Hobby Search BLOG
http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/blog/
In this Blog, the company members at HOBBY SEARCH (toy mail-order company in Japan) write about daily actions.<![CDATA["You just wanted to do that, didn`t you?" series]]>
The JR group has special trains with interior/exterior that is very different to the normal trains, for use as group train, or as temporary substitute train. And they are the trains called [Joyful Train].
It's not like they were recently made, there were already Joyful Trains and Resort Trains etc. existing back in the JNR days. And especially around the end of the JNR period, there were many trains produced for the people who wanted to
travel around Japan, due to the asset price bubble in Japan at the time.
Those that are particularly well known are the "Euro Liner", "Salon Express Tokyo", "Super Express Rainbow",
and "Salon Car Naniwa" etc. They are salon cars and the interior design could be western or eastern style, many with the
tail train having a large observatory seats prepared as well. So today, I will introduce these items of my personal interest, the Joyful Trains.
Here is a train that was produced in the JNR period, a Joyful Train by the name of "Edo". This was created, by reforming the series 12-passenger carriage that was in a surplus state. It was active during 1984~2000 in the central area of the capital region.
I thought that this naming of "Edo" was quite a drastic, but just as its name, it's a Japanese-style salon car. Each car had been named with the name of a downtown area in Tokyo, the "Torigoe", "Yushima", "Fukagawa", "Hanakawado",
"Mukoujima", and "Shibamata". They happen to be mostly areas somewhat near the Hobby Search office, too. Apparently this was taken from the Suro series 81 passenger car
that was used by the JNR Tokyo Southern Railway Administration Bureau, before the "Edo" was made.
The Joyful trains of this era were mainly reformed based on the series 12 or 14. As a passenger car, the
locomotive that will pull the train at the front is variable, and I personally wanted to join the EF65 series 1001 with it, so
here is the resultant image.
I just wanted to make this formation out of my own personal interest... but personally, I think the blue locomotive fits very well with "Edo". I had seen the "Edo" running on the JR line several times, back when I was a child, and I had
always wondered where those train were going. Only those involved will know their destinations, regardless of if the train is a temp or group use... It would be nice to see the formation with the EF62 series and EF64 series too,
wouldn't it?
At the front (well its actually the tail car right at the back), there is a car with a large window. This is the observatory seat, and I'm sure the scenery you could see from there is just spectacular.
This observatory car has been greatly reformed, but if you look on the other side, you can still see remnants of the similar series, Suhahu 12.
You can see the inside quite clearly for the cars with large windows, from the outside, but if you take a look at the photo... removing the body of Surofu 12-825 (Torigoe), you can see that the seats of the interior has been beautifully
reproduced. Plus, the table has been pre-colored brown, such detail. Also, the plastic is different color compared to the observatory seats. And, the window isn't just a clear
transparency; you can tell it has been lightly colored blue. Ah, Micro Ace does such a good job, they focus on what others might not find as important. You could almost sense a 'they just
wanted to do that' kind of spirit in it.
This here is Oro 12-850 (Fukagawa), one of the 4 middle cars. As the side windows have been left as it was as the similar series (Oha 12), it's a type that can be opened
and closed, so its hard to see inside from the outside, but the interior has the tables and seats lined up here too. However, have you noticed that the seat arrangement is different to that of the previous car? At the
left side of the image, there is an 'L' shaped wall that divides the room for the toilet, even though you can't see from the outside. And the black part at the right end is there to support the
optional room light parts if you choose to install it, and had been made black so that it won't stand out.
So as you can see, the interior has been reproduced, and this just make you want to insert figurines in there and create a lively atmosphere inside the train, doesn't it? For example, if it was used for a school trip, it may be full with
students and their teachers etc, and if it was heading for the hot springs, the passengers may be group travelers having a party or something. If it was rented out as a bridal train, there may be a wedding ceremony held inside.
So, I've listed the representative Joyful Trains here. The products by Micro Ace have very detailed interior, as I hope you noticed, but the other companies have very nice products as well, so I recommend them too. Please enjoy using
them with the locomotive of your liking. And we apologize for the items that are already out of stock, and thank you for your understanding.
Now, the list of reformed passenger car Joyful Trains above, the only ones that are still running at present are probably limited to the "Salon Car Naniwa" and "Yu-yu Salon Okayama". They mostly have either retired or has been
replaced by other Joyful Trains.
By Kapinozuka
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http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/blog/1003122
Archives2010-03-12T19:13:47+09:00<![CDATA[Where is my Helmeppo?]]>
There are special effects series such as Godzilla and Masked Rider, Ultraman etc., and robot type things that can transform and even
combine.
And, the lively ladies, some cute, some pretty, and some sexy too, the figurines of the girls.
However, the item to be introduced today is not of the above.
They call them Nice Guys, we call them Ikemen (which is a Jap slang for handsome, btw). Yes, those wonderful gentlemen.
...
......
Just like every month, the new item from Portrait.Of.Pirates by Megahouse has been announced!
The figurine series from the hugely popular Shonen manga [One Piece]! BOOM!
This series, the level of completion is purely very high, but what I think is the main feature and find most attractive about this series
is that the mood of the original has been directly reproduced.
This month, there were 3 announced.
Let's zoom through them, shall we?
The Warrior of Love, A.K.A Sanji, the chef of the Straw Hat Pirates (Boom!).
The handsome character rivaling Zoro, but unlike Zoro's strict marshal arts style, he is a very loose character who loves to flirt with
girls very much.
