Now Take Pre-orders Tenshodo's New C62 Pacific!

Ztrack Center is now taking pre-orders for Tenshodo's all new C62 Pacific steam locomotives. We are anticipating that we will begin shipping these in July. We are taking reservations for the following:

81109 Sanyo type
81110 Hokkaido type - road number 2
81111 Hokkaido type - road number 3
81112 Hokkaido type - road number 15
81113 Hokkaido type - road number 16
81114 Umekouji type - road number 2
81115 Hokkaido JR type - road number 3

Place your orders at:

www.ztrackcenter.com/tenshodo/index.html

Rob

I'm wondering why this is being called a "Pacific." Is it a Japanese-specific nickname? Because in the US, a 4-6-4 is a Hudson; a Pacific is a 4-6-2...

I guess we have Pacifics on our mind.

David K. Smith wrote:

I'm wondering why this is being called a "Pacific." Is it a Japanese-specific nickname? Because in the US, a 4-6-4 is a Hudson; a Pacific is a 4-6-2...

Thanks David, but I don’t believe this should be called a Hudson (a North American nickname), or even a Baltic (the European nickname for a 4-6-4). I’d call it what the Japanese called them – the Swallow or “tsubame”. After all, we wouldn’t want to confuse people into thinking this is a North American locomotive.

Zcratchman_Joe wrote:

David K. Smith wrote:

I'm wondering why this is being called a "Pacific." Is it a Japanese-specific nickname? Because in the US, a 4-6-4 is a Hudson; a Pacific is a 4-6-2...

Thanks David, but I don’t believe this should be called a Hudson (a North American nickname), or even a Baltic (the European nickname for a 4-6-4). I’d call it what the Japanese called them – the Swallow or “tsubame”. After all, we wouldn’t want to confuse people into thinking this is a North American locomotive.

That's why, if you'll notice, the advertising literature refers to it as a "Hudson style" locomotive. It isn't a Hudson, of course, but the name will immediately conjure the proper image in the minds of those familiar with the American naming convention, whereas "tsubame" (or whatever) is meaningless to most Americans.

David K. Smith wrote:
...whereas "tsubame" (or whatever) is meaningless to most Americans.

Exactly. As are Japanese locomotives. Meaningless, that is... to "most" Americans that don't have the extra cash to be "collectors". My point was, that a newbie to model railroading, seeing Hudson "Style", might think this is an American locomotive. An expensive mistake on their part. Possibly not even using a nickname and having it listed as just a 4-6-4 could have been the way to go for this Japanese loco. I don't even know why the word "Hudson" was used. If one is savvy enough to know what a Hudson is, then they would be just as savvy enough to know what a 4-6-4 is. And I’m hesitant to use the word here as I really don’t wish to sound accusatory, but it seems a bit more like a marketing ploy to me... but that's just me, I guess.

Joe

Wow Joe, you are on to us. Using a more 'American' terminology to sell products to the US market. How dare we! Pure evil at best. I would think it obvious that these are Japanese and not American. In light of the hundreds of D51 Mikados we have sold, and no one confused these with US locos, I think we are safe that consumers are smarter than you imply. But if anyone bought one thinking it was American, and was disappointed, we would gladly take it back. We stand behind the products we sell.

Now let's take a different approach. How about being happy that a Hudson style steam locomotive is on the Z market for less than $150.00. I think that is worth talking about. For someone like you that has brought up pricing more than once, you should be pleased by this. Frankly, these locos are in a price point that folks can buy them just for the chassis. How soon before we see a real Hudson shell on one of these chassis? Think of the possibilities...

Now back to my evil marketing and trying to bring more Z scalers into the fold with good products...

Rob Kluz
Ztrack Owner and evil genius

Zcratchman_Joe wrote:

David K. Smith wrote:
...whereas "tsubame" (or whatever) is meaningless to most Americans.

Exactly. As are Japanese locomotives. Meaningless, that is... to "most" Americans that don't have the extra cash to be "collectors". My point was, that a newbie to model railroading, seeing Hudson "Style", might think this is an American locomotive. An expensive mistake on their part. Possibly not even using a nickname and having it listed as just a 4-6-4 could have been the way to go for this Japanese loco. I don't even know why the word "Hudson" was used. If one is savvy enough to know what a Hudson is, then they would be just as savvy enough to know what a 4-6-4 is. And I’m hesitant to use the word here as I really don’t wish to sound accusatory, but it seems a bit more like a marketing ploy to me... but that's just me, I guess.

Joe

If a newbie does not understand what "Hudson" meant, then the wheel arrangement is about as meaningless to them. Those who do know what "Hudson" means, however, will also see "Umekoji" associated with the model and realize this is not an American locomotive. As for making an "expensive mistake," I'd agree if they read "Hudson" and read nothing else associated with the product; but in that case, the mistake is on their shoulders. And, it may in fact not be a mistake; they may simply like the locomotive and want it; there is nothing wrong with that. (I have three of the Mikados.)

As a point of fact, it's SOP for modelers (and even 1:1 railroaders) to refer to locomotives of particular wheel designations by their American nicknames, regardless of their country of origin. Why? It's merely a custom. Hudson = 4-6-4; Pacific = 4-6-2; etc. It is most definitely not a "marketing ploy," so I'm afraid it's just little old cynical you. (winkies)

Dear evil genius,

I guess I am very prejudiced in that I do not care for the look of those locomotives, even though Karin bought one and it does run very nicely. I sure can't fault the Japanese's efforts to produce a fine running steam loco.

