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Japanese Z-Scale - Where is it currently?
2010 2011 2012 update continued |
Here are the first pictures showing preproduction model in grey and first
mold shot in white and Eisen-Platz car floor with operating trucks. |
There is a new player who has proposed to produce this year an "O"
series Shinkansen in Z. F-Toys is producing a static model 1:220 for
6.5mm track and Eisen-Platz is going to provide the parts required to
convert the static model of an operating model. Here are some shots
of what is proposed from the Shizouka Show May 17&18 2010 in Japan.
Finally delivered in mid 2011 with parts to upgrade to operating
model in September 2011. |
 
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This shows the proposed power car set up for being able to see
through the car over the power unit. Train will be capable of
operating on R195mm minimum curves. So won't run of Pro-Z diorama.
Delivery they say will in the fall0f 2010 of and no price break
is known as yet. The delivery of these conversion parts has been
long delayed but they are now available from hobby Search on pre
order starting April 18th and delivery is scheduled for June 1011.
The static model was sold in the corner store like the first
release of the RealZJ 485's and was sold by hobby Search as a 10
piece box in October 2010 and is currently dold out (April 2011). Initially Platz will sell an upgrade
kits to convert the static model to operating model and eventually
they will offer a fully assembled model. Platz are offering grey
roadbed track to simulate the concrete rail system of the Shinkansen
with power plug and play cords for work with Rokuhan and Crown (PRMLoco)
controllers and it is available for pre-order from Hobby Search
starting April 18th 2011with delivery in June 2011. Track appears to
be Han Lok product (Rokuhan) |
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Platz is also working with Micro Trains and I am not sure just what
the relationship is but here they are marketing the Micro Trains
Track and they are showing a Japanese style power feed track and it
is only 55mm long so a new length for the track system. The power
lead looks to match the existing PRMLoco and earlier RealZJ power
packs and track as well. Platz has also shown a new version on the
"O" series Shinkansen with green window band and it was
delivered as a static model in August 2011. They are showing a
starter set of track with controller. Have not seen any complete
Shinkansen sets offered as of Fall 2011. The Platz chassis and
power unit have provision for interior and head and tail lights but
non were included with first offering of these upgrade parts |
August 2010 Hobby Search was taking advance orders for the static model
for delivery in late October. Platz is to follow with kit to convert
static model to operational one on 6.5mm track. These uograde parts were
delivered in Sept 2011. It created a great running model of "O" series
Shinkansen
watch video here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmbJiJR8Iwo |
There is another player who announced their involvement in Z in
Japan just before the Shizouka Show but were not present at the
show. Only Crown a.k.a. PRMLoco, and Eisen-Platz were showing Z, Tokyo
Marui the parent of Pro-Z was there with their guns and other models
but no Z on display. |
Visit
Rokuhan.com
Final design of
Controller is set and due for delivery end of Nov 2010. I can be
connected to a wall transformer (not included) or it can be powered by
AA batteries(not inlcuded) inside the controller box.
113-1000 lead car, C62 4-6-4 Steamer
DE10 diesel C-B, DD51 Diesel B-B-B
station and platform
2 types of trees and 10 types of cars
 Here
we see the latest track display.
Notice the new curves 245 x
30 degree and 270 x 30 degree and the bumper track .
SO complete range of curves from 70mm to 270mm
 The
final on the switch L110 (R470mm x 13 degree) showing R490mm x 13 degree curve to bring alternate route parallel
to the main. This curved track is not included with the switch and has
to be purchase separately nor is one length of 110mm straight as it is
with Micro Trains Switches. I am not sure if this will
change for North America or not at present. A smaller switch is coming
this fall. L55mm R126mm 26 degree left and Right.
Picture of station and extra platform proposed by Rokuhan
Here is the proposed new turnout from Rokuhan coming this fall.
 L55
(R126mm x 13 degree) and they have the R126mm x 13 degree curve to go
with it and a straight L55 with power feed point. Also a new curve R70 x
45 degree. See the video of the new Flex track coming from Rokuhan item
three in the right column opposite.
Fookey is Japanese for buildings Here are some pictures of their first
designs.
additional turnout control switch(see notes in right hand column
 
Also Coming this fall is their R016, flex track(this is the first
time we have seen a flex track design in roadbed track) in lengths of
330mm. and finally their new wider radius curved tracks They are R014,
R245mm x 30 degrees, a R015, R270mm x 30 degree and a very small radius
R013, R70 x 45
curved turnouts 30 degree R195 and R220, Not pictured here are the new
curves R195 x 30 degrees and R220 30 degree curves to go with the curved
turnouts.
click the image below for full size view
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This add-on or additional turnout control switch which can be added to
gthe existing unit C002 in multiples or added to the Rokuhan power pack or
powered from the AC accessory terminals of
most North American power packs or a Rokuhan wall transformer so
lots of options for controlling those Rokuhan turnouts including the
new L55 turnout.