The guy that suites a stylish suit. So manly!
Clearly unlike Zoro, who doesn't seem to care much about fashion. Of course, Zoro is manly in his own rights.
Here is the musician of the Straw Hat Pirates, Brook (Bam!).
He may not look so flashy, and errr... and he isn't all that hot on the inside either... but I personally like him very much. LOVE.
And his head even opens, and his musical shell is equipped and ready! Yohohoho!
By the way, the height difference between each character has been made to scale, so the height will be roughly 30cm, apparently.
And today's main dish is this man right here.
The ex 'Seven Warlords of the Sea', and the President of Baroque Works, Sir Crocodile (Dudooom!!)
The fluffy looking feathered coat, the right hand with loads of rings, just magnificent.
One mistake and he will be just a rich guy, but the way he makes it look cool is the proof of a villain.
Just awesome, from whichever angle you look at him.
Oh and his coat comes off too!
A real man is soo fine, even when he takes it off.
But yeah, the series that hasn't lost momentum even though its been airing for so long, One Piece.
There are many characters that haven't been productized yet, so that's something to look forward to.
For those that has been collecting these from the beginning, I do worry in a different way, if they have enough space for them all.
Righty then, that's it for today!
See you in the next week's blog!
By Tomeko, who shouts, "I AM GREAT (Boom!)" (*pretending to be Captain Morgan)
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http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/blog/100312
Archives2010-03-12T11:36:56+09:00<![CDATA[Fare well, [Hokuriku] & [Noto]]]>
On the other hand, there are sad news, such as some trains ending their operation.
The JR line will adjust their service plan diagram on 13th of March, soon to come, and the sleeper express [Hokuriku] and midnight express [Noto] will both end their run at the same time, causing it to be one of the topic of discussion. The [Hokuriku] and [Noto] are night trains that connects
Ueno and Kanazawa. They also have a long history, with valuable points each. I think I will introduce the product relating to these two, while revisiting the memories of them.
Although I unfortunately haven't had the chance to go on one, so it will be memories viewed from outside.
[Midnight Express Noto]
At present, [Noto] is running by limited express train series 489. This
series 489 has a bonnet type leading train, one of the few formations to have them these days, and it's the last to be used as a regular train. Also, there aren't many of this cream
and red [JNR limited express coloring] trains left these days.
Kato has been releasing night train series in N-scale since 2 years ago, but this time, coincidentally the release period and the train ending its run happened to overlap, becoming
the topic of conversation in the world of model trains.
This [Noto] here, I personally get the impression of the Home Liner first. Home liner is a fix-capacity style train that you can ride with a cheap ticket, running its forwarding
operation simultaneously while the car itself is free.
Before, I saw a mysterious train without its head mark lit up, during the evening rush hour on the platform of Keihin Tohoku Line quite often, and this was the Home liner using the
series 489. During the spare time before the series 489 operates as the [Noto], it runs as [Home liner Konosu] of Takasaki line and [Home liner Koga] of Utsunomiya line, running a lap between Ueno and its end stations each. To me, this appeared as if it's
warming up or something, I thought. Back then, I always commuted on the series 209 of Keihin Tohoku line, thinking it wouldn't be surprising if there is a machine trouble and stops
running, but on the other side, there was the Home liner on the Utsunomiya line, that lets people elegantly ride a limited express style train home with a cheap ticket, which I found
very envious.
Of course, there were times I saw the [Noto] that departed from Ueno, at Nippori station. The car interior, brightly lit by fluorescent lighting, never gave me the impression of it
being too full. I saw on the [Noto], running right past before my eyes, a group of young people close to my age, with their luggage and snowboard gears or something, laughing and
having a good time. Ah, it's a Friday night. I wonder where they are gonna be snowboarding this weekend, I thought. At that time, I was waiting for the train on the Joban line
The steam locomotive pulling is the standard color EF64 series 1000, and each company has released that particular train as models. Each company also has the series 14 productized,
but there are none sporting the name of [Hokuriku] at the moment, so you will have to pick a suitable train to recreate your own formation.
this is off topic, but I believe To*ix or someone will create the [Good Bye Hokuriku] kind of model, although I have nothing to back up the belief.
This is also reminiscence, about something I saw, late at night. It was on the way home from work, and I was staring into space at the Nippori station of Joban line, round about the
time the last train for the day is nearing, there was a train going past with a small white light on the other rail. This is a [Hokuriku] before its departure, running from the Oku
train center to Ueno station as a [Suisen Kaisou (propelled out-of-service car)], which basically is an out of service train running on reverse. On the tail car, which is actually the
leading car at this point, there is a number of staff with yellow helmet, with a transceiver looking thing in the their hands, probably communicating with the steam engine driver in
the steam locomotive right at the back, pushing the train. Mindlessly seeing it off, thinking that it will pick up passengers at Ueno station and head off to Kanazawa.
Also on another late night after work, I saw a [Hokuriku] that had just departed from Ueno station, but unlike the previous line, it runs north along the Utsunomiya line. From inside
the windows of [Hokuriku] running past, there is warm light of the light bulb leaking out. You could see a man sitting on the side-seats at the passage, looking out the window of the
train with a can of beer in one hand. I don't know if he will keep drinking 'til dawn, or if he will go sleep on the sleeper car once he finish, but either way, the train will cross
from the Pacific Ocean side to the side of the sea of Japan while he is relaxing, and reach Kanazawa by sun rise. I couldn't help thinking how different his life is, compared to mine,
as I sit under the cold of a winter night, waiting for the train at the platform of Nippori station of Joban line. It's a completely different world, with a barrier in between.
