Howard models - US only sales Ben, Some of us in the DC Z-Bend Track group are probably going to do a combined order. If you want some of these, let me know and we could transship them to you in Canada. Randy
Wow great! but how do you manage a combined order? meaning payment and all? I would definitally go for the 1/20"=1' (1:240) Parking Lot Mix (15 pieces) at $21.00 Ben
Basically, our local Z scale group will get together on orders like this that have a minimum order or have high shipping costs and place one consolidated order. Since we are all in the same general area and meet periodically, we just pay whoever placed the order (usually either me or Bryan). I'm sure we could work out something with you for payment and postage to Canada. We've ordered from SeaRails and Full Throttle this way. I think Dan Stirpe already has some of these cars and said they were pretty decent, but not his chosen era. Just talked to Bryan, and he will put this order in soon, so I'll PM you with contact info. Let us know if you want to do this for sure and we'll put the order in. Randy
I have about 40 of the Howard Models vehicles and they are great. Easy to paint and the Dodge Rams are my favorite. Great for the era I'm modeling. Joe
Howard Models is obviously making these in house... might be worth approaching him for exact 1:220 size vehicles. The patterns are probable SLA or RP of some sort that is just scaled for each of his current offerings, so it wouldn't be any more design work to do 1:220.
Mike, Yes, Howard Models has said they could do 1/220 fairly easily but wanted a minimum order of something like 1000 units. Someone, I think maybe John Bartolotto, had contacted them about this a year or so ago. I believe they actually have a license from Daimler-Chrysler for these so they are nice accurate models. Randy
I went with the 1:240 and am very happy with that size. I would be interested in being part of the group that goes for the 1000 min buy if more people are needed to order the 1:220.
Hello folks; Well i'm just getting caught up on this thread, and thought i might add my two cents... After looking over the various links posted, I too am excited about T scale. The smaller the bettter. The tech that will come from something even smaller than Z will only help Z scale get what the big boys have quicker!!! If they can make moters for locos half the size of Z then we are not long away from a Shay, as others have said. Zn3 and mine trains will open Z scale up to even more posibilities. The growing acceptance of Z scale as a true and real contender with the big boys is happening every time a Z club shows up at a train show. Look at the folks in the crowd at the recent Cali show that the Bad Bay Area Zers attended. Brads volcano was a huge hit. So a new small scale will be kit bashed by pros as soon as it lands in the USA. How cool!!!!! I for one can't wait to see the pictures posted of what Robert will do with T scale. I will stay in Z, because as i get older and my eye sight begins to fail, i'll want to see what i spent all these years collecting and working on.LOL..LOL Tony B....
I've heard from different places a DEC 2006 or an early 2007 release date. There are rumors that some samples may already be available in Japan. Nothing reliable yet that I've seen. I would suggest keeping an eye open for updates on Garth Hamilton's www.Nn3.ca website on his Japanese Z page. Garth found these for us and seems to have the most up to date info. Randy
If it were April 1st... I would have to think that this was a hoax. The first picture apparently show an unpowered unit (since one can see through the windows). My first thoughts are... what is being used to power such a miniscule model train? If one can build a 1/450 scale (3mm guage) model... why aren't we able to get N or Z scale small steamers powered with the motors used for these new "T" scale engines at a reasonable price? It is facinating that something this small is actually powered.
Thy might even just be using 3mm or 4mm pager motors. They won't pull much but can cost as little as 99 cents. Never could find any info on what voltage they were using. thant would give a little hint as to the motor. Randy
In Japan and had my Japanese "language instructor" look this up on Japanese Internet. The company is based out of Osaka and appears to be legit. They are still saying a December release. She will probably call them for me tomorrow and find out what hobby shops in Tokyo area will have them available and exact date if possible. Having looked closely at the pictures, this reminds me of the ZZtrain set I have. As mentioned, price is $45 for the controller and track set and $45 for train set itself. I will wait until I can see it in action before I jump on it. As far as voltage, no idea. My ZZtrain Narita Express set (which is either run or stop with no in between) runs on 1.5V LR44 battery using a cell phone pager motor. The ZZtrain is a novelty, but it is interesting that the detail on the set is surprisingly good. Should probably send Bandai an email asking them to make some true Z scale freight and passenger car bodies. Ja mata (see you later)
Thanks very much Bill for the update. Keep us posted. If you find any, would you be willing to ship some to the USA for some of us? Have you seen the Akia ZJ (1/220) trains? The second release of those is supposed to be out but availability in the USA seems to be non-existant (and no responses to emails). Thanks, Randy Smidt
Hi Bill, I hope you can get the trains, and hopefully ask the manufacturer how we can get them in the US? I have the ZZtrain Narita Express set also, and it looks good enough, but the battery and one speed keep me from enjoying it, which is why I like the idea of the T Scale set better. With a seperate power pack it means that we can control the speed, and the trains are more fun. I hope they make these trains available to us, even if there is no power pack available for the US market, as we can build our own.
It could also stand for tweezers! LOL With a seperate power pack that would make the TT set very fun and would make it usable on a lot of layouts as a stand alone for amusment parks attractions etc on your layouts.
Friend just off the phone with the T-train company in Osaka. (its noon here) Release is delayed until March 2007. They are planning to sell through some hobby shops (in Japan) and also on the Internet. Once again, I am going to see this running (especially the speed control aspect) before buying. Did a little checking on ZJ. A couple of shops not too far away are listed as selling it. Might look around this weekend. Another see it running before buying.