Switching Into a Higher Gear

It would seem T Gauge may be starting to hit a stride. Either that, or Eishindo is doing all of this just for the fun of it. May will mark the release their next wave of trainsets, the Hankyu 9000. Also in the works, according to Garth Hamilton, who has been kindly translating Japanese blogs, is a model of the 40 KIHA. This is a diesel-powered, double-ended unit, similar in concept to the American Budd railcar, which can be run in single- or multi-unit trains.

Future developments are even more exiting, and include two major surprises: 300 mm lengths of flex track, and... drum roll, please... turnouts! I can't wait to see how they're going to pull these off. Stick around—T is getting more and more interesting!

As an aside, T Gauge has been nominated for a toy innovation award at the 2008 Nürnberg show.

T Hits the Internet

Hobby Search in Japan is now accepting reservations for T gauge trainsets. Delivery is expected in April (Hobby Search ships worldwide). The first wave includes the following basic 103 Series four-car sets:

• Osaka Loop Line
• Fukuchiyama Line
• Hanwa Line
• Kansai Main Line
• Chuo Line
• Sobu Line
• Keihintouhoku Line
• Yamanote Line
• Jyoban and Narita Lines

As yet there are no track/throttle sets listed. So, unless you absolutely must have the trainsets right away and don't mind paying additional shipping for the track later, you may as well wait until the track sets show up. Information will be posted as I receive it.

With thanks to Bill Robb at Yahoo Japanese-Z-Scale for the heads-up.