ED14 by Tomytec

[0303fxm]

This is ED14 by Tomytec.

I was influenced with the topic of "Plaza Japan Order - Product Discussion - TheRailwire" and bought an ED14 here in Japan.

Painted as a Milw box cab and replaced pantographs w/ ones of Kato GG1.
This loco has no motor and be pulled by a powered loco of BLI make P5a.
I know the colors are a bit different from the P5a, but that’s okay for me. 

[nkalanaga]

By the 1960s the prototype locos weren't all the same color either.  Both the maroon and the orange faded, at different rates on different locos, so there's really no need for a perfect match.

[0303fxm]

I'm very comfortable with your comment.

Thanks!

[nkalanaga]

You're welcome!

I wonder if the mechanism from a Kato EH-10 would fit in that shell?  It's two-unit loco, but only one is powered, with the other driven by a shaft from the first.  Remove the shaft and you have a similar 4-axle, short-wheelbase, loco.


The EH-10 is semi-streamlined, so you probably wouldn't want it as-is.

[ncbqguy]

When I ordered my ED14s I ordered the Tomy drives along with pantographs.   They didn’t have the direct fit ones but I got some that won’t be much trouble to install.   I like the look of the GG1 pans; do the Kato or Bachmann parts allow for wire pickup?
The side frames from the model fit nicely on the drive, but the coupler mount is over engineered.  Waiting awhile to put operating couplers on them.
Charlie Vlk

[learmoia]

Since 'Fantacy' or 'Close Enough' schemes have become (more or less) accepted in the HO and N community, Kato should begin to do US Releases of their Japanese electrics on US paint schemes like Con-Cor was doing in the 1970s and 1980s

[peteski]

When I ordered my ED14s I ordered the Tomy drives along with pantographs.   They didn’t have the direct fit ones but I got some that won’t be much trouble to install.   I like the look of the GG1 pans; do the Kato or Bachmann parts allow for wire pickup?
The side frames from the model fit nicely on the drive, but the coupler mount is over engineered.  Waiting awhile to put operating couplers on them.
Charlie Vlk

Kato GG1 pantographs are beautifully made, mostly from what I believe are photoetched metal pieces.  But they are neither sprung, nor equalized, and the contact shoe is plastic, so they are strictly for looks. 

Bachmann GG1 pantographs are all metal, sprung and equalized.  They don't look quite as good ad Kato (but very close), and I believe can be made fully functional.

[nkalanaga]

I wouldn't be surprised if the Bachmann ones can be made functional.  Many European modelers use live overhead, and Bachmann sells a lot of stuff in Europe and Britain.  Their US models may not be set up for overhead operation, but I suspect that they're designed so it could be done.