I'll just hold on to my dollars a while longer and stake my bet on what Hans will hopefully release from AZL.

I'm really looking forward to seeing samples at NTS in a few days. I like the looks of NA steam locos, so here's hoping Hans can come through and tease my eyes and empty my pocket book.

Beauty is definitely in the eye of the beholder, and yes, in this case I am very prejudiced.

Loren

Beautiful ad John and Rob should be very appealing to the eye, of the uneducated on steam engines and that is what matters to those who are not educated on Steam Engines it says it all and there is enough information there to lead the uneducated on steam engines to ask questions about it origins.If this engine is anything like it's Mikado cousin the D51 should run like a dream.

tealplanes wrote:

Dear evil genius,

I guess I am very prejudiced in that I do not care for the look of those locomotives, even though Karin bought one and it does run very nicely. I sure can't fault the Japanese's efforts to produce a fine running steam loco.

I'll just hold on to my dollars a while longer and stake my bet on what Hans will hopefully release from AZL.

I'm really looking forward to seeing samples at NTS in a few days. I like the looks of NA steam locos, so here's hoping Hans can come through and tease my eyes and empty my pocket book.

Beauty is definitely in the eye of the beholder, and yes, in this case I am very prejudiced.

Loren

Yes, Loren, you are horribly and hopelessly prejudiced. Shame on you. In truth, I'm not in love with non-American prototype steam, either; the "beauty" I see in these models is their extraordinary value. Who would think that products of such quality could also be so affordable in Z Scale? They are marvels of engineering and put Märklin to shame. Consider: their valve gear is properly articulated, whereas every Märklin steamer has had the same hokey-looking one-piece thingy, and for twice as much money. Kudos to Tenshodo for making it happen, and to Rob et al for bringing them to our shores.

Marketing ploy... ROFL.

John
www.ztrains.com

Ztrains wrote:

Marketing ploy... ROFL.

John
www.ztrains.com

Joe

Rob... you think YOU'RE pure evil genius? What about my ploy to get people talking about these beautiful locomotives. HA on you! Actually the “marketing ploy” thing… well, I meant to say it “sounds like” a marketing ploy I’ve seen used elsewhere to sell things NOT that your words seem like a ploy. I apologize for the misunderstanding. I believe that your words do, in fact, describe a 4-6-4 loco. However my OCD forced me to mention the Japanese nickname if only because there IS one.

Further, I absolutely KNEW the second I replied to David’s post that the “Hudson” would hit the fan, so to speak, and that people would start talking about the new Tenshodo. I was right… people are talking, and the loco is being promoted. From what I’ve heard elsewhere, it’s a fine running loco and a good price. Can’t beat that. And wasn’t the real 1:1 loco a record breaker in speed way back when, and still holds that record? I’ve already heard the rumors of some NA loco shells being either designed or almost in the design stages for being made in resin by ??? (I didn’t catch the name). And we got to know the Japanese nickname of Swallow or “tsubame” for their 4-6-4. We got to know that the Hudson was called a Baltic in Europe (France I think started it) and we refreshed our memories of other types of locos.

Although my OCD still keeps me cringing at the use of the name Hudson, my job is done here. And you’re welcome

PS Mr. Kellett, perhaps you could change the title of this thread to read “Now Taking Pre-orders Tenshodo's New C62 Hudson", instead of Pacific. After all, we wouldn’t want to confuse people.

Joe

www.tenshodo.co.jp/models/product/release/z_c62/tabid/369/Default.aspx

here is the update on Tenshodo's web site and show some more pictures. Hokkaido types with a snow plow below the pilot.

David K. Smith wrote:

Yes, Loren, you are horribly and hopelessly prejudiced. Shame on you. In truth, I'm not in love with non-American prototype steam, either; the "beauty" I see in these models is their extraordinary value. Who would think that products of such quality could also be so affordable in Z Scale? They are marvels of engineering and put Märklin to shame. Consider: their valve gear is properly articulated, whereas every Märklin steamer has had the same hokey-looking one-piece thingy, and for twice as much money. Kudos to Tenshodo for making it happen, and to Rob et al for bringing them to our shores.

Spoken truthfully David. Anyone faulting the Tenshodo is not thinking clearly and your comparison with Marklin drives the point home perfectly.

Awhile back we bought Marklin because that was all there was.......well, times are different now and I think collectively we couldn't be happier. I wish the Challenger, C12 and GS3s and 4s had been injection molded for a price break and more would have been purchased, but the lack of weight would have been a hindrance to sales as they wouldn't have pulled much. The C12 isn't a hefty puller as it is, but oh my, she sure is a pretty thing.

So yes, thanks to Rob for bringing the Tenshodo to us here in the US and also to Hans and Rob A for continuing to come out with more NA steam. More NA steam is something I can get excited about knowing that the price tag will be more to all of our liking.

We are rich in our options compared to 2004 when I first jumped into Z scale.
It just keeps getting better and better. Now if our incomes would just do the same our smiles would be broader and more frequent.

Loren