Having come back to 009 while my 0-16.5 project languishes I was wondering if modern r-t-r chassis will fit some of the older white metal loco kits, or are the originally intended chassis still being produced? Think of kits like the Langley ones. I'm really out of touch with N gauge makers and their stuff these days.
I cannot give a comprehensive answer for all kits and chassis; however, I have successfully fitted the Fleischmann "Picolo" 0-4-0 chassis to the Langley "Prince" body, in place of the original Ibertren. Langley actually provide an addendum sheet showing how one modeller did this. As far as I am aware, the Fleischmann chassis is out of production currently(?) but does appear on Ebay (try the German site) regularly.
I have heard that others have used the Dapol 2-6-2 chassis' (either GWR or "standard tank" versions) to replace the Minitrix chassis used in several other kits, but am unaware of the extent of work required to modify the kit parts. Similarly, the Bachmann/Farish versions may be suitable.
In general, not many of the original N scale chassis that these kits were designed for still exist. Neville Kent - www.n-driveproductions.com/ (http://www.n-driveproductions.com/) - makes "lookalikes" for the Bachmann 0-4-0 shunter and Ibertren chassis'. These are, however, made to order, and it is best to contact Neville for a delivery quote. These still involve some modifications to the kits.
It may be better if you list those kits you are interested in, and someone, I'm sure, will have some experience and advice! :)
Tim
The N drive replacement chassis are not a direct replacement. You will find in most cases the 009 body will sit too high above the rails when you use the N drive chassis, the kit will need modifications and in some cases the N drive chassis will not fit the kit at all.
Time has moved on, the days of cheap indifferent quality N gauge chassis readily available for year after year has gone for ever.
These days N gauge locos, like almost all model trains, are made in small batches in China and can often change design between production runs.
I recommend that you look at newer 009 kits that come complete with a chassis, for example the kits made by Narrow Planet that use the Minitrains H0e chassis.
If you do go down the old 1980
For the fleischmann 0-4-0 piccolo, I usually come up empty on regular eBay, but I change the .com or .co.uk to .de and search the term fleischmann piccolo and several come up pretty reasonably priced.
I, too, have looked into Narrow Planet kits and such. There are also several 3D print body makers who cater to rtr chassis. I recently got a Talyllyn Alf that fits on a Graham Farish Class 04.
Quote from: M.Melton on March 13, 2018, 13:36
For the fleischmann 0-4-0 piccolo, I usually come up empty on regular eBay, but I change the .com or .co.uk to .de and search the term fleischmann piccolo and several come up pretty reasonably priced.
None of the older white metal 009 kits are designed for the Fleischmann 0-4-0 chassis.
However if you modify the kit and the chassis it can be used in several of the older kits, but not all.
This is because the Fleischmann chassis is larger than the Ibertren, Bachmann and Arnold 0-4-0's, including having a larger motor.
Brian Meldon
FYI
Currently, the only one of the Narrow Planet loco bodies that does not list as Sold Out is the Bagnall side tank. I've emailed, asking about re-runs. And the Bagnall is not listed as being sold with a MiniTrains mech.
Jim F
Are Minitrains going to continue selling chassis separately? I heard a while back that they might be going back to only selling complete locos.
Danny
Quote from: Jim Flynn on March 13, 2018, 16:33
FYI
Currently, the only one of the Narrow Planet loco bodies that does not list as Sold Out is the Bagnall side tank. I've emailed, asking about re-runs. And the Bagnall is not listed as being sold with a MiniTrains mech.
Jim F
The best approach is to purchase the kits when they are first released as there is no way to tell how long they will be available before they sell out!
Brian Meldon
Quote from: B.Meldon on March 13, 2018, 15:23
None of the older white metal 009 kits are designed for the Fleischmann 0-4-0 chassis.
However if you modify the kit and the chassis it can be used in several of the older kits, but not all.
This is because the Fleischmann chassis is larger than the Ibertren, Bachmann and Arnold 0-4-0's, including having a larger motor.
