New Arrivals from Hobby-Search

[Super]

Continuing the discussion on Hobby-Search and Tokyo-Hobby, here are two packages that just arrived from Hobby-Search...I know...Super why didn't you combine the shipping to save? I would have but since the Twilight Express was pre-ordered last December for a Feb release and that release being move to March and then finally releasing in April I had no idea when it would be released as the same time as Streamlined Thomas and Shooting Star Gordon and I didn't want them to be held until the Twilight Express was released until who knew when. Both boxes are the same sized with added filler. Packed like all my purchases from Hobby-Search and nice boxes to re-use.

The contents of Thomas and Gordon are reserved for the 'Future World' collection and remained sealed. I am not sure what I am going to do with the Twilight Express as you know I was gambling on this being the new Mizukazi version. The train looks very nice through the package and I liked the idea of the retractable front hook and real Drumhead. My only drawback is the too wide of grey area on the lower part which is much wider than the other 3 releases of this train which I like better. For now I will leave it sealed in case it ends up on Ebay.

[ripley802]

Nice looking items there Super..
Yes that's how the Steam Thomas arrived with the Pink paper. I guess for me I was sort of expecting bubble wrap maybe for EMS shipping. This is how all of my FromJapan auctions shipped with EMS arrive.

Tokyo Hobby through eBay is a good option too if you (like myself, Muddy, and some others) who missed the pre-order and then they were out at Hobby search.

[Super]

Yes, Japamart is the same way. No matter how small the individual items are, they either leave it in the Sellers bubble wrap or re-wrap the items with their own bubble wrap. So much bubble wrap that I haven't had to buy any to ship my Ebay sales for a few years since I have been buying from them. The only difference is, at least from Jauce, is they don't charge me any extra. And the boxes they use are heavy duty, thick, grade with cardboard that seems like a quarter inch thick on the bigger boxes. Maybe I am exaggerating a little and maybe such heavy duty boxes add a lot more weight and cost to the packages but better a few more dollars than damaged goods.

I got my stuff from Hobby Search yesterday but haven't been able to open the box yet because the kids are always stuck to me like glue! I think the Easter Bunny is bringing streamlined Thomas as a gift to my son and I'm almost tempted to keep Gordon for myself! I keep thinking he'd make a great Southern Pacific 4449 in her Freedom Train livery. Not a perfect model but more a tribute version inspired by the prototype.

Then again, I *DID* buy him for my son....

[Super]

Good idea, my vote goes for you making (for your son) the Southern Pacific 4449 Freedom Train. All you would need to do is deface him with one of those odd looking silver smoke box doors.

Good idea, my vote goes for you making (for your son) the Southern Pacific 4449 Freedom Train. All you would need to do is deface him with one of those odd looking silver smoke box doors.

Oh sure, just encourage my evil plotting against poor, defenseless toys! The major hurdle is of course the distinctive smoke box face. I don't trust my rusty modeling skills enough to build one from scratch and it hasn't proven easy to find a separate part in HO scale so far.

[Super]

That shouldn't be too hard for you. Just buy a regular HO parts Smoke Box door, then with the help of some styrene tubing make the two light shrouds and paint it silver. Then, why you are at it, install a grain of rice 1.5 volt light in each tube for a beautiful detail. We will expect to see the finished product by...what...this Sunday? That should be enough time....can't wait to see it.