Finally...
At last! The B Train Shorty is mine!
It's my beloved Tobu Series 8000, just released recently!
* B Train Shorty Tobu Railway Series 8000 (New Paint) (2-Car Set)
I fell in love with B Trains at first sight at a model railroad event. They're 1/150 scale N-gauge size, but slightly compressed lengthwise, hence "Shorty."
I guess you could call them the Nendoroids of model trains!
So, I'd like to try my hand at building this along with Nendoroid Petit Miku!
Now... Here are the tools I dug up from the depths of my home... And cement, can't forget cement...
Are you ready...
Ready, sir!
But wait-
A message from a B Train expert.
You can make B Trains without glue.
You can make B Trains without glue.
You can make B Trains without glue.
(echo)
What you say!!
So yeah, hey there everyone this is Tominon the super plastic model novice!
You only need plastic cutters to make a B Train... I had no idea.
Things were off to a rough start, but I gave it my best!
First, the front car.
These are the runners for it.
If this is all of it, maybe I can do it...!
The instructions say...
[1. Make the chassis]
Right, right! The chassis, of course! Gotta start with the chassis! Like I didn't know that!
Yeah, the chassis, the thing with the flux capacitors and all!
...What's... a chassis......?
But it's okay if you don't know the jargon! All you have to do is follow the diagrams!
According to the drawings, these black objects are used in building the chassis. Sandwich the wheels between the top and bottom parts and link them up.
Completed. Reminds me of mini-4WD.
Next!
Put those little wheel things onto this base part. Be careful not to mix up the front and back of this.
And they're together! It's getting more train-like... or rather, skateboard-like!
[Attach the reliefs]
What's a relief...
According to the instructions, the grey wheel part things are called the reliefs.
Be sure to put them on right! (I accidentally put one upside-down here...)
Attach!
Now the chassis is complete! Apparently B Trains today are more realistic than they were before.
[2. Construct the body]
Cut out the black blocks and the clear window parts.
Carefully, though... They look like they might snap...
Attach the blocks so the bumps point downward.
Push it all the way in until you hear a snap.
It was pretty tough, so I had Miku lend me a hand (hair?)
Once you have both blocks on, put on the [roof part] and then the [connecting parts].
Next, the sides! I really like these Tobu colors. It's so nice how they're prepainted.
To recap, it goes [roof] -> [connecting] -> [side].
Click.
And now, the moment you've all been waiting for, the front parts!
This kit came with four faces. You can choose whichever you like!
I choose you!
And we can't forget the skirt.
Put the two rods through the holes...
Combine! We're almost there! All that's left is the chassis...
The front car is done!
Aww yeah! I'm getting pumped! It's so small and cute!
[3. Construct the middle car]
Now we move on to the middle car! Let's make the chassis just like the last one.
It went faster than the first! I didn't even have to look at the instructions!
Oops... That's not the right hole... orz
...But it's easy to fix...!
Next, the roof!
I put a pantagraph on the middle car!
As before, it goes [roof] -> [connecting] -> [side] for the build order.
The roof is a little hard to get on so it required the help of two.
Miku:
Almost there!
Rin:
Don't just stand there, help!
There are four connecting parts you can pick from as well.
I chose the one with pipes. Apparently you put the piped one on the pantagraph side, and the pipe-less one on the other.
The sides!
Rin/Len:
All aboard the Kagamine train!
There's a front and back to the sides too. I hope I got it right...
I wasn't sure so I checked the package.
If it's going left... It doesn't look like I got it right...
Yeah, this is wrong... Oops! I'll fix it later!
(I got the front car right somehow.)
Mistakes and all, the body is complete! Nendoroid Petit size!
Put it on the chassis...
Wow!
The middle car is finished!
[4. Attach the linking parts]
Put a dummy coupler on the very front, and magnetic couplers (or the drawbar) on the others.
This is what the magnetic couplers look like.
The drawbar looks like this!
With the drawbar, the cars are closer together and look more like the real thing.
And finally, put on the decals to your liking and...
It's finished!
Yes! It's done!
A sense of accomplishment and fulfilment washes over me! Oh B Train you're so cute!
So in the end, even a complete novice like me was able to finish this kit.
It was actually my first time with decals too, but with a little searching I was able to find out how and get it on right.
This is definitely recommended for those who are looking to get into plastic model kit making.
How about a nice kit for these long autumn nights?
Here, have
list of B Train Shorty kits.
And that's all. Thanks for sticking with all of this! See you next time!
- Tominon
BONUS:
I had Vegeta drive.
Vegeta:
Back off, this train's coming through!!!