The announcement on www.rokuhan.com
from the company called Han Lok a new company was set up in April 1,
2010 by a group of techies and they say they have no distribution
set up so initial sales will be direct and via the internet. They
have pictures of their rail system with is a copy of the roadbed
type track already released by Micro Trains, Crown and RealZJ and includes
switches that are a copy of the Micro Trains ones but with under the
track switch machines. They say they will offer curved track in 45
degree segments starting at R95mm and every 25mm up to R220mm. So
this covers the whole range of track from Pro-Z as well as MTL,
RealZJ and Crown plus adds two more smaller radii at R95mm and
R120mm. In addition to the R490mm x 13 degree switches that copy the MTL
product they are developing other switches.
The track is to be released in Nov/Dec 2010 and will be fairly complete
selection with switches R490 only to start.
No date for other versions. The controller will be released in Nov/Dec
2010 and their first train set in early in 2011. Latest news is the
change from scale 1:200 to 1:220 has delayed the delivery of
the first train set.
July 2010Update.
Rokuhan is developing two larger radii also now in 30 degree
increments 245mm and 270mm as well as flex track with a length
to be determined. The power pack has been redesigned
to eliminate the PWM and will be straight DC at approx 10vdc. I know Rokuhan has been talking with people in North America about
distribution of their track initially. Whether that will lead to
other things at this point is not known. My best guess is late 2010
or early 2011when we see the track, switches and power pack. Not sure when
we will see the first train sets come out.
Rokuhan have released three YouTube videos the first showing their
switch in operation and the second showing their track system with
various equipment operating on it, and the third showing the first
look at their flex track.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csp6CLnmdPk&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjkO4xUKZU0&feature=player_embedded#!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Y2Vvs9wmsE&feature=player_embedded
Complete track system should be on sale in Japan November 30th. On
March 23 2011 Rokuhan announce their North American distributor will
be Intermountain Railway Company of Colorado. The new track line
should be available for distribution to their dealers in May of
2011. They also announced their distributor for Australia and New
Zealand, and onn April 26th, 2011, Rokuhan announced Noch will be
their European Distributor .
Here is video of new curved turnout from Rokuhan. This is in design
and testing stage no delivery date or price as yet but R195mm to
R220mm curves.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8mXRvuFUbE&feature=player_embedded
Here is a link to their latest video showing their new turnout
control switch which can be a stand along item with its own AC
supply from either a wall transformer or the AC accessory terminals
of an existing power pack or controller such as Those of Marklin or
Micro Trains, or can be added to the stand alone box or added to the
Rokuhan C001 Controller.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99mWu3Fdi2g&feature=player_embedded
Here is the conversion piece from Rokuhan which wll allow you to
connect none roadbed track to Rokuhan road bed track.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fA_Oho74Dk&feature=player_embedded
new products being released in late July in Japan by Rokuhan, so
should available in North America in September
The Additional Turnout Control Switch can be added to the existing
Rokuhan power pack or train controller unit p/n #C001 and C002 in
multiples or powered from AC accessory terminals of
most North American power packs with an accessory cable from Rokuhan or a Rokuhan wall transformer so
lots of options for controlling those Rokuhan turnouts including the
new L55 turnout. Coming also is their flex track in lengths of
330mm. and finally their new wider radius curved track in 30
degree increments They are R245mm and R270mm and a very small radius
R70 x 45 degrees.
Not
included in the photos are the crossovers 13 degree and 90 degree.
Rokuhan has introduced their new insulated rail joiner and manual
reverse loop controller. Here is a link to the video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRsw1zVlTyI&feature=player_embedded
 The
first of the scenery offerings from Rokuhan Tree variety pack coming
winter 2011/2012 |
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Rokuhan has introduced the new 90 degree crossing in Japan Dec 2011.
The image to the left shows the required track pieces to
complete a figure eight layout for each of the radius Curves they
produce. The box at teh bottom of the image shows what pieces are
required for the "A" section in the diagram to complete a figure "*"
layout using Rokuhan Track. The part number for the 90 degree
crossing is R025. The newest piece of track is the 25mm straight
required to complete many of he Figure "8"
layouts. It is part number R030 comes in a pack of 4 pieces as many
designs require 4 pieces to complete. In addition, you may need a
55mm straight piece also, part number R008 already released
and comes in a pack with 2 pieces. R030 was release in Japan
in Dec 2011. |
http://www.rokuhan.com/news/2011/09/post-71.html
Rokuhan announces 50 series passenger cars used mainly on diesel lines in
Japan
Series 24 passenger cars of JR West
http://www.rokuhan.com/news/2011/09/post-68.html |
Rokuhan starts Inter modal containers and container flats.
http://www.rokuhan.com/news/2011/09/post-70.html
http://www.rokuhan.com/news/2011/09/post-69.html
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2012 |
New Viaduct system coming from Rokuhan along with pier set
to get to viaduct and new track feed to fit on viaduct track
and to fit between two parallel main lines at 15mm spacing
something the current A001 can not do.
www.rokuhan.com/english/news/2012/01/viaduct-under-development.html
www.rokuhan.com/english/news/2012/01/piers-under-development.html
www.rokuhan.com/english/news/2012/01/piers-under-development.html
pier set is 4% ramp but it still takes 1.1 meters of track
to rise to 40cm. look for these items in late summer and
early fall 2012.
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