New? Small Mechanism

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Is this a new thing?

https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/11083813

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[MK]

Not really.  When I was in Japan, the hobby stores have TONS of this stuff.  All at reasonable prices and full dimensional specs listed.

One store I went to in Osaka has a wall full of this stuff.

[garethashenden]

Those wheels 

[Jim Starbuck]

Those wheels 

The wheels are intended to use a variety of inserts making them adaptable for many models. I used printed crank inserts for siderods on a project a couple months ago.
They worked nicely and with a little NeoLube the rims and flanges look fine.

[peteski]

And if someone objects to the flange size, they should be able to file them down.  We have done to older Arnold and other models.

[MK]

I was able to dig up this photo from 2023 from Joshin Super Kids Land in Osaka, Japan.  Memory escapes me but I think this one is HO scale based on the "HO" in the model number but I'm not sure.  What I am sure about is that there were TONS of N scale available.  Just look at the blurred background.  That entire wall of pegs were loaded with these kits.  Single drive, double drive, horizontal motor, vertical motor, long chassis, short chassis, etc.  It was a tinkerer's dream!

In Japan, these are mainly used for small brass kits (shunters, etc.).  At the time my store basket was filled to the brim else I would have just tried a simple kit.

Maybe this time when I go back again in the Fall I will pick one up just for fun now that I'm a bit more savvy Japanese hobby store train shopper. 

[brill27mcb]

These Aru Model (or N-Goya) drive units have higher-speed, lower-voltage motors, so are best limited to about 4.5 to 6 volts. There are also similar power units from Tsugawa (TGW) that have 3 volt motors. They are useful tiny little drive units, but probably not best for locos pulling consists. I use them for trolleys.

Rich K.

[Chris333]

Not new, but that price is good:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/315411049863

http://www.narrow-garage.com/Arumodel.html

[mmagliaro]

ARU seems to make a LOT of these (they are plaza japan, among other sites), some with full-on 0-6-0, 0-4-0 and 0-8-0 driver setups (chassis, drivers, cylinders, and rods).
What nice scratch-building components!   The gear ratio is listed on some of the ones like Ed posted and they are around 45:1, which is
nice.

[Dirk Jan Blikkendaal]

Also check Toma Model Works in japan.... making an excellent N scale super slow drive with adjustable axle spacing...... cheap....
A little more expensive are drive trains from Halling Modelle in Vienna Austria. Excellent quality.
in both cases shipping is not too bad......... .

[nickelplate759]

I would think that these little, slow-speed drives, someone could make pretty-much-to-scale N-scale B&O Docksider.
That would be cool!

Both the Bachmann and Rivarossi versions are WAY too big.

[sirenwerks]

These things fit the bill for Japanese modelers, and are made primarily for propelling the plethora of available unpowered MU passenger equipment and streetcar kits.

[Doug G.]

The wheels are for if you get hungry while modeling and you can order up a Dominos.

Doug

[Ed Kapuscinski]

The wheels are for if you get hungry while modeling and you can order up a Dominos.

Doug