I want to give a Japanese train as a gift. I would prefer a freight engine as opposed to a passenger one.
Kato, but I am not sure how easy it would be to get one of the Japanese models here in the USA.
Man, that is a hard question. I looked at some Japanese freights and they look a lot like German locomotives.
There’s a Fleisman DB BR 212 Diesel that looks a lot like a Class DE10. But not exact.
I found this site http://www.xs4all.nl/~raicho/model/model.htm with a page some links on Japanese model trains http://www.xs4all.nl/~raicho/model/manufacturers.html
If you mean HOj (1:80 scale on 16.5mm gauge,) the answer is, “A whole lot of folks.”
HOj is extremely popular. That’s the good news.
The bad news is that it’s extremely popular in Japan - period. Also, the prices quoted for RTR HOj models in Tetsudo Mokei Shumi (the Japanese equivalent of MR) are right up there with (or beyond) the most expensive American-prototype equivalents.
You didn’t mention which breed of locomotive interested you, so I’ll mention one of each:
Electric (2000vdc catenary) - EF15 or EF16 (five versions of pre-WWII 1-C+C-1 box cabs), 29,400 yen (sale price) from Tenshodo. http://www.tenshodo.co.jp may or may not be helpful. (Japanese rail traffic is almost entirely electrified, so electrics are numerous.)
Steam. 1926-built (very) light 2-8-0 with 4-wheel tender. ‘Raw materials’ kit (builds up into a brass loco in the hands of a master craftsman,) 79,800 yen (not listed ready-to-run.) Most currently-advertised steam seems to be passenger types, 4-6-2 and 4-6-4, at similar (or higher) prices. I was unable to find any mention of the standard 2-8-2’s (D50/51/52 classes) or their 2-8-4 rebuilds.
Diesel. None currently advertised. The standard diesel switcher/branch line loco was the DD13, a Bo-Bo center-cab. The DD51, a Bo-2-Bo (yes, there’s a non-powered truck in the middle!) center-cab, is still in service. In Japan, the transition was from steam to catenary, with diesel power picking up the crumbs on routes with too little traffic to warrant electrification. Diesel passenger trains are MU cars without locomotives.
To put those prices into perspective, as of today, the rate of exchange is 118.65 yen to the US dollar. To put availability into perspective, there is far more available in N scale, but at comparable prices.
Now you know why I am no longer buying rolling stock!
Chuck (modeling the Central Japan Alps in HOj)
As Chuck noted, many of the RTR HOj models available are quite expensive. However, there are other options…
Kato make a beautiful model of the EF65 Bo-Bo-Bo electric loco, which is available in two versions, EF65-500 and EF65-1000. These locos were dual-purpose, freight or passenger power.
http://hobbyworld.aoshima-bk.co.jp/scripts/hw/seeke.aspx?seek_code=KAT1-303
They also make a model of the EF58 2-Co-Co-2 electric, another dual-purpose loco.
http://hobbyworld.aoshima-bk.co.jp/scripts/hw/seeke.aspx?seek_code=KAT1-301
Then there’s Tomix, who offer a range of Japanese locos - EF64, EF66, EF81, and my personal favorite, the ED75.
http://www.tomytec.co.jp/tomix/report/ho/menu/ho_menu.html
Kato and Tomix also make diesel locos, EMUs, DMUs, and rollingstock. Other manufacturers of HOj include Endo-Prus and MicroAce.
All the best,
Mark.
(Modelling the Hokuriku region in HOj, and Mie region in HOe.)
You reckon they look alike? You’re kidding, yeah???[:D][:D][:D]
Seriously, Kato make a model DE10 in HOj.
Cheers,
Mark.
No, I’m as serious as a hart attack Mark… They’re both red and have a cab somewhere near the middle. [swg]
Anyway, about as close as a Trainmaster is to a SD-9 high nose.