Brian Meldon
I was referring to the Prince kit. :)
Quote from: M.Melton on March 14, 2018, 00:49
Quote from: B.Meldon on March 13, 2018, 15:23
None of the older white metal 009 kits are designed for the Fleischmann 0-4-0 chassis.
However if you modify the kit and the chassis it can be used in several of the older kits, but not all.
This is because the Fleischmann chassis is larger than the Ibertren, Bachmann and Arnold 0-4-0's, including having a larger motor.
Brian Meldon
I was referring to the Prince kit. :)
The old FR Prince kit (made for the FR by George E Mellor in Ross on Sea and based on Welsh Pony.) was designed for the 1960's Minitrains Baldwin chassis. It later had instructions included on how to modify it and an Arnold 0-4-0 chassis to fit. If you use the Fleischmann chassis in this kit it requires modifications to the chassis and the body that are not in the instructions, and it is virtually impossible to get the body to sit low enough to the track. (My one is about 1.5mm too high, this is with all new cylinder bountings (the originals on the chassis cut away) and is about as close as it could be to the rails.
The Langley 'Prince' kit (based on Palmerston) was designed for the Ibertren 0-4-0. It requires even more work to fit the Fleischmann chassis and even with the modifications to both the body and the chassis the body will sit noticeably too high above the rails because of the width and height of the Fleischmann motor.
So yes the Fleischmann chassis can be used in these two kits but it is not the intended chassis and it is far from ideal especially if used in the Langley kit.
Brian Meldon
As an example of fitting the Langley kit to the Fleischmann chassis, this is my attempt; it may well be too high, as Brian says, but see what you think! :)
(https://elmgatemodels.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/sussex-cob.jpg)
Tim
Quote from: B.Meldon on March 13, 2018, 22:38
The best approach is to purchase the kits when they are first released as there is no way to tell how long they will be available before they sell out!
Brian Meldon
I agree, but that only works if you are 'not' getting into 009 after they have already gone out of stock :)
I did, however, hear back from Stephen at NP. The Bagnall saddle tank will be back in stock as a complete kit, once they can source MiniTrains Krauss chassis, but the body kit is available now. The Pamela is awaiting parts to be produces, and will then be available. The manning-Wardle midget will not be re-issues.
Jim F
I thought that the N drive chassis was more of a replacement for the Bachmann American Tank Loco rather than the Cuckoo/Fleischmann chassis? The wheels on the ones I've seen are closer togather and larger than the other two and match the Bachmann virtually identically, or at least mine does!
Quote from: Elmgate on March 14, 2018, 10:55
As an example of fitting the Langley kit to the Fleischmann chassis, this is my attempt; it may well be too high, as Brian says, but see what you think! :)
Tim
It looks fine to me Tim
Mick
Quote from: Hobby on March 14, 2018, 15:14
I thought that the N drive chassis was more of a replacement for the Bachmann American Tank Loco rather than the Cuckoo/Fleischmann chassis? The wheels on the ones I've seen are closer togather and larger than the other two and match the Bachmann virtually identically, or at least mine does!
N Drive (IE Nevile) makes more than one version with different wheel spacing to get close to either the Bachmnn or the Iberetren Cuckoo
However neither are identical and as with the Fleischmann chassis you often end up with the loco sitting too high above the rails.
Brian Meldon
Quote from: MickT on March 14, 2018, 15:26
Quote from: Elmgate on March 14, 2018, 10:55
As an example of fitting the Langley kit to the Fleischmann chassis, this is my attempt; it may well be too high, as Brian says, but see what you think! :)
Tim
It looks fine to me Tim
Mick
I like it as well. Until I saw it I wouldn't have thought black suited Prince but actually the colour scheme looks really good as well.
Danny
Danny,
I realise that the photo is not the best, but the colour is in fact my standard midnight blue (with black edging)! :D
Tim
Quote from: Elmgate on March 16, 2018, 10:24
Danny,
I realise that the photo is not the best, but the colour is in fact my standard midnight blue (with black edging)! :D
Tim
Still very nice.
Danny