Forum - View topicAstro Toy with Rob Bricken: Galaxy Express 999 Super Mechanics
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walw6pK4Alo
 Posts: 9322 |
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I've seen the Three-Nine several times before, but I've never really been compelled to want it like I have other Leiji Matsumoto stuff. I got my hands on the Taito original Arcadia as soon as I saw it, and I should get the second one next time I come across it, along with the Queen Emeraldas. These things are awesome and well worth the price.
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E-Master
 Posts: 471 |
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If I had a place for that thing, I'd so buy it. But for now the only Matsumoto related characters I have are 4 Harlcok figurines. I'm still yet to purchase a Yattaran and Dr. Zero figures.
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Escher28
 Posts: 5 Location: New Jersey |
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That's pretty cool, and a decent price. If I was a fan, I'd definitely pick it up.
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Elves
 Posts: 270 Location: USA |
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I think the lights in the cabin and on the engine are a saving grace for a big black hunk of plastic molded into a train. It looks like a pretty cool feature. Pity though this aspect wasn't reviewed. I'm sure the batteries weren't as hard to find as you think. Most jewelers or local X-marts carry various sizes, but I bet the batteries would definitely have cost you just as much as the train!
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CCSYueh
 Posts: 2707 Location: San Diego, CA |
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You're not fooling me. Krauser seems absolutely giddy over this. It's brought out the little boy lurking deep inside obviously. Granted, we could be talking Addams Family train wreck loving little boy... I second the idea the batteries would probably run as much as the train, but it does look cool. |
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here-and-faraway
 Posts: 1529 Location: Sunny California |
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I always look forward to seeing how you will pose Krauser. The final picture is priceless!
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xchampion
 Posts: 370 Location: Idaho Falls, Idaho |
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Its a fairly nice looking toy. On a side note if any of you have not been to rob`s topless robot site, I totally recommend it to anyone who likes a good laugh. Especially fan fiction friday, that is totally worth it by itself even if its just a little on the inappropite side. Actually thats a understatement, it is totally gross 100 percent of the time yet, funny as hell everytime.
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DuelLadyS
 Posts: 1705 Location: WA state |
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Button batteries really aren't that hard to get ahold of- your local supermarket likely has them on one side of the big battery grid that's always at the front of the store.
Based on my experience, objects using button batteries outside of actual watches typically have one of 2 sizes. You probably the 2032- all of my Japanese gadgets have used that one. I do get the occasional cheap dollar store trinket that has (I believe) 516 batteries. The 2032's are much bigger, about 3/4 of an inch wide. That should help you tell. A 2-pack of 2032 can be had pretty much anywhere that carries a lot of batteries (it's commonly used in medical equipment like blood sugar monitors, so it's easy to get.) the 516s can be had in a 6-pack from a Michael's craft store for 99 cents or so. This reminds me, I need to stock up on 2032s, my Walkie Bits need a battery change. |
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The Xenos
 Posts: 1519 Location: Boston |
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Dammit. I hate trying to match up more obscure batteries with toys, especially when the instructions are all in Japanese. Got a walking roaring Godzilla for Christmas and had to hunt down which ones they were.
Anyway, I shouldn't be ordering any more figures, but I'm an addict and I'm a sucker for light up figures. I'm only a mild fan of Galaxy Expression, but I love the design so I've got a couple of figures. Dammit, Rob, I'm tempted to get this sucker. |
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leafy sea dragon
 Posts: 7163 Location: Another Kingdom |
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As far as batteries go, Walgreen's has a huge selection of them. They're the only places that I can easy spot that sell quadruple-A's, for instance. (Not that I have anything that uses them.) I do sometimes get watch batteries from Walgreen's if somethign of mine runs out that actually uses them.
I'd figure there are a good number of train wreck enthusiasts out there...though I'd also guess some people might think you're into train stunts, which I'd say there'd be even more fans for. |
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Doggie Kruger
Posts: 14 |
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I love Galaxy Express and I also bought this train, it should be crossing the ocean right now, cant wait.
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torinostu351
 Posts: 29 Location: North Carolina, USA |
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I'm glad you're stepping out. Too many figures can get you in a rut and I personally like some statues like this. In fact, if it weren't for the ships, I'd not be as big a fan of BsG and Star Trek. I love the tech side of it. It's a shame there aren't more statues like this for anime shows. I'd love to have some models of the ships from Last Exile or Cowboy Bebop but they are hard to find or do not exist at all. Mix it up, Rob!
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bemused Bohemian
Posts: 404 Location: central Mizzou (Moral Oralville) |
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I read your column with interest amidst much laughter re your trials with that flimsy black 1-piece plastic loco replica "thingy" described as the Galaxy Express 999. Upon close inspection the loco loosely resembles a Japan National Railway Class C-62 4-6-4 Niseko Hokkaido steam locomotive. If you want more detail plus a bigger, better bang for your buck(s) AND you are willing to accept a compromise or two re cost and portability then I believe I have found the alternative for you.
Aster Hobby has just the product for your impeccable taste in action figures! It's a Gauge One or 1/30th scale coal-fired live steam kit made of brass and steel. That's right, no batteries and you get to assemble it!! Happy, happy! Joy, joy! Wheeee! First compromise: Engine will be a shade bit weighty and may require a solid thick aluminum or steel display case on concrete flooring instead of that aesthetically pleasing mahogony bookcase towering over wood flooring or carpet. Gauge One, for those of you unfamiliar with model scales, is larger than US made Lionel O gauge trains(1/48th), American Flyer or S-gauge (1/64th), HO gauge (1/87th, very popular with modelers), N-gauge (1/160th, also very popular with model railroaders who possess good eyesight and fine motor skills). This locomotive has 58" diameter Boxpok main drivers, measures 767mm in length (485mm: loco; 284mm coal tender). You can get more impressive specifications about this "Galaxy Express 999" replica by accessing Aster Hobby's website or clicking Wikipedia using the subject descriptor header above. 2nd compromise: cost. This will be the third run of this loco within the last decade so you still have time to get your pre-order in. Exact item cost isn't listed but I guesstimate it will be more just a little bit more than $15 USD, probably $2500-$4500 USD?? 3rd compromise: you can save money by constructing the passenger coach yourself....make a great vo-tech class project and give you time to find batteries for the lighting system inside. |
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