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These days there is a lot going on regarding Japanese-outline railway models. Many new models are released or announced by the manufacturers. This page lists the most recent and most important developments. This page is updated from time to time and only announcements of new items are included. No information is given on delays, availabilty and pricing. Please check at the manufacturers' retailer's or distributors' sites for further details. Photographs on this page are by NGI of RC-Awaza and usually size-reduced, unless stated otherwise. This page does not claim to be fully complete, please check manufacturer's or dealer's sites for more complete information.
June 2010
I've added an article about using the iPhone as a model railway controller.
February 2010 November 2009 Late August 2009
Last weekend the annual JAM exhibition was held at Tōkyō's 'Big Sight' venue. All major manufacturers had stands there. Over the last 10 years the JAM has developed into the major show in Japan when it comes to railway modelling. I've made a JAM 2009 show report, which also covers the Shizuoka and Matsuya shows.
On the Web I've found a nice little application for those who own both an iPhone (or iPodTouch) and an ESU or Märklin CS1 DCC/Mfx central controller: TouchCab, which turns your iPhone (or iPodTouch) into a loco controller. More information at TouchCab
TouchCab turns your iPhone into a loco controller (photo: TouchCab)
Early June 2009
Well, the Shizuoka Hobby Show was held about 2 weeks ago (May 14th to 17th 2009, first 2 days trade only), with loads of new items. Tomix showed a real surprise: a very detailed model of the C57 passenger steam loco in N-scale. The model has see-through wheels, the motor hidden in the boiler and a high level of detail. As usual, Micro Ace had the largest number of new models. Please have a look at the 2009 Shizuoka Hobby Show report page for details. DCC news: a group of 13 european DCC manufacturers have decided to co-operate on technical standards that would result in better interoperatability and easier to use devices. One of their goals is to co-ordinate in new technical developments. See 'Railcommunity' for details, website is still under construction (June 1st 2009). In the german N-Bahn magazine I've found a nice tool: LED-illuminated tweezers, sold by a german company named Moree, who offer many more LED-equipped things, like illuminated furniture.
Illuminated tweezers (photo: Moree)
Tomix news: KiHa 52 single-car DMU in 3 versions, this will be a 'High Grade' model. More 20 metre coaches: SuHa 32, SuHaFu 32 and MaNi 36 types, these will match the type 61 coaches that were released earlier this year. 165 class EMU, also a 'High Garde' model. Many of the Tomytec 'Diorama Collection' buildings will be re-released, many in new different colours. Really new are the horses that match the racing horse carrier truck of the 'Truck Collection Vol.5'. Also new: apartment blocks in several varieties, these unspectacular buildings will surely add flavour to your layout.
KiHa 52 DMU (photo: Tomix)
New 20 metre coaches (photo: Tomix)
165 class EMU (photo: Tomix) 
Horses (photo: Tomix)
Micro Ace: Re-release of the 200 class Shinkansen, in ivory / green livery. New: 10 class passenger cars. These will come in 2 different sets, both sets include mail vans. These sets will match with a EF58 or EF57 electric loco. EMUs: 113 class comuter EMU, with 'Green' car. 413-100 and 475 class EMUs in white 'Town' livery as used on the Hokuriku mainline. 183 class express EMU in red/cream livery, with 'Azusa' markings. More re-releases: the 'Pashina' and 'Asia' streamlined passenger trains that ran in Manchuria, China, Tobu DRC1700 express EMU with 'Kegon' and 'Nikkō' markings. More news: Nankai 6100 and 7100 class commuter EMUs, Tobu 8000 class commuter EMU, JNR EF57-1 and EF57-7 electric locos, 789-1000 and 785 class express EMUs from JR Hokkaido, 209-500 class commuter EMU, D52 class steam loco, ED17 and ED vintage electric locos.
Micro Ace: 200 class Shinkansen and 183 class 'Azusa' (photo: Micro Ace)
Type 10 coaches (photo: Micro Ace)
475 and 413 'Town' EMUs (photo: Micro Ace)
785 and 789-1000 JR Hokkaido express EMUs (photo: Micro Ace)
EF57-1 and EF57-7 electric locos (photo: Micro Ace)
Nankai 7100 commuter EMU and Tobu DRC 1700 'Kegon' express EMU (photo: Micro Ace)
Kato: Nothing spectacular, just re-releases and boxed sets made up of models that were released earlier: E4 'Max' Shinkansen, 'Hokutosei' Blue Train, E233 commuter EMU in 'Chuō line' livery, 'reefer' express freight train, EF66 electric loco, KiHa 58 DMU, 113 class commuter EMU and a Hankyu 6300 EMU. Finally: the KSW type german tram from Hanover that now runs in Hiroshima.
