Its is not unusual to see foreign (i.e. non USA) trains on our rails but a train is a train, is a thing of fascination. And what could be more foreign that Japanese prototype models on an USA style layout in Australia. Most modellers have an interest in the real thing whether they follow it or not. The pictures and text on this page show Alvin and John Kathages' fascination with the Japanese prototype. Alvin has made a number of trips overseas to chase trains in both Japan and USA. Along with other members of his family, he also chases the local Queensland Railway. This seems only natural since they work for QR and get the inside info. Alvin & John have an extensive collection of Japanese models and photo below proves it (ed).

The Japanese Train Lineup

Alvin Kathage 1998

The trains in the picture above are as follows, from left to right:

Kintetsu Rly class 21000 "Urban Liner"

The Kinki Nippon Tetsudo (Kinki Japan Railway) or Kintetsu is a standard gauge private railway serving Osaka, Kyoto and Nagoya. The 21000 series Urban Linertrains operate an hourly extra Limited Express service between Osaka and Nagoya taking 2hrs and 5min for the 190km journey.

Japan Railways East class 253 "Narita Express"

These extra fare, all reserved seat trains began running in 1991 between Tokyo and the city’s international airport at Narita 79km to the east. The half hourly service takes 1 hour from Tokyo and 1hr 30min from Yokohama, where most trains commence from, some trains also split at Tokyo with the second portion serving Shinjuku in the western part of the city. Interior decor includes an illuminated map showing the train’s position during the journey.

JR East class 251 "Super View Odoriko"

These trains provide Limited Express service between Tokyo and the coastal resort of Shimoda 167km to the south, the last 45km of the two and a half hour journey is over the private Izukyu Railway. The trains have tiered theatre seating in upper level of the double deck end cars giving first class passengers an excellent view ahead, and have been in service since May 1990.

JR East class 211 interurban EMU

These Electric Multiple Unit trains, introduced in 1985, operate outer suburban services on the north - south main line through Tokyo and as far south as Nagoya. Most sets based in Tokyo now have at least one double deck first class car.

JR Hokkaido "Big Sneaker/Furano Express"

This four car diesel multiple unit train was built in 1986 at Naebo Railway Workshops in Sapporo, and runs between that city and the ski resort town of Furano, 138km. The train was at one time called the "Big Sneaker", but is now known as the "Furano Express", onboard catering includes such delicacies as corn or potato flavoured ice cream.

JR Kyushu class 787 "Tsubame"

These 1993 built trains work on the island of Kyushu, from the city of Hakata down the west coast to Kagoshima, 317km. The 9-car trains make the run in an average of 3hrs and 50min, although an overnight run, the "Dream Tsubame" takes 6 hrs. In the past the trains also ran to Nagasaki and down the east coast to Miyazaki, but are now confined to the Kagoshima run.

JR East class 400 Shinkansen "Tsubasa"

These Shinkansen, or bullet trains, were placed in service in 1992 when the Ou Line, branching from the main Tohoku Line at Fukushima 272km north of Tokyo was converted to standard gauge as far as the city of Yamagata. The "Tsubasa" completes the 360km trip in 2hrs and 30min, coupled to a 200 class Shinkansen on the main line section. There are at least ten different types of bullet trains in service apart from the familiar blue and white "Bullet Train" known outside Japan.

JR East class 200 Shinkansen

These bullet trains run on the Tohoku Shinkansen north from Tokyo to Morioka, 535km, completed in 1982, the fastest run, "Yamabiko No.1", taking 2hrs and 26min, stopping only at Omiya and Sendai enroute.

Odakyu Rly class 10000 "High Super Express"

The Odakyu Railway is a private 3’6" gauge system serving the area to the southwest of Tokyo. The 10000 class HiSE (High Super Express) eleven car articulated trains were introduced in 1987 on the 88km run from Tokyo's Shinjuku station to Odawara and Hakone-Yumoto, a mountain resort area southwest of Tokyo. The trains are known as "Romance Cars" because of the 2x2 seating.

JR Central class 0 Shinkansen

These trains were the first Bullet Trains introduced in 1964 between Tokyo and Osaka, the line since being extended to Hakata on the island of Kyushu. The 0 class was constructed into the 1980's, with the older units being retired as they wore out due to the stress of continuous high speed running in excess of 200kmh. The remaining sets work all stations "Kodama" services while newer class takes over the "Hikari" expresses, some older units have been reformed into six car trains for local services on the western end of the line.

JR Central class 100 Shinkansen

The first of these trains were built in 1985 for use on the crack "Hikari" expresses on the Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen line from Tokyo to Hakata. They now work most trains as the top runs have progressively been taken over by the 300 class "Nozomi" trains since 1994, which cover the 1175km from Tokyo to Hakata in five hours.

JR East class E1 Shinkansen "Max"

The double deck Multi Amenities Express trains were introduced on the Tohoku and Joetsu Shinkansen lines from Tokyo to Morioka and Nigata. The 12-car train carries 40% more passengers than the normal 12-car bullet train used on these lines and has a top speed of 240kmh.

JR East class 351 "Super Asuza"

This tilt train built in 1995 operates between Tokyo and Matsumoto, 225km, in 2hrs 37min over a curving mountainous route. At Matsumoto the 12-car train splits, with 8 cars continuing 70km to the mountain resort town of Minami Otari. One of these trains was involved in a collision with an empty suburban train, which ran a red signal at Otsuki in western Tokyo injuring 61 people on 12th October 1997.

JR East class KIHA 110

These single car railcars were introduced from 1985 and have replaced many older cars on country branch lines in the eastern part of the main Island of Honshu. Variants include the KIHA 111/112 class two car sets.