These reminiscences were from a time long before I came to Hobby Search... But I think you can see glimpse of a variety of human drama on the night trains. There was a sight of people
enjoying the relaxation of traveling, not the speed of it. It really is nice I think, because it gets you to your destination while you sleep, after all.
The [Hokuriku] and [Noto] will end their run as of the train departing on the night of March 12th. That's another one, two less night trains departing from Tokyo's "Gateway to the
North", a.k.a. Ueno station. I guess those that remains are only [Cassiopeia], [Hokutosei], and [Akebono], it seems.
At Ueno station and along the rail, there are already many people gathering to photograph the two trains, but those of you who intend to go take pics or just look, please be careful
not to have an accident. Also, try not to get in the way of people taking photos, don't use flash at the train, don't go beyond the yellow lines at the platform, don't enter private
properties and areas for the railway, and follow the instructions of the staff (such as the station staff), and behave with manners.
So I may have gone off topic quite a bit, but even if the real train is gone, they can remain running eternally in the world of railway models. So why not keep a model of [Hokuriku]
and [Noto] by your side?
By Kapinozuka
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http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/blog/100311
Archives2010-03-11T13:05:28+09:00<![CDATA[Regarding the case of snow in March...]]>
This is out of the blue, but Daiki Gel has this property that kills virus and bacteria on your hand...
Soooo! Let's cover her with Daiki Gel again!! Yeah!!
There were no such incident, idiot!
Right, anyway... equipped with normal face parts...
to the right, is my wifeKohiru introduced previously, and to the left is Melienda.
Damn Gabas, saying stupid things again!
*SNAP!*
HUH!? what...was that??
what was that noise???
!!?
Ah!!!! *gasps*
Melienda: "Move aside! I am the main today!!"
Waaait a sec...!!
That personality is clearly way too different to the appearance!!
Gabas: "Ah, so this is the Battle Rondo people has been talking about. I see."
WHAT EVER!! JUST STOP THESE TWO!!
GABAS!!
Gabas: "Woah, an event where two girls are fighting over me, what's this Eroge (H-game) called?"
gosh... may be its about time...
we should take Gabas to the hospital...
Seriously.
Changing the expression parts...
Does everyone know what I wanna say?
"whats with that look, are you trying to seduce me?"
Carrying on, the entire body... (ignore the fact that she's fully equipped already please) Kohiru: "......" Gabas: "Uaaaaagh!! Melienda is too cute that living is too much pressure!!"
This Melienda here has been designed with European dishware in mind,
so each armor parts are designed maid costume style!! HOWEVER
Even with such design, its movement range isn't bad, and its been put together very cutely, so Gabas would like to give her the thumbs up.
And...
OF COURSE!!
Being a spoon type Shinki,
It fully transforms into a spoon!!
It can even turn into a fork!!
Gabas: "You don't mind, do you? Just a little bit, really! Kohiru went through with this too!" Melienda: "nnnahh! d,damn hentai master! P,Please Stop!"
Gabas: "THERE!!" Melienda: "aaaahaan!!"
The sole of Melienda's shoes also has a pattern molded on it!!
I have to say they do a good job!
But does the hip armor move?
It would restrict the movement very much if it didn't
Don't worry! It moves fine!
The front armor and side armor both move up and down,
so it doesn't restrict the leg movement at all!
hmmm, looks like Busou Shinki really has changed!
Seems they've been made with the users in mind!
THAT'S RIGHT! This is the year for the revival of Busou Shinki!
Come on everyone, let's go buy Busou Shinki together!!
So that was it for the introduction of Konami Busou Shinki Light Armor Melienda
By Gabas, who is glad the train didn't stop...
...
......
......... Right, lets ring Daiki Kougyo,
to request the production of Shinki-gel...
*ring ring ring, ring ring ring*
*Click*
ah someone picked up!
Hello there, ummmm...
*caption: Colonel Mu*ka here! Let's hear what you have to say!
...huh?
[THE END]
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http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/blog/100310
Archives2010-03-10T19:41:50+09:00<![CDATA[Today's mumbling.]]>
Roku here.
Roku is kinda like this recently.
This has nothing to do with the image above, but the movement range of Robot Spirit is really surprising.
The cable growing from the back is called the umbilical cable, same as that cable that was once attached to your belly button.
Just a trivia that has nothing to do with the intro sentence, nor the pic above...
Anyway, was the face of Type-02 always like this?
It's been over 10 years since I saw the anime on TV... but was the face like this...
(Apparently the settings and designs have been changed here and there in the movie.)
It seems that there are quite a number of old robot animes which are newly remade as sequals.
Such as Gaiking and Jeeg
etc...
I didn't realize Eva had been out for so long...
From the Legend of Daiku-Maryu, Gaiking Face open Ver.
When the front armor comes off, he becomes stronger with the power of fire or something. May be it's used as last resort.
Wasn't there a similar setting for Eva type-01?
Like the armor coming off and going berserk or something...
Steel God Jeek
The one that's not Hiroshi, from the sequel.
Hiroshi from Jeek of Steel was a cyborg, but this Steel God Jeek is apparently a human of flesh and bones.
Revoltech 85 Grendizer
There are so many old robot anime becoming productized.
By Roku, who lurked like a shinobi in the forest of cardboard boxes at lunch...
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http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/blog/1003092
Archives2010-03-09T15:29:50+09:00<![CDATA[Today's Odd Train]]>
Kapinozuka here, getting an article in before Roku.
