Hi,
I am after a 2-6-4 chassis with Walschaerts valve gear. Another option would be a 0-6-0 chassis. Where could I source one please?
Regards,
John
Probably your best bet is the Kato JNR C11. I can't off the top of my head think where would have them in stock (a Google search will probably bring something up) but just so you know what you are looking for try here linky thing (https://www.hattons.co.uk/238905/kato_c11_202_2_6_4_steam_locomotive_of_the_kinetsu_railway/stockdetail).
There was also an Ibertern German outline 2-6-4 but I can't recall if that's got the valve gear. . They have not been made for several years but tend to be cheap. There are also similar locos turned out by the German manufacturers (Arnold, Fleischmann, Trix) which might be worth a look.
Finally there are the selection of British Railways (and constituent companies) 2-6-4 tank Certainly the 'standard' 4mt by Farish has got the Walscherts gear, but might be a bit tall in the wheels.
Thinking a little further you could turn a 2-6-2 into a 2-6-4, and that opens up the Minitrix and Dapol Ivatt tank, and the German BR 64 (Trix - essentially the same model as the BR Ivatt - and the rather nice Fleischmann version. Not sure if Arnold do one).
I can't think of any readily available 0-6-0 chassis with the Walscherts. Minitrix / Trix did one of the little 0-6-0s with the valve gear (a German outline model iirc) and then there is the Bachmann US loco that seems to come in 0-6-0 and 2-6-2 format. The problem with these is that there are several different versions, and those in the white boxes can suffer from split plastic axle muffs (replacements are available from N-Drive productions).
Finally don't rule out the Farish 08 Diesel that can be fitted with steam cylinders and valve gear using parts from RT Models - in fact they do a conversion kit to make a 2-6-4 chassis for the Leek & Manifold tanks - with the advantage that you'll end up with a outside frame loco.
Having outlined the options probably the best place to start looking, especially for the older chassis, is on eBay or the 2nd hand section of some of the larger mail order suppliers' websites (like Hattons and Rails of Sheffield). Some will also be available new, so the Farish stuff shouldn't be too hard to get from your local model shop, and companies like Gaugemaster might be worth a try for the US, European and Japanese outline stuff.
The problem will be that I suspect it will be unlikely any of them will sell you the chassis on it's own unless you get lucky on eBay, though it might be worth trying Plaza Japan who sell some Kato spares and may be able to supply the chassis from a C11
I hope that's of some help, John, but I wonder what you have got in mind...
I bought my new Kato C11 from Plaza in Japan: https://www.plazajapan.com/4949727665856/ It was, I thought, a good price, and came into Australia without attracting any additional customs or taxes. I'm still working up the courage to get the body off.
Quote from: duttonbay on August 23, 2022, 09:03
I bought my new Kato C11 from Plaza in Japan: https://www.plazajapan.com/4949727665856/ It was, I thought, a good price, and came into Australia without attracting any additional customs or taxes. I'm still working up the courage to get the body off.
Do not be tempted to undo any of the screws on the keeper plate as this may disengage the cylinders from the valve gear and it's a very nasty job to put them back ( Guess how I know ).
To remove the body, turn the loco upside down and slide very small jewellers screwdrivers between the cab and the chassis block, this should ease the body off.
Garry