Hello there everybody! I am new to 009 and modelling as a whole. I would like to learn how to build kits and am wondering what kits are easy to build, as well as being on the cheaper end as I am on a tight budget. All answers are great! Thanks!
Lindsey
I think definitely a 3D printed loco body on a Kato "Pocket Line" tram chassis. If you want to tackle whitemetal or brass kits or something like an Airfix/Dapol Pug-bash (if that takes your fancy) then do so later.
There's a range of qualities and prices of 3D prints available and fortunately the budget blurry imaged offerings on eBay that arrive looking like they have been knitted are less common now and there are number of well established small producers.
At the top end FourDees seem to be the most highly regarded and their prices are somewhat higher. They sell RTR 3D printed models too and kits are a new line for them.
https://www.fourdees.co.uk/ (https://www.fourdees.co.uk/)
People will have their favourites, so in no particular order:
Narrow Minded Railworks - https://narrowmindedrailworks.com/ (https://narrowmindedrailworks.com/)
Double M Pro - https://www.etsy.com/shop/DoubleMpro (https://www.etsy.com/shop/DoubleMpro)
(I think he is very much a small part-time producer so sometimes there are delays.)
Nigel Brooks has a small selection of locos and quite a lot of rolling stock - https://www.brooks3dmodels.com/ (https://www.brooks3dmodels.com/)
David Hurst (Model Engine Works) had a fine selection on Shapeways (who have ceased trading) but I'm not sure if he has an outlet now.
Likewise Tom Bell (Tebee Models) was on Shapeways.
There is also Light Railway Stores who sell a range of products - https://www.lightrailwaystores.co.uk/ (https://www.lightrailwaystores.co.uk/)
Note the Kato chassis is available in slight variations with the 11-109 being the most common, so check which version as they have slightly different dimensions.
I'm sure there are others that I've missed that others will add.
I'll put my neck out and suggest that maybe the simplest and most satisfying model to make is the Nigel Brooks "Toby" J70 (etc) tram engine. If your painting is not as good as you'd like (as mine is) then I think it is easier to do a more convincing job painting what is essentially a wooden wagon than get paint shop fresh or work-weathered finish on a more typical loco with lots of odd nooks and crannies to paint.
Most of the modern 3d prints are easy to assemble.
However, most of the older white metal kits from the 1980's are not as easy to assemble well, in addition the chassis required are no longer available and both difficult to obtain and overly expensive.
For a beginner, without experience I would avoid any brass kits.
Regarding any body kit in every case I would strongly recommend that you purchase the chassis first.
The kits are easy to get, many of the chassis are difficult to get and often expensive.
Do not get the body kit and then try to get the chassis.
Just to add - remember that 009 is NOT a "pocket money" hobby - if indeed it ever was....
Of course, it very much depends on what people think "pocket money" is. <grin>
That is not to say that it cannot be a very affordable hobby....
The Kato 11-108/109/110 4-wheel pocketline chassis are up to £20 each - depends where you shop (this is a UK retailer I found) They are very nicely running chassis and would make a good starter loco - either diesel outline of steam (with tram skirts to hide the lack of motion) And with tha added bonus of many 3D bodies that just clip on...
Combining what Brian and Hugh have said, if you do happen to come across an old "bargain" N gauge chassis to fit a white metal kit then you may be rather disappointed with its performance. Not only could it have started out new with the not-terribly-impressive performance of many old N gauge chassis it may have had a hard life which will not have improved matters.
If you would like steam engine motion with a full complement of wiggly bits and good performance then be prepared to buy a quality (i.e. expensive) modern N gauge locomotive (or a RTR 009 one) and discard the body. There are also conversion kits for outside frame Farish Class 08 diesels to give them steam motion.
https://www.rtmodels.co.uk/rt_models_015.htm (https://www.rtmodels.co.uk/rt_models_015.htm)
Thankyou for your responses! I think I'll take a look at some intermediate plastic kits (wagons/fourdess etc.)
Lindsey
Quote from: 9531LTAT on September 19, 2024, 16:52Thankyou for your responses! I think I'll take a look at some intermediate plastic kits (wagons/fourdess etc.)
Lindsey
As I mentioned it is always best to get the required loco chassis first, before the kit.
The Society's online shop is always a good place to start for bargains. Look in the 'Kits and chassis' section. Actually there's not a lot of 'basic' kits at present but there is a nice little loco body for a tenner which would probably fit a cheap Kato 0-4-0 chassis.
Then have a look at the rst of the 009 stock!
The Sales Team.