Since our blog leader seems to be working hard on a series of articles introducing strange products (in a good kinda way), I thought I might as well follow the trend and write about something along that line, from a rail model perspective.
There was a 17m class old electric train called Kumoha 11 series 200, and modifying this as the base, Kumoya 22 series 000 and 001 were born.
I'm sorry for the image only being something of a construction plan sheet right now at this current date. The body is brown, with the face being stripe pattern of yellow and black. The only body-like area is the driver's room on each end, so I'm sure you can tell that by its looks that its appearance is clearly not normal.
This is an experimental train with purpose to transporting freight containers.
Actually, JNR was planning a project in the 1960's, something like "Let's run an express freight train on the Tokaido Shinkansen high-speed rail line". The conventional freight train had a steam locomotive pulling heavy freight cars, so they had strength, but lacked speed, therefore they would clearly get in the way on a shinkansen (bullet-train) rail. So they thought, if they create an electric train style freight car, by motorizing each car like bullet train cars, it might just work on the high-speed rail.
So they modified cars that were no longer needed. And this was the birth of Kumoya 22 series 000 and 001, as a container freight car.
At this time, the size was apparently decided with the intent to load the containers as shown below.
They thought, if they turned the containers loaded on the standard train 90 degrees, it will fit the width of the shinkansen train size. In this age, you would doubt yourself if you saw this plan.
However, this project to run a high-speed freight train on the Tokaido Shinkansen line was abolished due to a series of complication, leaving the freight train that runs on Shinkansen line to be just imagination. The experimental container freight train Kumoya 22 series 000 and 001 had been given a door like that of truck doors, and are used as distribution train, train which transport parts to the train factory.
Anyway, these distribution trains are quite tricky, as they are very difficult to make them run on their own, as a train model. It's all right as a large-scale model such as the HO-scale, but when it comes to N-scale, where will the power unit, i.e. the motor and gears etc. be placed? As the only space to hide the power unit were the driver's room at the ends, this is something many train modelers continued their trial and error process.
Some may have hid the power unit in the containers that were loaded. But running this train without containers or anything on it was the greatest problem.
The kit by World Craft shown previously, has been equipped with a super mini power unit, so there is no need hide large motors with containers.
Right, so after the trials, the freight trains are continuing to run on the standard rail as standard train, to this current date. Is the container train going to remain as a dream for Japan...?
...but tens of years later, Japan Freight Rail has done it!
In year 2004, the JR Freight has succeeded in creating a container train.
Named M250 series, a high-powered, high-speed container train has been released to the world. Nicknamed "Super Rail Cargo", the specifications of this train has been made as a company Hobby Search uses often, the Sagawa Express custom.
The Super Rail Cargo departs from the Tokyo freight terminal late at night, and dashes straight onto the Tokaido main line and reach Ajikawaguchi Station (Osaka) early in the morning. Running with top speed of 130km/h, and using around 6hours. That's as good as the limited express [Kodama], [Tsubame](electric train series 151). And by using the Super Rail Cargo, Sagawa succeeded in reducing over 12000t of CO2 per year. Now that is surprising.
The ideals brought by today's odd train, a.k.a. Kumoya 22 type 000 and 001, although its not exactly as planed, is supporting the logistics of Japan today in one way or another.
By Kapinozuka, who mentions that Roku's blog is up next.
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http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/blog/100309
Archives2010-03-09T11:47:40+09:00<![CDATA[Today's Odd Kit]]>
Oh and assembling model kits without doing anything extra, like painting them etc. is called sugumi, just incase you aren't familiar with the
plastic kit terms.
Anyway, today I will introduce the Rare, strange and interesting plastic model kits, which I shall refer to as odd kits.
At a glance, it seems like just another machine for construction.
But this is actually the first Bulldozer made in Japan, and this was before the war.
The more you look at it, you notice how bold it is.
We can see that it is rather large, from comparing it to that man sitting on the drivers seat.
The plainness (in a good way) of the blade part and those pipes wrangling around gives off an air of history and age, don't you think?
Here is a pic of the driver's seat at a close-up angle. It's soooo rough compared to the bulldozers these days. (but that's what I like about it)
At the nose tip is the logo of Komatu...... and the emblem consisting of the sakura and anchor, the mark of Japanese Navy.
Don't underestimate the model just because it's a 1/48 scale.
Tamiya is serious about their military miniature series.
As you can see, even the underbelly (?) has been reproduced with such detail, illustrating the construction of the actual bulldozer very
realistically.
Why not compare it with other tanks and aircrafts of the same scale.
Here is an item from a bunch of imported kits, which one may say is slightly maniac.
Basically, this is a set of figurines of people evacuating from the war, instead of soldiers... but yeah, I have to say the description really is
something.
"The couple sitting on the ground in despair, the children evacuating with their family, the victims of the European Campaign evacuating has been
turned into a miniature model" (taken from the product description)
...
......
The couple sitting on the ground in despair
The children evacuating with their family
This really reminded me of [The Diary Of Anne Frank]. It sure did.
Pursuing reality sometimes reeks of brutality of the world.
As it is a 1/72 scale, I assume they are to be displayed mainly with tanks and jets...
I get the feeling that this will give birth to a very touching diorama.
Military stuff can be really deep sometimes, wouldn't you agree?
We've started taking preorders for quite a number of new products from other overseas manufacturers as well, so make sure you check them out too!
I personally am interested in the color etchings etc. from Eduard.
