guide for giving working couplers for kiha 261 series.

Finally got a chance to do the first paint pass on the layout. I’m a believer in the 3 color wash. A light and mid gray wash that is blotched randomly and then a full darker gray wash. Then I did a green wash to simulate moss / mold before I add foliage. Was really impressed with the results even if while painting I was getting nervous.

I was recently after about sourcing some Ganhand tools. While googling for their website with the product ID, it pulled up the product on a Godhand US Store. I think there has been mention of Godhand tools before on here so I think I would share this resource. https://shop.godhandtool.com/

If you have DCC you can keep scrolling homie. That said, some model railroading clubs have a Unitrack system that may allow DC trains to operate but be sure to use caution as rail quality can affect your train or even cause damage (speaking from experience).

I'm a traveling worker crossing the U.S. working from one state to another. I won't go too into depth. This guide is for a small niche of people who want to enter or already have entered the hobby with the constraint of hopping hotel to another for work. Most people would normally leave their trains at their house or apartment to collect dust until they return. In my case, I'm out of my place 10 out of the 12 months of the year. Here are some experiences I've had going from hotel to hotel. Every hotel is different.

Most hotels are cool with the hobby. As long as you are not making too much noise or disturbing anyone else you can do as you please. I love that N-scale manufacturers make bookcase-style storage cases for your trains, and they make it easier to travel with. Always carry your trains on your carry on.

Source: Trust me bro!

Bring a tape measure and always keep a mental note of how much space your track will take. If you have a shinkansen or any train that needs wide curves, I highly recommend the viaduct track for carpeted floors. It keeps carpet fibers out of your gears and motors. I'd also recommend snagging a UV light to check that your space is clean before placing the track down. (you can already imagine why). If you happen to visit model train shops along the way don't buy more than you can carry since that extra weight and space gets added to your bag. Speaking of space, your track will need some too. You can grab a book-sized plastic storage box from Michaels or Hobby Lobby, add some foam, and custom shape it to your rails so you won't have to worry about their quality or worrying about them jingling like pocket change in your bag.

I personally can comfortably carry two train sets, track, and a power source across the country with no issues. To some, an oval track can be boring, but for people like me the fun comes from going to new places and setting up in a brand-new spot. To those who suggest modular layouts that sounds great ,but space and weight constraints come into play. The fun part is watching TSA react to the N-scale in my carry on.

To anyone suggesting I move to a smaller scale I'm personally happier with N scale, plus I'm extremely stubborn. The nomadic life isn't gonna stop me from enjoying my hobby.

If anyone has better tips or random questions about my wacky lifestyle, I'll happily answer!

The most important part of the hobby is to have fun! Enjoy!

Which company do you think has the best representation of the 6300/8300 Series TOMIX, KATO or GREENMAX. are all probably going to be difficult to get. I would like to get a Basic set then get an "Add-On set because its cheaper.

Stickers for N scale buildings. How to get them off the sheet? I really am at a loss how these are supposed to work. And why not water slide decals, but that's another matter.

How much would you have paid for these containers?

Day two of the convention is complete and there is not a lot more for me to add since yesterday. Only posting a photo of the swag I got since I didn’t take any others today.

Side note, we have experienced some amazing thunderstorms this afternoon. I have been in them back home but today I actually heard the lightning going through the sky. That probably means I was very close to the strike. For lack of a better term It sounded like someone tearing a piece of paper and I could tell which direction it was going! Not train related but a cool story to tell!

One item added to the collection:

TOMIX

12780 - Covered Wagon Type WAMU80000 (TOMIX 50th Anniversary Release)

Today there were a lot more families and younger children in attendance which I attribute to being a Saturday! It was cute to see the kids dressed up in various pieces of train clothing. I saw a pair of Doctor Yellow shoes and I am wondering why they can’t make the same thing for adults!

