TOMYTEC The World Bus Collection - technical review

[tehachapifan]

You are asking to compare the level of detail?  Didn't the dozen or so photos with both models side by side clearly answer the question of which model is better made and has better proportions and details?  I thought the photos made this clear.   If not, the text of the review clearly stated my opinion on which model is better.  If you missed it, maybe you could reread the initial post.    Not trying to be cheeky, but the question you asked is answered in the initial post....

I think he was asking about the WOT bus.

Nice write up, though! Would love to have a powered unit but can't figure out how to rig return loops for the bus to run on my streets (in addition to the task of running and burying the tracking wire).

[thomasjmdavis]

Peteski,

I was indeed asking about the Wheels of Time bus (and how it compared in terms of appearance).  Essentially wanting to know if I could put it on the same street with one of these without it looking bad.  Although a Mack v GM, it is more comparably priced to the Tomytec and to my eye, also superior to the CMW.  But my CMW models cost me something like $3 each, so I am fine with them occupying space in the background.

I will have my own opportunity to compare the WoT whenever my Tomytecs get here.

I appreciate your review.  I'm starting on the design of a new layout and am now seriously considering allowing for moving buses.

Tom D

[brill27mcb]

On the earlier Japan-prototype buses by Tomytec, the amber LED blinks when it passes over the speed-changing magnet that you can place on the underside of a roadway piece. These magnets toggle the bus between "fast" and "slow," so you can place one ahead of a bus stop and one after the bus stop to smooth out the abrupt speed change a little. The blink, visible from the outside of the bus if you look for it, lets you know the bus is detecting the magnet and responding. You do have to be careful whether you set the bus down on the track within or outside of the intended slow section, or it will toggle backwards from what you want, speeding up within the bus stop area and slowing down for the rest of the trip.

It's too bad that the Tomytec design for the intersection roadway pieces and bus rapid transit set pieces are designed strictly for left-hand side of road operation. I would think a little forethought by the designers could have made it convertible to left-side or right-side operation.

I don't think they thought to do this, because they did not intend to offer right-side, non-Japanese prototypes. It's my belief that this bus body and powered chassis (and a special right-side operation pull-off bus stop) were done by Tomytec specifically at the request (and maybe funding) of Walthers. That may be why it's exclusive to Walthers and not seen in Japanese markets.

There is much more info on the earlier Tomytec Moving Bus system on the specialty JNS Forum for Japanese prototype/modeling fans worldwide. Included there is the fact that the Tomytec and Faller vehicles have different strength "follower" magnets on their steering mechanisms, so the distance to the under-road ferrous wire that they follow has to be carefully worked out. Also many interested videos of what Japanese modelers have done to push the boundaries of this system.

Rich K.

[jmlaboda]

Yea but I'm still not impressed with shapeways, and that could potentially jack up the price of what I'd be willing to pay, ya know? I am on a budget, and I swear some of the simple things I've seen on Shapeways are expensive!!
(not trying trying to be a downer, I am just poor. Lol)

I understand what you are saying and I live on a limited budget as well but what it really boils down to is whether or not it is something a person would want.  Expensive!  Doable?  Also a, "Yes!" if its something a person really wanted.  For me these buses, as beautiful as the models are, are just not needed or wanted for my chosen focus of modeling... but for some others...

[cfritschle]

I do own a bunch of the CMW models, they are still in their bubblepacks. Now that I see how high they ride, I'll need to see if they can be lowered; it shouldn't be too hard for a nonfunctioning model...
Otto K.

Otto.,

CMW corrected the ride height issue with the 2012 release.  There is a photo of a bus from the 2012 release about 3/4 the way down on this page.  http://nscalevehicles.org/new_products/new_products_2012.php

Also, the ride height of the CMW buses in the initial release was easily corrected.  After disassembling the bus I simply removed the pin that was molded to the bottom of the seat insert, and replaced it with a styrene strip of appropriate thickness.

Carter

[nscaler711]

The gold-colored spring and hairpin-shape are the motor contacts. Again, clever engineering with no wires going to the motor.

I was just thinking about that line in the middle of all that, and I know of one thing that used a similar set up,
Zip Zaps...
I don't know if you all remember that, but they were really easy to customize, could even swap motors, all by prying them up and replace it with a "high power" motor... No fiddling with wires...

Useless knowledge I know, but I was hoping to see those coreless motors make a come back...

[Cajonpassfan]

Otto.,

CMW corrected the ride height issue with the 2012 release.  There is a photo of a bus from the 2012 release about 3/4 the way down on this page.  http://nscalevehicles.org/new_products/new_products_2012.php

Also, the ride height of the CMW buses in the initial release was easily corrected.  After disassembling the bus I simply removed the pin that was molded to the bottom of the seat insert, and replaced it with a styrene strip of appropriate thickness.