Imagining that all the tiny parts are fully colored beforehand, it's very moving.
......right, so that was it for today!
Thanks for supporting Hobby Search, see you in the next post!
By Tomeko, the Demon of cleaning.
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http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/blog/100308
Archives2010-03-08T17:29:51+09:00<![CDATA[New Type Boiler]]>- EF510 500 Hokutosei Color
So awesome. This is the Blue Train Boiler of the 21st century.
So, hi everyone, Kapinozuka here.
Have you seen Kato's new product announcement poster for this month!?
EF510 series 500 Hokutosei color is featured rather largely.
The EF510 series 500 (here after referred to as EF510-500) is the new electric locomotive of JR East. For those who just thought 'There are plenty of info for new types, who cares', think again!
To state what is so amazing about this particular train is that...
It's the first electric locomotive for JR East to introduce.
Yes, you may think that JR East has many locomotives already.
It's been 20 years already since the JNR was split and becoming privatized.
It was divided into 6 Passenger rail companies (Hokkaido Railway Company, JR East, JR Central, West Japan Railway Company, Shikoku Railway Company, Kyushu Railway Company) and 1 freight train company (Japan Freight Railway Company),
but
Within this 20 year period, it has only been Japan Freight Railway that has introduced new type locomotives.
Starting with JR East, all the JR passenger railways has not produced a single new locomotive within the last 20 years.
In other words, they have been managing with just the locomotives they had inherited from the JNR.
With the operation of bullet trains, competitive airlines and highways being serviced, the current long distance trains are declining at the moment. This is especially true to the long distance passenger trains such as the Blue Train
sleeper express, which is rapidly reducing in number. Therefore, they decided that there had not been much need to create new train to pull these declining locomotives, I'm would think.
However, for the luxury trains, which people have difficulties getting onto due to the tickets being on high demand with high competition, such the [Hokutosei] and [Cassiopeia] etc. the sleeper express which are operating under JR East
is starting to feel that "the trains from the JRN age is reaching it's limits", I would imagine.
So, they got off their heavy bottom and made a decision to introduce new locomotive, which is the EF510-500 in the photo.
This locomotive was originally
A locomotive developed by Japan Freight Railway,
The currently active EF510 series, known by the nickname of Red Thunder, had been modified for use by JR East.
For those that only thought, "So the JR made a locomotive amongst themselves, ooh wow.", you still have a way to go.
Currently, each JR company is individually developing trains.
(this also caused the same series number cars to be crossed over to the other company etc.)
In other words, by JR East taking in the locomotive from Japan Freight Railways,
The greatness of EF510 developed by Japan Freight
had been accepted by JR East, in regards to both technology and performance.
The Japan Freight Railways EF510 series is currently active on the line called Nihon-Kai Jukaisen, the center of lines running on the coast of Japan, lugging freight.
You could think of it as the Star locomotive of Japan, supporting the transport of freight.
It may be reflecting its popularity, as in N-scale, each of Kato, Tomix and Micro Ace has produced the model of this series.
These products were released earlier than it's actual debut.
I can remember each of these companies putting their best into producing these models, and racing for their sale, like it was yesterday.
So, EF510 series is a locomotive you can't miss, one could say.
This EF510-500 series, announced by Kato for production in N-scale this time, is currently on trial run at the moment, in preparation for its debut.
We don't know when the actual debut will be yet,
But it seems that they are planning to introduce 15 by the end, and out of that, apparently 13 will be blue trains that will be called the 'Hokutosei Color'.
We can at least be sure that it will be pulling the Sleeper Express [Hokutosei], I would think.
Now, the remaining 2 trains will be pulling the [Cassiopeia], so it seems they will be colored silver. These are still at the planning stage, so there isn't an actual train made yet, but is something for us to look forward to.
We are currently taking reservations for the Kato EF510 500 Hokutosei Color at the moment. So let's get this locomotive and run this Hokutosei on the 21st
century of N-scale.
By Kapinozuka.
[Terminology]
Boiler = common or popular name for locomotives. It originates from steam locomotives, as the steam from the water being boiled by coal powered them.
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http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/blog/100306
Archives2010-03-06T18:00:05+09:00<![CDATA[Can't stop playing with dolls... and work isn't over yet.]]>
Hey everyone, Tomeko here.
Today's guest is that girl, standing by for the second season of the anime series, coming soon.
Following Yui, Mio has also been turned into a doll by Azon! Yahooooo!
The straight black hair is soo smooth. Just combing it is fun enough.
And for your info, the bundle of hair on either side has its tip gathered and hardened slightly, to give it the feel of the anime, I would assume. So I wouldn't carelessly comb that part if I were you.
The doll comes with a set of uniform, including the summer vest. It also includes the kitty ear hairband too.
Before use
After use
It's so much nicer to display her with Yui.
You can have enough fun playing with Mio on her own, but if you also get Yui, you can enjoy creating a scene of your imagination!
Spot the difference..., shall we call it?
The body is basically the same as Yui from the same series, so this is the result of simply switching heads. I say 'basically the same', as there are very minor differences.
Just look at these gorgeous legs. The left is that of Yui, and the right is that of Mio.
As the ball joint for Mio's ankle has been improved by the use of merge type joint, its easier to accessorize.
This means less incidence of 'damn the foot came off when I put the shoes on!' and 'aaagh the foot came off when I tried to create a pose!' type annoyance, I would think.
Oh and incase you were wondering, the lingerie was a stunning stripes.
But gee, they look like comedians with guitars with just the two of them. Boke and Tsukkomi is the basic to Japanese comedians.