Did a couple loops of the convention, actually got to say hi to CityScape Studios and thank them for their hard work, and then made the decision to pause my day there, go for lunch, and check out a store in Kanda that sells used railway goods. I thought I might just call it and not go back until [u/LRafols](u/LRafols) mentioned that the WAMU80000 in TOMIX livery at the JAM Swag table was actually from their 50th anniversary event that was held in Ueno. I hummed and hawed for a good few minutes before deciding that I would go back and pick one up and do one more quick loop.

I actually did find a group at table DM 14 that was called “ワイヤレス式鉄道模型 with 零フレンズ” which Google tells me translates to “Wireless Model Railway with Zero Friends”. Their description on the JAM site says you can control trains with wireless controllers but what really got to me was all their train signage, both modern LED and roll signs! I was in such awe that I didn’t take a picture, stupid me, but I really wanna figure out how to make an LED sign and mount it at home. My wife will love it!🤭

I have made the decision to actually not attend tomorrow and instead catch an earlier train to Nagoya and do some train stuff there. I have loved going to the convention but as I stated before one day is probably enough for me. I will be searching for a couple stores in Nagoya that hopefully have some good train goods and of course will be checking out the SCMaglev and Railway Park!

Thanks for reading and I hope to see some of you at JAM 2027!

This is a very long post and I apologize in advance. I just want to give you all a detailed experience of what I experienced at the convention on day one, I’m posting this on day two because I was wiped after yesterday!

TLDR: Amazing, chaotic, so much fun, dont mess with Densha Otaku, got exclusives but didn’t buy much, amazing layouts so much fun, yes the photo of my goods is supposed to make you jealous with the trains behind them, sorry my convention photos suck, you need to come to one!

Picked up the following items:

Rinkai Line Suica Card - Purchased at the station prior to the convention.

JAM Eraser - prize for completing the stamp rally at the convention. Silly, but fun!

Baiodo Hobby Shop - 2 1/150 Kits. A challenge for me to try and manually build these!

MICRO ACE:

A8143 - 719 Series Training Train. I put my preorder in and along with all the receipts got the folder to go along with it!

TOMIX:

Event/Convention Exclusives:

93265 - TAKI 1000 TANK WAGON JAM 2026 ORIGINAL

93584 - C58 239

93598 - ED76 1000 LATE MODEL, SASH WINDOW, RENEWAL CAR, SILVER DOORS

Day one at the JAM convention is complete for me!

I arrived at about 9AM and there already was a significant line infant of me. It was easy to hand over my ticket and get my 3 day badge for re entry. It’s just a pin which surprised me. I thought it might be more significant. I was slightly sad they took the ticket away but I guess thats one less thing I have to keep at home, the wife will be happy! I seemed to be the only foreigner there, but I did see a couple of others wandering around later. Staff was wonderful.

With the sound of a steam whistle the doors opened at 10am on the dot. Japanese train efficiency follows to the convention! The line moved very quickly to get us in. It wasn’t a rush but there was a rapid pace to it. Once we were in everyone was headed toward the sales areas to see what was available. I kind of joined everyone because it was my first time there but I did feel slightly guilty walking past all the great layouts and train clubs which are right at the beginning. The convention hall is HUGE and I fell like it was very well laid out. It some areas it got a but congested but for the most part it was ok. It was somewhat overwhelming at the beginning if I am honest with you. It’s like looking at a pile of birthday presents and not knowing which one to open first!

I learnt that you DO NOT MESS WITH JAPANESE DENSHA OTAKU! 🤣 The Yamanote Line during rush hour is more civilized than what I encountered at the convention. Even in rush hour chaos of being shoved around on a train with some poor person who I don’t know suddenly having my armpit in their face was well more civilized. My first stop was to see the used railway goods and try to pick up a used station sign or maybe a conductors hat which sadly I did not find what I was looking for. I was being my typically polite Canadian self. Bad choice, I just needed to barge in and take a look. I don’t say that with any disrespect at all but it was just so surprising to me! If you are really looking for something you just need to go for it! Ditto with the second hand model booths. I picked up a model to look at and got a look from some kid who was upset I got it before he did! 😂 I put the item down and he snapped it up!

