This was a recent discovery that has me now wondering just how much I may have underestimated and missed with regards to Nomura's H0 toy trains. They apparently put more thought into them then I anticipated.
I acquired a battery powered set that just bore the TN trademark modestly on the side of the box. Not Rosko, not Cragstan. The box looks very similar to many other toy train sets.
The contents are pretty typical of the other Nomura manufactured trains sets - the ATSF boxcar, the NYC gondola, the BO caboose. The track is, of course, the usual tin tubular variety.
The locomotive included in it looked pretty much the same as my previously acquired New Haven one. When I landed this set, I actually wanted just the cars, though the different F7 body was interesting. As my friend Gene pointed out, those Globe/Athearn F7 inspired shells really got around.
Upon opening the set, I discovered that the diesel was actually very unusual. It appears to be a stepping stone from Nomura's earlier tin diesel to their final (?) New Haven unit.
I was unable to clearly see the side frames in the original ad for the set, but upon arrival it was clear that they were not like the very nice ones on the New Haven model. They were simpler, reminiscent of 0-27 versions, in a way. Also, the crew ladder grabs have been terminated at the shell bottom, much like early Varney. While this was probably to allow a wider swing for the power trucks, Nomura's later solution of moving them out slightly was a better solution.
Like the tin version, the Santa Fe model is only powered on one axle.
Any cars that this model could haul would need to be light. Also, you'll notice that brass tab on the Santa Fe unit's tank. I am certain this was for "features", things like whistles, that would be triggered when the locomotive passed over them. A number of model train companies used this.
The mechanism also seem to show the type's evolution.
This is a step up from the earlier tin version. Beneath the gear box in the plastic Santa Fe unit is a larger Mabuchi motor, though I cannot be sure the model (likely an RE-36). The pinion gear on my model broke the first time the model was fired up here. Fortunately, I have plenty of spare pinions and had the model running in no time. The two black boxes are covers for weights, which this model needs every bit of. Also of note is the improved coupler, a hoop type that Nomura had adopted, which are very similar to European H0/00 practice.
I have only just started testing the model. I am sure that it will not pull as well as the later New Haven model, though my future layout will be small anyway, and long trains would be impractical (if not impossible!).
This has me wondering what direction Nomura may have gone in. Was the New Haven model the end of the line for their trains? What about accessories, what did that have?
I'll keeping looking, and when things do show up, I will share them here.
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