At present, Kotobuki Tsumugi (Mugi) can be pre-ordered and there are other members planned for productions too, it seems, so you could create a band scene! Or gather up
extra parts and even create the afternoon teatime scene!
Lastly, a booklet for 'How to take care of your doll' is included too, although its in Japanese...
It tells you all about how to comb the hair and preservation methods etc, so it's a great help for the fashion doll newbies.
It actually taught me quite a lot too.
They are so pretty, so I would imagine you would want to spend as long as you can with them too.
Right, that's it for today!
See you next time~
By Tomeko, who seriously wish to take home the doll after writing an article about it.
ExTRa!
Switching the body with EX Cute / Secret wonderland Lien.
So very goth maid like? Yeah, think of it as a maid costume version!
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http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/blog/100305
Archives2010-03-05T13:44:02+09:00<![CDATA[Mega Size Model Gundam 1/48 Scale (Gundam Model Kits) in Sugumi]]>Mega Size Model Gundam 1/48 Scale (Gundam Model Kits) in Sugumi,
the way to build a plastic model kit without painting and extra parts.
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http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/blog/1003042
Archives2010-03-04T22:08:25+09:00<![CDATA[Is this a Trend? This topic is a must be discussed!]]>
A train, not one so gorgeous as the bullet train or the limited express, but one people near the rails use every day for commuting to work or school etc, a commuter train that is active everyday.
And that is...
The Tokyu Corporation series 8500 train!
The Tokyu Corporation is a Private rail that has rails in Tokyo and Kanagawa.
The series 8500 is Tokyu's commuter train, which made its debut in the 1975. It is a model change version of the 8000 series, which debuted earlier, designed to ride onto the Hanzomon Line of Eidan Subways (the current Tokyo Metro).
For Tokyu, this is the group with most number of cars produced.
Tokyu has given birth to the fully stainless-steel car trains such as the series 7000, with the technological assistance of an American train maker, The Budd Company. The trains after that series, such as the series 8000 and 8500 are
also made following that path. With that characteristic in mind, the series 8500 was awarded with the 'Laurel Prize' by the Rail Fan Association (Tetsudo Tomo no kai). This was awarded in consideration for the level of technology used as
a commuting type train.
The series 8500 had been deployed mainly on the Den-en-toshi Line, and was also provisionally used on the Toyoko Line at one point. From 2003, they started to be used as a direct-train to the Tobu Isesaki Line/Nikko Line, passing through
the metro Hanzomon Line, and can be seen within the Saitama pref.
A few years ago, repositioning had begun with the release of the new type train series 5000 new. However, in the year 2010 at this point, they are still running on the Den-en-toshi Line and Oimachi Line. Now, with this repositioning,
some cars were transferred to Nagano Electric Railways (Nagano Pref.), Chichibu Railways (Saitama Pref.), and Izukyu Corporation (Shizuoka Pref.). These transferred cars are being modified to suite the environment of each railway.
Also, as a matter which I should especially mention, its also gone across the seas and been exported (transferred) to Indonesia too. They are used as [Express] and Economy AC (air conditioned car) in Jabotabek (term for the metropolitan
area surrounding Jakarta), the trains with higher fare. Apparently it costs about double the fare of the normal economy train to ride.
Right, this series 8500 has reached its 35th anniversary this year, so lets list up the current related products!
[GreenMax]
From GreenMax, a pure series 8500 has been (or partially planned to be) released.
Tokyu Series 8500 (Basic 5-Car Set) (on sale)
Tokyu Series 8500 Middle Car (Add-On 5-Car Set) (on sale)
These two are commonly known as the [Economy Kit Series], practically the same as the general plastic model kit; a model construction kit. You simply assemble, paint, place on stickers/decal etc, apply clear coating, and finish up by
attaching the windows, trucks, power unit, and pantograph for completion. This is categorized as one of the relatively easy kits.
This uses a original style of the series 8500 as prototype. It also comes with the front parts for the series 8000 as extra parts, so you can choose to turn it into either one, depending on how you assemble it.
The pre-colored kits, as they are basically fully painted, you just need to stick on the stickers or decal, clear coat it, then appropriately assemble the parts for completion.
A completed models are planned to be released this time, too, so I would recommend this one if you don't have the time to assemble it yourself.
Oh and for your information, the prototype is different to the economy kit series introduced earlier. They reproduced the cars known as the [Light Weight Cars], produced after the 13th production. This has the technology from the Budd
Company, with Tokyu applying their own original improvements, to make the car lighter.
To tell apart the original and the Light Weight, pay attention to the following:
This is the photo of the actual train on the packaging of the GreenMax Economy Kit Series, but if you look really closely...,
Have you noticed that comparing the two area circled, the shape of the roof (the curve) between the front and back, and the height of gutter is different? If you can tell this difference, you really know your stuff.
So in a simpler term, basically you can tell the original, as it's the one with sharper edge roof. The Light Weight is the one with rounder roof with gutter at a slightly lower position. As you can see, there are changes applied
depending on the time of production.
The Tokyu 8500 series runs on 10-car formation in Den-en-toshi line, and 5-car formation on the Oimachi Line. For example, in the case of Den-en-toshi line, the 10-car formation doesn't necessary mean that all 10 cars are the
lightweights. There are some with the few end cars, starting with the leader-car, to be the original, and has the lightweights in between them to make up the 10-car formation.