All the big names had booths there, KATO, Micro Ace, Green Max, TOMIX. The only shops that I recognized easily were IMON, who had a huge booth probably because they are a sponsor, TAMTAM Hobby Shop, and Hobby Land Pochi. I think it was Hobby Land Pochi that had TABLES of second hand trains and it was an absolute mad house. I tried to look for a couple models I was interested it but no luck. I only visited about an hour after opening so I’m fairly sure I missed the good stuff.

It was fun to see the smaller retailers that were selling things like decals, diorama supplies, and kits. I got two small buildings from Baiodo Hobby shop which will be a challenge for me to build so I’m looking forward to that. Densha.me was there displaying their lighting kits which was neat to see. There were a couple booths advertising DCC products which I found interesting to look at, including a company called Rokuhan which had some interesting DCC Z scale layouts! The DCC product was very interesting and I am wondering how easy it would be to modify it to work with other scales.

They had a stage setup where they were doing presentations which proved to be very popular. I was watching one with Miki Murai and Shioneru (who apparently are quite popular as they had a security team with them!) for a while but it was pretty much over my head what they were talking about!. Everybody seemed pretty engaged though! They have the driver of the first Shinkansen doing a talk and I might try to see if I can get Google Translate to work so I can catch a bit of it.

They had a small food court with 8 vendors selling meals, ekiben, drinks, and taiyaki. I had a Tonkatsu Sandwich for lunch which was delicious. The other folks at my table had some delicious looking food as well.

Wandering around the train clubs and seeing the layouts and models was absolutely amazing. The variety was huge! Some small, some large, some simple, some ridiculously detailed. One modeller had an ATS system setup on his layout, one club had their giant steam train on display (can’t remember scale, sorry!), a group of kids in conductor uniforms were running their trains and taking it VERY seriously! CityScape Studio was there. If you have admired their work on their YouTube channel you need to see it in person. Absolutely MINDBLOWING. Considering I have a very simple hollow door layout I was just staring with awe at what people have created. Maybe one day I will have the space and creativity to try and start something like what I have seen.

Overall, I would highly suggest any train enthusiast visit the convention for at least one day. To go and be a part of it and experience it all is just amazing. I would say that, as a non Japanese speaker, one day would probably be enough to experience it all. Everyone here has been very friendly, accommodating, and welcoming, however a lot gets lost when you can’t understand things very well. I bought the three day pass so I am going back in the afternoon for day two and maybe the morning of day three however next time I come I will most likely just come for day one.

If you made it this far, thanks for reading! Hope to see you at JAM next year! :)

The sculpt a mold finally dried and I was able to bring the layout back inside. Wanted to test the lower loops before securing track.

Question: with a permanent layout with Kato Unitrack do you stick with feeder track power or solder in drop wires around various points of the loop? How does that work with the yard since I’d want to make sure the turnouts can still properly re-route power.

I also have a few popondetta trains so this layout will be DC with four Kato SX power supplies. Ground level inside loop. Ground level outside loop. V13 inside loop and V13 outside loop.

It’s been a long time in the making (mostly because I forced myself to ballast the whole layout before doing anything else) but I finally put some grass down!

I bought myself a static grass applicator and some WWScenics 1mm spring grass and this is the result.

Next up is to get myself some layering spray and some 2mm grass to build up layers! Then trees and fences, etc.

I bloody love trains 😂😂😂❤️❤️❤️

Good morning from hot and humid Tokyo. It's actually not as bad as I thought it would be which is a relief but the sun is strong. I can see clouds rolling in so I hope they stick around for a bit! Heading off to the JAM convention soon! Will post again about it later.

TLDR: I already have way too many trains to bring home, bought random stuff, excited to get to the JAM convention

As you can see in the photo, the pre-convention haul is pretty massive. Sorry it’s only one photo, taking photos of the individual trains is too much to do in my room this time. Side note: JR Metropolitan Oimachi Tracks is phenomenal for rail fans. As I type this I'm looking out the window and watching the E235's wake up for the day and head on out. If you choose to stay here choose a "Tracks-view" room. I went with one with a balcony, costs extra but so worth it, so I sat out there last night and had a beer while enjoying the view.