Carter

Thank you Carter! Good to know, even if I own the original releases (of course).
I didn't think it would be hard to lower these, so I appreciate your suggestions.

My buses are mostly parked scenery anyway, as I don't care for the stationary "moving" vehicle look on layouts where trains run and vehicles don't. Looks good in still photos but no so good in real life imo. (The new operating buses are interesting, but not interesting enough for me to venture there).
Otto K.

[strummer]

That is a very complete review. Thank you for your hard work and writing skills.

I would like to see more of the same...

Mark in Oregon

[up1950s]

Great review . Now set up a loop of road with a garage at one end and a hidden stop behind a bus terminal at the other end . Inlay the wire and have it cross over to the oncoming traffic  many many times . Then place cars in both directions in their correct lane directions . Run the bus and it will cross the double yellow at speed as if it couldn't reduce speed or it will blow up , just like the movie .

[peteski]

I was just thinking about that line in the middle of all that, and I know of one thing that used a similar set up,
Zip Zaps...
I don't know if you all remember that, but they were really easy to customize, could even swap motors, all by prying them up and replace it with a "high power" motor... No fiddling with wires...

Useless knowledge I know, but I was hoping to see those coreless motors make a come back...

Those motors are used everywhere (from smart-phone vibrators, to tiny robots and many flying toys).  Several years ago there was an H0 scale remote control Nissan 350Z available. Full control (forward-stop-reverse and left/right). I got one and as a joke placed it on friend's layout and started running it . While the trick worked (for few seconds), the problem was that this model (liek the Zip-Zaps) is geared for breakneck speed. Way too fast to be able to drive around on streets on H0 layout.  The TOMYTEC bus (and Faller vehicles) have much lower gearing for more realistic speed.

[cfritschle]

I was indeed asking about the Wheels of Time bus (and how it compared in terms of appearance).  Essentially wanting to know if I could put it on the same street with one of these without it looking bad.  Although a Mack v GM, it is more comparably priced to the Tomytec and to my eye, also superior to the CMW.  But my CMW models cost me something like $3 each, so I am fine with them occupying space in the background.

I will have my own opportunity to compare the WoT whenever my Tomytecs get here.

Tom D

Tom,

The first thing you will notice when you are comparing the two models is the Wheels of Time Mack is based on a 102 inch wide prototype.  Judging from Peter's photos, the TomyTec model appears to be based on a 96 inch wide prototype, so the extra width will probably be quite noticeable.  The CMW bus actually looks a bit undersized when placed next to the WOT Mack!

Carter

[peteski]

Tom,

The first thing you will notice when you are comparing the two models is the Wheels of Time Mack is based on a 102 inch wide prototype.  Judging from Peter's photos, the TomyTec model appears to be based on a 96 inch wide prototype, so the extra width will probably be quite noticeable.  The CMW bus actually looks a bit undersized when placed next to the WOT Mack!

Carter

Interesting. I didn't know they not only had different lenghts, but different widths.  Do you happen to know the wheel sizes of each?

[peteski]

Peteski,

I was indeed asking about the Wheels of Time bus (and how it compared in terms of appearance).  Essentially wanting to know if I could put it on the same street with one of these without it looking bad.  Although a Mack v GM, it is more comparably priced to the Tomytec and to my eye, also superior to the CMW.  But my CMW models cost me something like $3 each, so I am fine with them occupying space in the background.

I will have my own opportunity to compare the WoT whenever my Tomytecs get here.

I appreciate your review.  I'm starting on the design of a new layout and am now seriously considering allowing for moving buses.

Tom D

Tom, what you are asking is very subjective.  I bought a package of the initial release of CMW buses for $20 and another package recently for $8. While I never considered the CMW bus a great model - I thought they were just ok, but after taking the photos comparing it to the TOMYTEC model I would not want to see them next to each other.  Especially the odd-shaped wheel arches and small wheels really bother me.  But that is me - someone else can find both models quite acceptable (despite the difference in appearance).

[cfritschle]

Interesting. I didn't know they not only had different lenghts, but different widths.  Do you happen to know the wheel sizes of each?

Petski,

The "standard" tire for the mid 1950s GM Scenicruiser was the 11.00 X 19.  The overall diameter of the tires mounted on the rims would have been approximately 40 inches.  That is the only bus in which I had the specs for the tires handy.   

Carter

[loyalton]

Here's the WoT bus for quick comparison:
http://www.wheelsotime.com/display/ShowImage?imageUrl=/picture/90261-sf_1.jpg?pictureId=6366339&asGalleryImage=true&__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1281477365994

The only things the Tomytec bus could use now is a destination/roller sign and license plates (assuming you put plates on your other vehicles!). The National City Lines scheme was a good choice unless you're Ira Swett.