Jump to content
 

Japan in a nutshell


DavidB-AU
 Share

Recommended Posts

  • RMweb Premium

The Series 500 was a high water mark for high speed train design IMO, despite being over 20 years old it is still an incredibly modern and sleek looking train which makes other high speed trains look very ordinary. The fighter cockpit bubble style drivers cab, the car bodies looking more like an airliner than a train, it all makes trains like the Valaro and AGV look very ordinary.

Link to post
Share on other sites

500 series are attractive, no argument there, but I think the E5 and E6 series are the best looking Shinkansen stock. When it comes to special liveries, I think I preferred the 500 series EVA.

 

Cheers,

 

Mark.

 

post-9278-0-13923100-1530195234_thumb.jpg

Edited by dullsteamer
  • Like 3
Link to post
Share on other sites

500 series are attractive, no argument there, but I think the E5 and E6 series are the best looking Shinkansen stock. When it comes to special liveries, I think I preferred the 500 series EVA.

 

Cheers,

 

Mark.

 

attachicon.gifIMG_2089.JPG

 

I managed to get that earlier in the year totally by accident and wondered why everyone was photographing it at every station - and I do mean everyone! Particularly amazed that the front carriage was dedicated to an exhbition about the train and the anime, complete with two members of staff...

Link to post
Share on other sites

I managed to get that earlier in the year totally by accident and wondered why everyone was photographing it at every station - and I do mean everyone! Particularly amazed that the front carriage was dedicated to an exhbition about the train and the anime, complete with two members of staff...

 

The anime involved (Evangelion) has a vast following and let alone the interest in railways is even more so than the UK. Have a search for the UK Class 800s units travelling on transporters from the Japanese factory to the docks. The streets were packed with local people watching and photographing.

 

Nearly every railway company has a mascot, hence the yellow creature above.

Link to post
Share on other sites

I've become hooked on Japanese trains since I got a tablet and what started as a fill in for a Hornby collection has now taken over! It was planned to have 4 trains -- I've now reached 32 of all kinds!

Without Google and YouTube I would never have collected it.

If it moves on JR then it will appear on YouTube seems to be the way of it.

In one word--- BRILLIANT!

  • Like 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Premium

I love the 500 series having travelled on it in Japan. I think they are the best looking of the Shinkansen series .Maybe of late trains are less impressive, especially these duck billed types , although I understand aerodynamically they are better. I’ve never understood the Japanese fascination with cartoon characters. Seems so at odds with what is generally a very serious nation .

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Premium

The thing that always impresses me about the bullet train services isn't so much the speed or style of the trains (though both are deeply impressive) but rather the intensity of service, reliability, the immaculate presentation of the trains and the general feel of quality which to be quite honest urinates over every other rail service I've ever used. There is a precision and sense of in depth attention to detail and quality about it all which I have just never found anywhere else.

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Gold

The thing that always impresses me about the bullet train services isn't so much the speed or style of the trains (though both are deeply impressive) but rather the intensity of service, reliability, the immaculate presentation of the trains and the general feel of quality which to be quite honest urinates over every other rail service I've ever used. There is a precision and sense of in depth attention to detail and quality about it all which I have just never found anywhere else.

 

 

 

Admittedly my experience of living in Japan was in the 70's but when we were there my Father noted that they didn't need to spend large amounts of time cleaning the trains at destination as those using them were clean and tidy and took their rubbish with them. It was an orderly country and mess was frowned upon.

 

When I rode the trams in Nagasaki the driver wore white gloves (as do most when working) and had a real pride, I could never understand how they didn't go black as the control gear was brass but it illustrated just how much everything was kept clean.

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Premium

Indeed, Japan doesn't seem to benefit from the cultural enrichment of "street art" the way Europe does, it's their loss apparently...... People don't leave trains looking like tips and the staff seem to take a genuine pride in being immaculately turned out and the condition of the trains.

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Premium

The thing that always impresses me about the bullet train services isn't so much the speed or style of the trains (though both are deeply impressive) but rather the intensity of service, reliability, the immaculate presentation of the trains and the general feel of quality which to be quite honest urinates over every other rail service I've ever used. There is a precision and sense of in depth attention to detail and quality about it all which I have just never found anywhere else.

It is amazing. People queue on the platform. The train pulls in exactly to the spot , the door is adjacent to the queue. The door opens up and people get in quickly but in an orderly manner . It really is fascinating. Such a disciplined society . Contrast that with U.K. with passengers scattered over the platform.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Kashima Rinkai #6018 with Girls Und Panzer wrapping.

Cheers,

Mark.

I wonder if there is any stock featuring the film 'Battle Royale'.

I know that isn't anime, but what a cracking film!

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Premium

A few years ago Tenshodo produced the Series 500 in HO, unlike the sort of high end brass that Tenshodo are still justly famous for it was done in plastic and made for Tenshodo by Kader. Some sets were even sold via Kader's Bachmann companies. They were very well done but very expensive, to the point that when they were made I remember thinking that at the price wanted I'd rather save and wait for a brass one.

Link to post
Share on other sites

It is amazing. People queue on the platform. The train pulls in exactly to the spot , the door is adjacent to the queue. The door opens up and people get in quickly but in an orderly manner . It really is fascinating. Such a disciplined society . Contrast that with U.K. with passengers scattered over the platform.

 

Indeed. Respect for other people. No talking loudly into cell phones on the trains either. Do another search for Japanese waste recycling - amazing..

You might think the Warley show is busy; have a search for Comiket the huge comic market that's held twice a year in Tokyo. The attendance is 550,000 over three days!

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Just a quick question,I would like to get an n gauge Japanese DMU but not the newer type the older ones it seems a bit confusing as there are lots of add on sets and non powered sets does anyone have a Cat No for a typical powered set and an address of a UK supplier got some kato track and a kato suburban station so just planning a small Japanese layout after watching you tube vids especially the Kominato railway superb stuff ! .... Ta

Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...