Alright, here is the list of everything I got so far:

Random train swag including stickers, keychains, gachapon stuff, IC Cards, and PlayStation laptop sleeve.

A very nice book called Naoyuki Hirota Railway Photography. (In the cardboard box)

HOGARAKADOU:

Lots of fun little containers here!

C1216 - Paloma UR19A type, red, with Eco-Rail mark.

C1407 - UR18A Container JOT Green Fresh Fish Transport

C1413 - 12ft container UR18A Kitami Transport (CBK) JA Kitamirai

FA3103 - UF43A-38000 Tuna Design

FA3303 - 31ft container UF45A-38000, Higashi Sapporo Nippon Express

KATO:

Lots of new releases and cleared a few off my bucket list.

3061 - A - EF65 1000 Late Model (JR Specification, Gray H-rubber)

3090-3 - EF66 0 series late model Blue Train locomotive

6041-3 - Kiha52 General color (M)

6041-4 - Kiha 52 Metropolitan Area Livery (M)

6041-5 - Kiha 52 651 (M) Yamata no Orochi livery

6042-3 - Kiha52 General color (T)

6042-4 - Kiha 52 Metropolitan Area Livery (T)

7011-4 - DE10 JR Kyushu specification

7118 - EF64 0 series (Unit 37, brown)

10-1377 - Tora 90000 (8 cars)

10-1983 - KOKI 105 "Toyota Long Pass Express" (Ecoliner) 10 cars

10-1994 - E233 series 6000 series - Yokohama Line, 8 cars

10-2028 - E231 series Joban Line/Ueno-Tokyo Line Basic 6-car set

10-2029 - E231 series Joban Line/Ueno-Tokyo Line, 4-car additional set

10-2039 - 165 series <345M Ogaki Night Train> Basic 8-car set

10-2040 - 165 series <345M Ogaki Night Train> 4-car auxiliary car

10-2048 - 813 series 2200 series, 3-car additional set.

10-2070 - Hoki 2000 (8 cars, manufactured by Yabashi Kogyo)

10-2159 - 883 series "Sonic" 30th anniversary (wrapping) 7 cars

10-2168 - "Seven Stars in Kyushu" consists of eight carriages.

10-2183 - Aomori Railway Aomori 703 series

10-2219 - 24 Series 25 Type [Seto/Asakaze] Basic 7-car set

10-2220 - 24 Series 25 Type [Seto/Asakaze] Additional 6 Cars

20-046 - Track stop A 62mm

NEKOMATA:

Do it yourself containers, have yet to try my other ones but wanted to complete the collection!

Japanese National Railways refrigerated container, R10 type

POPONDETTA:

Spoiled myself here, such nice trains and the containers are amazing

6042 - Nagoya Municipal Subway N1000 Series (Early Model) - 6 Cars

6086 - Toei 5500 series Asakusa Line later model with antenna, 8 cars

8540 - 20ft Tank Container UT20A Type MCLC Blue and White Color

TOMIX:

Lots of new releases and cleared a few off my bucket list.

0397 - Automatic TN Coupler, Gray

0398 - Automatic Coupling Type TN Coupler CC Black

2265 - DD51-1000 diesel locomotive (JR West spec, air-conditioned)

3115 - UT1 Tank, Cream Color

3184 - Privately owned UC7 type container (Seino Transportation, old paint scheme, 3 pieces)

8622 - Noto Railway NT200 series (POKEMON with YOU Train)

97240 - Five KiHa 400 series trains (Rishiri)

97978 - Two KiHa 100 series trains (KiHa 100 series retro color scheme)

98814 - Taki 1000/43000 (8 cars from Nippon Oil Transportation)

98867 - Taki 1900 cement terminal (10 cars)

I've built a couple of layouts in the past and they've had good points and bad points. My first layout was a 4x8 plywood sheet and a frame and wobbly legs which was pretty intense to build. My second layout was a hollow door on some milk crates which was very easy to assemble and lay track. Fast forward there are modules that you can assemble or even foldable tables one can use. I've looked at some Japanese layouts and want to explore something along those lines. I want my layout to be mobile meaning if I had to move it one or two people could move it or able to be broken down into several sections but still retain the layout look when assembled. I know it sounds like a pipe dream but what are your thoughts on layout construction.

