Hi Steven, I was there from 2.30 the crowds were just thinning out after this time, I collected some HOA hoppers and having some issues with couplings coming apart when going round corners at the moment, liked your video coverage of the event.
Hi Graham, yes the crowds were rather big in the morning. We queued for about 45 minutes to get in. I swapped my hoa couplings for hunts magnetic couplings, it's definitely worth the money to do that.
JAPAN MULTIPLE GAUGE POSSIBILITIES !!!! The Japanese layout "Ishinaka" (23:22 onwards) is amusing, as many different gauges are used in Japan. With 3ft 6in gauge being the most common, including the ex National Railway network. Whilst ALL Shinkansen lines (Bullet trains) use Standard 4ft 8.5in gauge !!! But there are also 4ft 6in gauge networks (Keio Railway, Tokyo Region) & even a Large Railway Company (The Kinki Nippon or Kintetsu for short) using three different gauges 2ft 6in, 3ft 6in, & 4ft 8.5in within the one company in the Osaka to Nagoya Region !!! So obtaining the right stock for a layout can become complex ! Despite the fact that the Four Largest model Railway Manufacturers in the World are ALL Japanese (Tomix, Kato, Micro Ace & Green Max), all of which have GIGANTIC N scale ranges with catalogues of around 300-500 pages. Indeed OO/HO scale (Japanese 1:80) comes a poor second, with only around 10% of N scale sales. Due primarily to the small size of houses. There are also at least a dozen smaller N scale manufacturers of Japanese outline, some specialising in specific eras. Such as Modemo with N scale "sets" of period steam era coaches. Indeed by far the largest segment of the main four ranges involves complete EMU's, literally hundreds of them. Each of which comes in a beautiful "Book Set" popper catch lid case (about A4 size). Designed to fit on your bookshelf !! MIND BOGGLING TECHNOLOGIES INCLUDED ! For Brits the problem will be discovering the mind boggling technologies hidden in these models. Such as "Frictionless gearing" (NO lubricant necessary as they have Teflon coated nylon gears meshing with a machine polished brass worm gear). Clip out Quick Clean motor bogies (Gently press bogie to one side & roll out of the chassis gently, to avoid snagging the sprung pickups. A Tomix speciality). 5 pole SKEW armature high grade powerful motors, often with DOUBLE flywheels (Ultra smooth). Mechanisms in Multiple Units hidden below the interior seating (normally in intermediate vehicle). Auto self uncoupling built into most locos (requires a tiny little square track magnet to actuate). Illuminated ROTATING destination blinds on many EMU/DMU models (turn tiny screw under cab to select the relevant destination blind). Traction tyres normally fitted to two wheels in locos & Multiple Units. (These fit in precision grooves in two wheels). Headlights/Tail lights have been standard since the early 1980's. Probably the most astounding fact is that in Japan you can buy locos for around £40. And complete multiple units of up to 11-12 vehicles for around £150. All due to the GIGANTIC quantities made on the latest computer controlled tooling. Indeed in Japan there are in excess of 12 Million regular N scale customers. Which is over 3 times more than the Whole of the rest of the World in all scales up to O gauge combined !!! Literally Rolls-Royces at Ford Prices !!! ALL their Models will run happily on Peco flexitrack.
@@StevenHughestransportvideos I was the person who started the Japanese Railway Society back in 1991. Which you can find today on the internet today. I acted as the Editor for the Societies quarterly Magazine, & then followed that up by starting JR Model Supplies (Imports/Wholesale/Retail business).I later sold JR Models to a German member in Hagen, who I think still runs the business. There was also a Japanese specialist model shop in Wellington Somerset. I left Britain in 2006 (being an ex BR Engineer to work overseas). Now retired.
@@railwaymechanicalengineer4587 fantastic, I do wish our UK manufacturers would make things to Japanese standards for a similar price. I guess it's a case of investing into the risk as it would require larger volumes as you said earlier.
@@StevenHughestransportvideos Not yet enough customers, despite the fact the Model Railway market in Britain has expanded by 250% since Hornby discovered the Sandakan plant in Hong Kong back in 1995. But Hornby then left the door open for all the other manufacturers, who now make British outline to jump in & grab much of the new market. Also being Commercial Companies, they won't give you all the extra's, until the British customers become aware of what's possible, & start nagging them at Trade Fairs !!!! Don't forget I was able to start my large Model shop & sell loads of Japanese outline, at a time when Hornby produced toy junk, & only had 2nd Class Bachmann for competition. NOTE: Dapol do provide scale working Buckeye & Scharfenburg couplings in some of their British N scale models. Which I showed Dapol at the Chippenham show back around 1998, & put them in touch with Tomix the manufacturer !!! Further it is highly unlikely ANYONE in Britain will EVER be able to do what I did, & import DIRECT from the Japanese manufacturers, & retail in Britain at the Japanese retail price. Because you have to understand Japanese Honourable Business Culture to open that door !!!
