2026 JAM convention

[0303fxm]

Movie of French Steam engine 4-4-6.  Ryoichi

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[Spades]

Spades,

Do you mean "Yoku dekimashita!"?  "Well done" In English.   Ryoichi

I was going for: You have skill.

Use to train a lot of Japanese Nationals.  Used 5 phrases 1.) You have skill. 2.) So So  In Japanese or Osaka speak. 3. You have no skill. Never used that. Even if it looked like they were going to alter the shape of the craft and lose some of the big pieces. 4.) Very difficult.  Saved for the owner from Osaka. 5.) Very difficult task. 

[C855B]

Respect! Amazing models of incredibly cool prototypes.

[MK]

This JAM 2026 picture was taken my Yoshihiro Imon of Models Imon, my go to hobby stores when I go and visit Japan.  The 5 times I've been to Japan, it's always a haul from Models Imon without fail!   



Why can't we have shows this big and full of interest in the United States?       

[peteski]

Well the Springfield show (in all the buildings combined) is probably just as large, but this looks like it's just layouts, unlike Springfield, which is model RR industry show with vendors and manufacturers also participating.

[C62-2]

The vendors were down at the other end of the hall. There's a map (in Japanese). Kato, Tomix, Microace, etc. were all there, as were a lot of small vendors. https://kokusaitetsudoumokei-convention.jp/wp/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/c97efe933b3a3b99228d2c056f93bf42.pdf

[Chris333]

Any videos showing new products?

[0303fxm]

Chris333,

Yes, these 2 French engines were fabricated in a year by Mr. Tohnishi (instead of me.)    Ryoichi

[thomasjmdavis]

Movie of French Steam-generated Electric Engine is shown below.  Ryoichi

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Mr. Tohnishi's work is outstanding.   And the steam-electric is such an unusual prototype, that must be one of the very few models of it ever built.  Until I saw the photos here, I never knew such an engine existed.   Thank you for showing us these models.

Why can't we have shows this big and full of interest in the United States?       

In large part because we don't have any cities with 14 million people, or metro areas totaling over 33 million.  The only STATE we have with a larger population than Tokyo's metro area is California.  If everyone in California could make it to a train show in an hour on a commuter train, our train shows would be that big and well attended.

And nationally, I would be surprised if Japan doesn't have more model railroaders than the US.  Certainly more N scalers.

[0303fxm]

Thanks C62-2,

In the convention map by C62-2, you can see A to F blocks.
Block A, B, C and E cover (amatuer) modeler's zone. Block D and F contain manufacturers and suppliers.

The convention master expected the visitors w/ tickets would be more than 30,000 people during FRI to SUN.  Ryoichi

[MK]

One of MANY videos out there of the event.

[0303fxm]

Thanks MK.

Besides show/presentation by modelers and manufacturers the convention had 24 clinincs of various fields in another space for FRI to SUN; such as prototypes, techs for how to model including soldering and layout, etc.  Plus held were some contests for High speed, Dead slow, Traction and Photo.    Ryoichi

[GaryHinshaw]

That's a young and vibrant looking crowd.  Seeing that, it's easy to understand Kato's business model.

[Mark5]

Thank you Ryoichi for sharing this - looks like quite an event! 

[MK]

That's a young and vibrant looking crowd.  Seeing that, it's easy to understand Kato's business model.

It's ANY model railroad manufacturer in Japan.  You should see the young crowds at rental layouts AND hobby stores in Japan.  Sometimes they outnumber adults!     Trains are everything in Japan.