For new modellers, the decals work best if soaked in hot water - I wasted quite a few before I realised this. The wagons were spray painted gloss black before decalling, with the brake angle and step support being picked out in white, before weathering and dullcoting.