Actual vehicle introduction and product overview
The 117 series, which appeared in 1979, is a DC commuter train developed by Japanese National Railways. The 153 series "Special Rapid Service" (see "153 Series (Special Rapid Service) Vol. 1" ), which operated between the Kyoto, Osaka, and Kobe areas where there were many competitors, performed well in terms of speed and convenience, but as the train began to age, they began to look inferior to private railway train . As a solution, the 117 series was assigned to the same section. In order to compete with the well-equipped private railway express trains, the 117 series was equipped with more advanced facilities than previous commuter trains, such as reversible cross seats similar to those of the Kiha 66 and 67 series and wood-grain interior decoration, and incorporated regional differences into the uniform JNR train . The two-door side panels, similar to the previously developed Kiha 66 and 67 series, and the non-through front, were a novel design that set them apart from the JNR train of the time, but the paintwork, based on the "Cream No. 1" color scheme inspired by the "Kansai Express," the predecessor of the "Special Rapid Service," with a "Grape No. 2" stripe, gave them a calm appearance. After the 221 series was introduced to the "Special Rapid Service," the cars were gradually removed from "Special Rapid Service" operation, and instead, train were transferred to various regions and repainted in local colors. The 117 series was withdrawn from regular service in the Okayama area in July 2023, and is now no longer in operation as a local train.
This product is a model of the 117 series, which was introduced as a successor to the aging 153 series "Special Rapid Service," and includes a set of six 0-series trains. By using two sets, you can enjoy the appearance of the 117 series in coupled 12-car operation.
The distinctive front shape is sharply reproduced using plastic molding
The front of the lead cars, Kuha 117 and Kuha 116, was rounded, with a streamlined "nose" and a unique design featuring a high, non-through driver's cab.
The product takes advantage of the advantages of plastic molding to sharply reproduce the distinctive front shape with its complex curves, and realistically models the rounded form (photo left) and the streamlined silhouette that looks like a "U" when viewed from the side (photo right).
Reproduce the conventional cooler and cart by newly manufacturing
The 117 series is equipped with a central air conditioner on the roof, with fresh air intakes on either side. This eliminates the forced-type ventilators that were installed on previous train. Furthermore, because the bogies are designed to be suitable for high-speed travel and replace the 153 series, which used air-spring bogies for a more comfortable ride, the DT32 series bogies, which had a proven track record in express and rapid trains, were used instead of the DT21 series bogies, which are the standard type for commuter trains.
The product reproduces the air conditioner and bogies that have been installed on the 117 series 0 generation since its introduction. The new AU75B type air conditioner reproduces the appearance of the fan through the wire mesh more realistically than before, and combined with the fresh air intake devices on both sides, it tightens the impression of the roof (photo left). In addition, the DT32 series bogies are both newly produced: the DT32H type for the motor cars (top right of the photo) and the TR69K type for the motor cars (bottom right of the photo). The TR69K type shown in the photo is for the front side, and the snowplow is reproduced as a single unit with the underframe.