For those that like to enjoy the N-scale with specific numbered formation, the coexistence of the original and lightweight is something very deep. At present, in the year 2010, there are around 20 series 8500 running in 10-car formation,
and with each having a variable make-up of formation; you have to research on your own if you want to replicate the formation to this extent.
So with this in mind, those who already had lightweight cars, the announcement for the release of the series 8500 Light Weight Cars by GreenMax must have made their day.
[Tomytec]
There are some Tokyu series 8500 that had been transferred to local railways, and in the Railways Collection, the Nagano Electric Railways 8500 series and Chichibu Railways series 7000 are scheduled for release. A customization for it to
be able to run on a 3-car formation has begun on the actual train, with customization plans for it to run as single car train, and also to be able to run in the colder environment.
The Railway Collection Chichibu Railway Series 7000 (3-Car Set)
On the other hand, the Chichibu series 7000 had its stripe color changed, with semi-automatic door button installed etc, with obvious difference from its time at Tokyu. Also, the first formation to be made in the Railway Collection is a
mixture of the original car and the lightweight car, so you will have the chance to show off your knowledge.
[Amagi Modeling Idea]
Parts created to combine the former Tokyu series 8500 (which had been transferred to other local railway like the previous Railway Collection) with the GreenMax Economy Kit have been released by Amagi Modeling Idea.
Chichibu Series 7000 Non-penetrating Front Parts Set
The second formation of Chichibu Railway series 7000 has a middle-car that has been attached with the driver's room to be used as the leader-car. This set comes with the distinctive flat front parts.
Nagano Series 8500 Non-penetrating T6 Formation Front Parts Set
Within the Nagano Electrical Railways series 8500, the 6th formation (Formation T6) is a distinctive formation with a middle-car reformed for use as the leader-car. At a glance, it's quite similar to the normal leader-car of series 8500,
but there are slight differences such as the removal of the Operation number indicator.
[Bandai]
Tokyu series 8500 has been appeared again in the popular B-Train Shortie Series, after a long time. This is very much recommended for those who want to easily get a hold of series 8500 to play with.
B Train Shorty Tokyu 8500 Series (2-Car Set)
This is a pure Tokyu series 8500. looking at the prototype, it seems they have modeled this one after the original type. As a B-Train, this is a 'return' after several years.
B Train Shorty Tokyu 8500 Series -Summer of Izu Color-(2-Car Set)
Within the Tokyu series 8500 for the Den-en-toshi line, there are 3 trains with special decoration, and one of the three is this 'Summer of Izu'. Just as the series 8000 that had being transferred to the Izukyu, the same Hawaiian Blue
stripe had been used. The formation number is called [8614F], and is it's first time to be released in B-Train.
*I'm sure there are many of you that already knew this, but this 8614F was the formation that could be seen (slightly) in the episode 11 of [Lucky ☆ Star]
**Also, the same colored series 8000 exists in Jabotabek, but this is due to it becoming a 'Summer of Izu' during its time in the Toyoko Line, and was sent out with that coloring.
Sorry for the article being a bit long, but as each company is turning this series into models, I say you should check them out too!
Soldier 1: "This stupid stand doesn't stabilize at all! Oi! 2!
I'll hold it steady, so you load the
shell" Soldier 3: "............" Soldier 2: "Roger that! 'm not sure bout the direction you insert the shell,
but its this way, right?" Soldier 1: "Oh doesn't matter, just get it done! Hurry Up, the enemy is advancing!" Soldier 3: *Why do I get the feeling I won't make it back alive...?*
errr... I apologize to all the Military fans and people of Tamiya, Im Sorry!
Whenever I see a package of army men figures like this, a weird switch inside me gets turned on... Yup, Gabas here good evening!!
Today, we will take a look at those we cannot go without in a Military Diorama, the Tamiya Military Miniatures and FineMold Soldier series!!
We just class it as Soldier series, but there is actually quite a variety there.
Like the German Army, Soviet Army, and US army etc...
Those that just have the carrying rifle and soldier, like the one below,
Those with Anti-Aircraft Guns etc,
Motorbikes,
and scenery sets are all in this category too!
And they each all have individual expressions too!! ...
BUT,
The content...
They need to be glued and colored!!
However, if you construct it and color it properly,
you can create an artistic work like this!!
wow... the military model pros are just AMAZING...!!
Gabas doesn't do anything more than Gundam models, so I don't have confidence enough to say I can make one at this level, but I
think I could make it if its just the construction...
errrr... what about the painting? Gabas, aren't you gonna color it?
Gabas: I shall politely refuse.
But it is a necessity for making a diorama, so it might be good to challenge it sometime!
Right, that's it for Tamiya Military Miniatures and FineMold Soldier Series introduction!
See you all next time~
By Gabas
...
......
.........
conversation between a soldier and their superior
Soldier 2: "Hey..."
Soldier 1: "Yeah?"
Soldier 2: "Horses are out of fashion these days, aren't they?"
Soldier 1: "...yeah..." *stares into the distant sky*
There are many stations and places with complicated kanji names, but this one is a rail line with a complicated
kanji name.
Now, regarding where about it runs,
Please take a look at the map below.
It's in the Yamagata prefecture.
Between northern Yamagata to Aterazawa, a local line that runs approximately 24km.
All the trains started at the Yamagata station on the Ou Main Line,
and the ride goes from Yamagata to Kita-Yamagata to Aterazawa, for ride duration of around 40mins.
Now, to explain why it's called the Fruit Line,
there are homes to fruits such as cherries and pears along the rail line,
so the nickname was given with that reasoning.
