So, what do I have? Endo 2002 9600 2-8-0

[Hedron]

I picked up a small box lot of older JNR locos. In among them was this Endo unit. I am not familiar with this manufacturer, and the English-speaking web does not have much on them. A search here didn't provide much, either. It's nicely detailed. Even has some molded details in the cab. Feels like it's brass, or at least an all-metal shell. The tender is quite the chunk of metal, very heavy. It's tender driven, with the dummy boiler providing pick-up. Runs OK, though I have not done much but a test track. The dummy loco's action is very smooth. Is it of any particular value or interest?

[ChristianJDavis1]

Endo Microcast was/is a company that manufactures brass and metal locomotives in several scales. I have stuff by them in both HO (1:80) and N (1:150). The thing I know them most for in N scale is a Shinkansen 0 set they made and seems to be all over the place. Being that you know they are JNR locos, I probably don't have to tell you about the 9600 class. I know for sure they made an EF58 and EF57 in N scale, as well as some commuter equipment and private trains. As far as value or interest, I would assume that is determined by a buyer. I wouldn't mind having it because I like to collect stuff like that and have been working on getting things made by them, but for someone who is looking for "the best," the Endo model has been far eclipsed by the Kato models of late. Fun fact, when looking online "Endo," or whatever they write on the bottom of the model (the stylized logo I'm sure you've seen by now) translates to "Pea," so sometimes you'll see "Pea HO gauge train" or something similar when researching their products. So in all, a neat piece with value to people like me who similarly think they are neat, but probably not much to anybody else, even less to people who don't model JNR or collect Japanese trains.

[ChristianJDavis1]

I forgot to mention the boiler and tender are probably diecast metal; their stuff in N and HO seems to use combinations of brass and metal, with things like the Shinkansens and electrics that require thin walls being made of brass, while things that can be thick like detail parts tended to be metal. I know the EF57's have a bad problem with zinc pest where the roofs will deform and crack over time.

[spookshow]

Those were the guys who introduced truck-mounted steps to N scale. D'oh!



-Mark

[ChristianJDavis1]

Those were the guys who introduced truck-mounted steps to N scale. D'oh!



-Mark

I'll be honest, I forgot they made US prototype stuff, too. Those and the F-units are what first come to mind, and looking at your site, a GS4 as well.

[spookshow]

Ironically enough, those Key/Endo diesels came out in 1983 and Bachmann released their first-run DD40AX in 1984 - also with truck-mounted steps.



Fortunately, it didn't catch on 

-Mark

[peteski]

Ironically enough, those Key/Endo diesels came out in 1983 and Bachmann released their first-run DD40AX in 1984 - also with truck-mounted steps.



Fortunately, it didn't catch on 

-Mark

A lot of European loco models have the plow and other truck-level items (like steps) attached to their pivoting trucks.  So do some Japanese electrics (and some are actually prototypical).

[Mark5]

Those were the guys who introduced truck-mounted steps to N scale. D'oh!

Too funny!  Sure glad I couldn't afford to order one of these back then - I woulda been kinda angry when I saw it. 

[CRL]

Ironically enough, those Key/Endo diesels came out in 1983 and Bachmann released their first-run DD40AX in 1984 - also with truck-mounted steps.



Fortunately, it didn't catch on 

-Mark

Now wait a minute guys... You’re missing an opportunity to have an n-scale locomotive with room for a Subwoofer 🔊 in the cab. Thumpity thump thump thump.