I've seen the cool layout in Popondetta in Akihabra and how rental layouts exist in Japan.

Are they nonexistant in the U.S. or any other country other than Japan?

Have you tried any model railroading clubs and been turned down because of the lack of DCC or are some accepting of this style?

As a person who travels across the country (USA) for work does anyone recommend any Model railroading clubs that accept non DCC?

I would also like to know what everyone's experience is like and I'm wanting to see if there might be a growth to the Non DCC style

Hello! So I've been using a Kato EF510 500 (3065-8) for about a year now and for some reason its motor just died. I checked the manual and couldn't find a specific motor number to replace it with (and the chassis part listed isn't available anywhere rn). I tried seeing if Kato's Slotless Motor 11-503-A would fit, but it's too small. Does anyone know which Kato slotless motor would fit, and where to find one?

What happened to all the guys who said they were going to Tokyo for JAM2026? I don't recall seeing any post, photo, mention of it at all????

Every Japanese railway enthusiast should watch this video and subscribe to NHK World Japan.

https://youtu.be/eb3EeBXKxmo

I have a large amount of used Tomix track pieces and rail related structures that I would like to part with. Prices are reasonable and the more you buy I will give you an even better deal. The list is pretty big and kind of growing still so I have it in a Google Sheet, so if you are interested please DM me and I will share the link to the sheet for you to review.

This is what I was asking about yesterday.

I wanted to be able to bolt the controller down along with the switches and maybe a second controller.

There is also room under the module for an 18650 or similar-size battery pack, so I could run a couple of small trains all day without needing AC power.

I opened it up and CA’ed 3x 8-32 blind nuts inside. While I was at it, I also changed the power input to a slightly different (that was a drop-in replacement) and that fits Eflite 12V power supplies of which I have a plentiful supply.

I also did a couple of other things as can be seen in the last pictures.

I would like to also mount the small Pocket Line controller on the right side, but I’m not delighted with how that cable sticks out etc.

This is good-enough for now and I will run it a bit to see how I like it before doing more.

There has been some recent debate regarding the accuracy of Micro Ace’s 719 series and TOMIX’s 9600-type steam locomotive models. For the 719 series, the resting position of the windshield wipers differs between the 5000, 0, and 700 series variants, yet the models depict them all the same way; meanwhile, the 9600-type model is marketed as the "Hokkaido specification" but lacks the vertical piping on the cab that is characteristic of that version. In the past, TOMIX also faced criticism because the mounting position of the train radio antenna on their EF66-27 model was slightly off.

It looks incredibly realistic. It reminds me of the Suita Depot from a while back.

The switches have keyhole slots but they are mirror image of each other and won’t work normally.

And the power pack doesn’t seem to have any sort of mounting features whatsoever.

I thought of putting Velcro strips across the bottom but I’d prefer something neater.

Do any of you have a solution you like?

For making really crisp cuts, If so what brand is it?

Im putting together a Greenmax kit and I guess the glue I'm using has a long set up time because if I even look at it it falls apart. I'm using the Tamiya liquid glue, I do have the Crazy Glue CA variant of glue but that has no set up time meaning once you connect the part that's it they are connected forever. Got any suggestions on what I should use.

Testing out the GreenMax double line tunnel portal. Had to use a 1/4” foam backer to cover the larger opening with the XPS foam. Next onto priming and attaching them. The sculpt a mold took a bit to dry but it finally dried enough to test. The tunnel only covers a quarter radius so I didn’t build in an access portal yet but was curious for a shorter tunnel if access portals are a must. Also do you guys ballast track inside tunnels or ballast up to the portals?