'Hokutosei' Blue Trains (photo: Kato)
E4 'Max' double-deck Shinkansen (photo: Kato)
E233 commuter EMU in Chuō line livery (photo: Kato)
Reefer express freight train (left) and Hankyu 6300 EMU (right) (photo: Kato)
'KSW' type tram, as it runs in Hiroshima (photo: Kato)
Late April 2009
It has been some time ago since this page was updated for the last time. I have added a report of the 2009 Nuremberg Toy Fair. A report on the 2009 Intermodellbau Model Show at the Westfalenhallen in Dortmund can be found here.
Kidsland show
A show to promote the products of the main manufacturers. This year it was mainly Tomix and Tomytec that had new products on display. Tomix shoewd several blue trains, which will come in several commemorative sets. The same applies to the Meitetsu Panorama 7000 set, a train which was also withdrawn from service in early 2009. The long-awaited canted curve sections will come later this year.
Tomix @ Kidsland show. Blue train carriages and matching locos: EF66, ED76 and EF81
More Tomix: Meitetsu Panorama 7000 EMU, EF66 in JR Freight livery, canted curve sections.
Micro Ace: Almost too much to mention. It seemed that Micro Ace had more new models on display than all other exhibitors together...
Micro Ace @ Kidsland 485-1500, front view of 485-1500, 223, DMU, EMU and Tokyo Waterfront Railway commuter EMU
Green Max: Hankyu (left) and Meitetsu (right) EMUs
Kato @ Kidsland: EF58 electric loco, EF64-1000 electric loco, E127 commuter EMU, E3-1000 Mini-Shinkansen
Kawai coal HoKi 10000 coal hoppers
Modemo: Eidan light rail cars, Hakone Tozan mountain train, Tokyu Setagaya line tram car
Tomytec: Aichi Loop Railway EMU, Race horse transporter truck, small trucks and fire engines.
Tomytec: Trailer collection 3
Tomytec announced a 3rd Trailer Collection, which includes 2 heavy load transporters, the yellow one is used to take Shinkansen cars from the workshops to the tracks. These transports are usually by road and sea..
October 2008
DCC News: UK manufacturer ZTC has ceased their business. It's a pity that ZTC's controllers in their sturdy steel cases (with "Real Feel" controls) will not be available any more. ** Update ** The ZTC range has been continued by SBX Model Rail. SBX will provide further support on ZTC products. See the SBX website for details.
September 2008
Retailer Japan Model Railways have set up a seperate page on the Tomix Fine Track sectional track system. Available in both English and German at http://www.finetrack.de. New models too, and Micro Ace has most new items as usual.
Micro Ace announced the following: DE10-1049 (wasp-striped handrails), DE10-1548 (colourful 'Joyful Train' livery), JR KuMoNi 143 single-car EMU, JR 123 class 2-car EMU, 'Dr. Yellow' 922-10 Shinkansen test train in both early and late varieties. Kintetsu 8000 class commuter EMU in 2 varieties. Odakyu 8000 class commuter EMU, Keikyu 1000 class EMU in 3 varieties, including a nice red/yellow livery, JR 113 and 115 class commuter EMUs. Finally: Keio 7000 class, Keikyu 2100 clas sin both red and blue liveries and a re-release of the 'Ginga Tetsudou 999' sets.
Tomix announced: ED75 AC electric loco in the new more detailed range (2 varieties), a logical sequel as Tomix already made the closely related ED79, which is a rebuilt ED75. Futher news: various new versions of the EF66 DC electric loco, the N700 Shinkansen, 400 class Yamagata Shinkansen, new 4-wheeler freight wagons, add-on airconditioning unit for EF66 locos, JR-West 583 class sleeper EMU 'Kitaguni', JR-West 321 commuter EMU, DD51-1000 diesel locomotive, EF65-1118 in red 'Rainbow' livery, 0-2000 class Shinkansen, type 61 passenger cars and finally a 20C type container. Most models have been announced earlier.
Well, that's all folks! For more information see the manufacturer's web pages. Those can be reached from this page.
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