Hi Funderland,
I just chanced upon this. Not sure if you remember me, but i bought some N-scale flex about a month or 2 ago. Anything new or interesting on the "N" side of things?

--
Eric

[quote=mrave07,Jan 26 2013, 10:49 PM]
[quote=mrave07,Jan 24 2013, 01:13 AM]
My New Layout 7 x 11

FreightLiner

http://youtu.be/QM5pwvNr6-U
Bachmann Class 37 DCC Sound

http://youtu.be/YJ-ym5KOGQI

[/quote]


Gosh.. 7x11.. i noticed it's enclosed by walls. Don't you have reach issues?

Cool. I notice a ROCO DCC.
Lots of cars. Nice layout for running trains. Any plans for switching operations?

more info at http://www.opsig.org/reso/ops101.shtml

Here's a link to some updates on my layout:
http://www.nscale.net/forums/showthread.php?27888-The-JDS-RR

Yep, unlike most of you, I'm an N-scaler. it's all about going BIG by going small..

Here's a few links:
http://flic.kr/p/dQTo6s
http://flic.kr/p/dQMN7D

not quite sure what you mean. The layout sits on styrofoam on top of plywood. Mountains and elevations are stacks of styrofoam, carved and sculpted with plaster of paris. Train stuff (locos, dcc, cars, structures) are from all over.. local shops (3 in KL), online stores (hobbysearch japan (http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/rail/), modeltrainstuff (http://www.modeltrainstuff.com), Eurorail hobbies (http://www.eurorailhobbies.com) & Modelbahn (http://www.modellbahnshop-lippe.com). on top of that, whenever i travel i make sure model train stores are on the intinerary..

As for an intro..
I'm Eric from TTDI, KL

This post has been edited by starfeesh: Jan 30 2013, 04:45 PM

well, the 3 shops i go to are:
Dai Kong - Jalan Choo Cheng Kay (near Dewan Bahasa) - Primarily Roco HO
Truly Trains - USJ9 - Marklin dealer
Funderland - Paradigm Mall - Roco HO / Fleischmann

Having said that, my primary supplier i will have to say is Modeltrainstuff.com.

That's nice modelling. What scale static modelling do you do?

HO or 1/87 scale in Malaysia is fairly limited to European trains. Personally, i think Marklin are exceptional in detail and efficiency but damn, it's pricey.
The Brits (mainly Hornby) strangely prefer slightly larger models, although roughly equivalent. For example, many will say OO (which is mainly UK) is the same as HO, but in reality OO is 1/76 as opposed to HO's 1/87.

Likewise for N scale, in UK, it's 1/144 as opposed to most of the world's 1/160. In Japan, you have a mix of 1/150 (*predominant & mainly metro trains) and 1/160 (mainly for the Shinkansens).

All fairly/roughly equivalent, but i'm certain like me, to a scale modeller like you, it's a significant difference.

American locos, you're fairly out of luck in this region. When I was in Shanghai and Beijing, I tried to look for the Bachmann showrooms since they're manufactured in China, but the shops relocated and i could not find where they supposedly moved to. Unless someone can prove me wrong, your only choice is really online.

Buying online is really not as bad as a lot of people think. With a trusted pay system, such as Paypal, it's fairly secure. The issue i mainly face is shipping cost. From Hobby Search Japan and Modeltrainstuff in US, the shipping is fairly reasonable. I choose non-expedited shipping since i'm in really no hurry to receive them. Japan being closest takes around a week, 2 max. Shipping from Canada and Europe has been the costliest in my experience.

Tax wise, i'd say 85% of my shipments have made it through without customs intervening. I've been taxed twice, but i'd put that down to the total cost and size of the shipment which i suppose drew their attention. Anything below MYR400-500 in parcels no larger than 2'x1'x1' seems to be fine.

http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Bachmann-HO...p/bac-00647.htm non-DCC but at USD54.99. Can you imagine buying a starter set anywhere in Malaysia for that price? mind you, after the initial poison... you're hooked for life.. and the costs skyrocket.. DCC controllers, more tracks, more cars, scenery.. it's never ending.. and at HO scale, you've also got size working against you.. you may need a new room..

enjoy.. it's an awesome hobby..
--
Eric

Nice. That's an awesome number of locos and cars (rolling stock) you have.

This post has been edited by starfeesh: Feb 15 2013, 12:48 PM

I think you're out of luck. I've not come across anyone stocking Kato or other Japanese branded train models in Malaysia.
I get my Japanese models from Hobby Search (http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/rail/). It was decently priced until the recent MYR currency weakening.

Hi Jimmy,
I'm envious. I was in Frankfurt earlier this year with my family and we loved it. My son loved all the trains and trams. But our holiday schedule meant i missed out on the model trainstores as by the time i had time to check one out near the train station on Saturday afternoon, it had closed for the week and I was flying back the next day. Nevertheless, i managed to visit enough of other model trainstores elsewhere, e.g Mainz, Koln.

On the other hand, i have sort of neglected the model railway aspect lately with a new addition to the family, but have been starting to get things back up again. I do not have a blog, but i do keep photos and such around. Will take some new shots and share them on here again.

My layout is a freelanced mix of German & Japanese trains. Am looking to mix in some Americans, but have not gotten around to ordering some Kato. I run DCC and use Fleischmann's Multimaus and have been looking at getting the Z21. It's an L-shaped 3m x 5m layout.

--
Eric

I buy online regularly. Unless it's a really large consignment or the packaging is huge and the value well above MYR500 you should not attract Customs tax. Having said that, I bought the Nozomi Shinkansen 500 4-car and the 8-car add on (http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10049766) for over USD200 and it came over without any additional tax. When I got taxed, it was usually when the packaging was fairly large. My experience from buying from Germany, Japan, Canada and US have been very pleasant and do not usually attract additional tax.

--
Eric