Japanese N scale structures

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
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I am pretty devoted to my HO scale layout, but my wife loves N scale trains (we collect American prototypes ones for her) and all things Japanese. I thought it might be nice to build a double-width (24") or triple-width (36") T-trak module that is based on Japan. That way, we can run her N scale trains and I could build a nice Japanese themed landscape similar to what we see when we watch her anime (cartoons) together.

However, I know little about what is available in N scale for structures. I see on Ebay a company “Sankei” that puts out plastic models in 1:150 scale. I have also seen paper fold-up structures but I am not interested in those. Is 1:150 the standard ratio for Japanese N scale? Can someone recommend some companies that I could order catalogs from, or check out their websites?

Thanks.

2

When I was in N scale there was a Japanese company called “Green Max” that put out some amazing structures.

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There were so many extra bits in the boxes that were all amazing little details.

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Many were also easily converted to resemble American structures.

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I hope this helps.

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-Kevin

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3

Search for Tomytec, n scale

Simon

4
  • Greenmax
  • Kato
  • Tomytec
  • Sankei

A good source is Hobby Search

Kato, Tomytec and Sankei buildings come fully colored, but Greenmax buildings require painting.

Japanese N scale products are alwways 1/150 scale.

5

Hi Benjamin,

If you have the latest Walthers HO/N scale catalog (I just got mine 2 weeks ago), go to the N scale structures section (or go to their website). There is a bunch of Tomytec buildings shown in that section that might work pretty well. T-trak would be great, or it could be incorporated into a really cool coffee table layout.

Thanks,

Jeff

6

I second the vote for Kato N scale structures. There is a pretty good variety of industrial, commercial, and railroad-related structures, and all are very high quality and very easy to assemble and all would fit seamlessly into a Japanese themed layout.

If you (or your wife) want some inspiration, here’s a link to a club in Washington, DC that is specifically geared toward Japan themes: Japan Rail Modelers

If you’re in the DC Metro area, go see one of their shows. If not, there are plenty of topics and links on their website to get you started.

Hope this helps.

Robert

7

Thanks for all of the great suggestions! I also reached out to the Japan Model Railroaders, who were also very helpful.

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As you mentioned T-Trak - you will find a simple, but very effective alternative to T-Trak on the pages of the Japan Model Railroaders - look here:

Confessions of a Mediocre Model Railroader

9

The Sumida Crossing website has lots of information and links about Japanese N scale trains: http://www.sumidacrossing.org/

In 2016 my wife and I spent two weeks in Japan. I visited the Kyoto Railway Museum which was very impressive (look up the YouTube video of their huge layout) and also the world headquarters of Kato in Tokyo (more great layouts and lots of N scale stuff to purchase, Japanese and North American).