Speaking of fruits and imagining so many of them around lunchtime,
I can't help but getting hungry.
But this Fruit Line/Aterazawa line is planned for released in N-scale,
so here is a notification of it!
This is the Miyazawa Models limited edition item.
The car type is Kiha 40 series 500, painted with Aterazawa coloring.
The colorful triple triangles and the three thin stripes are the distinctive characteristics of the Aterazawa
coloring.
The Kiha40 series 500 were running on the Aterazawa line up til around 1993.
As the Aterazawa line had been generally running on 2-car formation, the model comes as a 2-car set too.
The prototype model has the JR logo on it, so I guess the setting of this model is post localization up to 1993
ish, I would think.
As it's a 2-car formation, you can enjoy it even on a small layout.
The scenery of a suburban city station that has bullet trains start/ends, such as the Yamagata Station, with
mountains in the distance joining, and the local line running through the fruit fields spread wide, on its own,
as well as the bridge over the Mogami-river etc, there are many distinctive scenery you could recreate on your
layout. How about it, why not try that out?
The bridge at Mogami-river had been built in the Meiji Era,
and is apparently a very valuable [Warren type Truss Bridge].
As this item is the Miyazawa Model limited model, there is limit to the number produced. So I'm afraid I have
to inform you that the purchase limit of this item is 1 per customer.
So I recommend you to reserve yours fast!
By the way, out of the active Kiha100 series on the local lines of the JR East,
the Kiha 100 series with length in the 16~17m class, they are generally colored in white and light green.
However, the cars stationed on the Aterazawa line are equipped differently.
The series title is Kiha 101 series, and the coloring is white with sky blue.
This is a rare diesel car that you can only ride on the Aterazawa Line.
By Kapinozuka, who mentions that Gabas will be blogging after this.
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http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/blog/100303
Archives2010-03-03T11:49:56+09:00<![CDATA[A pleasant extra]]>
Roku here.
The overwhelming model design is impressive, but I just love the fact it comes with extras to display as well.
It's well worth your money.
For Roku, who just likes extras (too much...), the house and horse is very happy extra.
The Face hugger that comes with Alien is a very nice extra too, I say.
This is slightly different to extras, but the Revoltech series Motonari Mori
Was there really such weapon, seriously?
Apparently it's the [Ring Blade Supreme Illusion]
I used Tira on Soul Calibur (which we unfortunately don't have products for), so I couldn't help reacting
to it.
Yes, you're right.
It's a very trivial topic.
Anyway, that's it for the intros of new Revoltech products.
For those of you interested in the latest Revoltech, click Nowa above!
By Roku, whom just had a hangover in a long time... woke up with a headache and felt sick. And was clothes-less
for some reason...
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http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/blog/100302
Archives2010-03-02T15:30:38+09:00<![CDATA[Little Girls, are sometimes all right, Right?]]>
Lets ignore the earlier sentence.
I think we shall have a look at the Hobby Search Limited Edition product today. Yes, lets.
these two color variations, but I thought I will use this opportunity to introduce the Hobby Search Limited Edition item, the Critical version.
It's a Hobby Search Limited Edition product.(Emphasize)
Right. This Ymir here is one of the few rare characters in the Queen's Blade series, which tend to have a high ratio of large breasted characters, to have a
flat chest.
No, wait! Here, we will regard it as [modest], yes. Much better.
Then again, her appearance is clearly that of a child...
...
...what, shes actually 70? Right then, so there is no problem, as she is apparently mature. (huh?)
She is not a little girl
Ymir this time is made with plenty of Kaitendo's specialty, the candy resin.
The candy resin creates that beautiful luster, full of dreams and hope.
Unfortunately, we can't show you images with too much showing, but the back is a part that I personally recommend. With the scapula unseen, the flatness really
gives a lolita feel to it. tehehe...
This may be off topic, but this white Ymir has a pose slightly different to the other two.
The left hand at her hip is one of the differences.
......and as a second recommendation point, I will mention the posing of her fingers on the left hand, and the silkiness of her glove.
This also goes for the other two, but the boots are made to look pretty sturdy.
It could be metallic or pearl + clear coating I guess, but its very smooth and shiny.
Plus, the magical diagram area of the stand base is mirrored, its rather gorgeous I have to say.
Aaaaaand!
The magical diagram is of different color, depending on the version!
The normal Ymir (1st attack) and black Ymir (extra attack) have the black diagram above, but the white Ymir (critical attack) has a white diagram drawn.
The gauntlet on her right arm is of the same material used on the boots.
The combination of a little girl + Hard-out weapon makes for a very nice picture, don't you think?
Lastly, here is the front-on angle of her beautiful smile.
Each of the drills (hair rolls) has been carefully painted individually.
......so yeah.
The original Pink version is very nice, and so is the black version with the goth feel,
But as one of the Hobby Search staff, I will highly recommend the white Critical Attack Version.
oh, and also note that our white version is currently on sale at 20% discount!
Right then, thanks for reading, see you next time!
By Tomeko, who mentions that the clothing might... come... off...
(on sale)
Tokyu Series 8500 Middle Car (Add-On 5-Car Set)
(on sale)
Tokyu Series 8500 Den-en-toshi Line 5-Car Set (Add-on 5-Car Set, Assemble Kit) 
Tokyu Series 8500 Den-en-toshi Line Standard Formation Set w/Motor Car (Basic 4-Car Set)
Tokyu Series 8500 Den-en-toshi Line Middle Car for Add-on (Add-on 6-Car Set) 
