suitable loco kits or scratch build for a Kato 11-105 powered chassis

[murphy1570]

Hello folks
I have just rejoined the society/forum after a period of some five years and renewed my subscription to the 009 magazine, if memory serves me correctly there was a posting circa 2004/5 re the above chassis and I bought one, and I would like to build a steam era or older desiel type loco to suit it, but although being a previous member of the forum I am a beginner when it comes to this type of project and would appreciate any advice from more experienced members  of the forum on this subject, and indeed any help or advice on building locos and rolling stick from different materials ie plasticard/styrene, card/paper etc.
Thanks all the best,John.

[RJSRdg]

As the chassis is only powered at one end, it can be extended or shortened as required. The most obvious steam loco would be the Langley Double Fairlie. I'm not really aware of any early NG Bo-Bo diesels - at least not in this country (South African Funkey perhaps?).

If you were prepared to freelance, a scaled-down Sentinel steam railcar might be a possibility, or some sort of diesel car like JdF's.

Richard

[invercloy]

You may find you get a wider audience for questions like this on http://ngrm-online.com I know the Shorty chassis has been discussed on there a couple of times.

It's way too short for a Fairlie, you would be looking at something with a short wheelbase.  A railcar or a small diesel spring to mind.

[murphy1570]

Hello Tom
Thanks for your reply to my question you mention a "Shorty chassis" what exactly is this? the Kato chassis I have N-GAUGE 11-105 measures 50mm long (70mm including the couplings), by 15mm wide by 17mm high in total, it has eight wheels I think this is known as 04040 would this be correct Tom? also could you point me in the direction of drwings, plans or instructions for building models similar to these you mention in your reply, a railcar or a small diesel that may be suitable for this chassis. Excuse my ignorance Tom but I as I said a beginner at this type of scratch building/modelling, or if you know of a suitable white metal or plastic kit that may be suitable, please let me know.
Thanks again all the best, John.

[garrywhiting]

Hello Tom
Thanks for your reply to my question you mention a "Shorty chassis" what exactly is this? the Kato chassis I have N-GAUGE 11-105 measures 50mm long (70mm including the couplings), by 15mm wide by 17mm high in total, it has eight wheels I think this is known as 04040 would this be correct Tom? also could you point me in the direction of drwings, plans or instructions for building models similar to these you mention in your reply, a railcar or a small diesel that may be suitable for this chassis. Excuse my ignorance Tom but I as I said a beginner at this type of scratch building/modelling, or if you know of a suitable white metal or plastic kit that may be suitable, please let me know.

Kato make 5 chassis commonly used by 009 modellers, 3 versions of the bogie chassis, 11-105, 11-106, & 11-107, known here as the "shorty" because it is the smallest bogie chassis available, and 2 versions of the 4w tram chassis 11-103 & 11-104, commonly called the "tram".
Unfortunately there are no kits specifically designed for the bogie chassis, although it may be possible to adapt one of the new etched brass diesel kits from A1 models to fit, but some additional work would be required. As is common among 009 modellers, Tom's reference to a railcar or small diesel, is "a design and build your own " project. If you visit Narrow Gauge South & the 009 Society AGM at Sparsholt on Saturday we could discuss this further.

[JulienW]

There are a couple of kits available for the Kato "Shorty" bogie chassis.  They are made in Japan for HOn30 (that's 3.5 mm to the foot running on 9 mm gauge that scales up to 2 feet 6 inches, or 30 inches) and are available from Yoshiya Kobiashi (who I think is an 009 Society member).  His 'beginners' kits can be found at http://www.hpmix.com/home/yoshiya/Yoshiya/A4_1.htm#17.  The site suggests that these kits are supplied with the chassis, but it might be possible to purchase the etches.  Alternatively you could use the photos of the built kits to design something to scratch-build in plastic sheet that might fit in more with your railway, but I think you are going to be limited to something powered by internal combustion rather than steam.

My own effort with the Kato bogie chassis involved fitting it under a Ford model A flatbed lorry and replacing the unpowered bogie with a single axle.

[Armchair Modeller]

A motorised bogie wagon is another possibility, for use with an unpowered loco or railcar - or a gravity train

[Isle of Stoner]

Love the lorry.

Here is picture of the lorry I built on the Kato shorty chassis. It basically a Dundas VoR Brake van.

[MickT]

John,

welcome (back) to the Society and to this forum. Tom's (Invercloy) advice is very sound - check out the ngrm-online forum, which is very active. If you have a look at the Knightwing bash thread there, and also the recent articles in both 009 News and in Railway Modeller by Roger Christian on building a Knightwing diesel loco for 009, (normally done using the 11-103 Tram chassis), you will find that it is just as easy to do one, in fact in some ways even easier, using the Shorty chassis that you have. I have a half built Knightwing bash (no photos of this one, sorry) that has the engine compartment shortened to 2 panels plus the blank bit that now exactly fits onto a Kato Shorty. Dead easy to marry chassis to body because if you cut the footplate hole closely to fit over the motor housing, then the body simply sits on the small "platforms" at each end of the chassis and securing can then proceed with any of several options from drilling holes to accomodate small nuts and bolts, through dressmakers press studs to the highly  non-technical option of a bit of blu-tack.

Just follow either of Roger's articles mentioned above and substitute the 4 wheel Kato chassis for the bogie one you have and you should have an impressive looking 009 diesel loco for a couple of evening's effort.

Mick

[invercloy]

As is common among 009 modellers, Tom's reference to a railcar or small diesel, is "a design and build your own " project. If you visit Narrow Gauge South & the 009 Society AGM at Sparsholt on Saturday we could discuss this further.

Exactly right, Garry! I wasn't referring to anything in particular.

John, you say you are a beginner, do you have much experience of kit building, or are you a 'total' beginner?  The reason I ask is because there may be some kits that could be altered to fit this chassis, however you would be far better off getting some experience of building kits as intended to begin with.

Like Garry, I'm at Sparsholt, with my layout 'Dunbracken'.  If you are coming along then stop by and say hello, I'll show you some of the conversions I've done on stock and explain how they were done.

[Darren Hedges]

A1 Models has recently released 2 kits for this chassis and will be on sale at Sparsholt from the A1 Models stand.

They are a box cab, larger and with more detail than the one designed for the tram chassis and one based on an off center cab Hunslet with low bonets, built for one of the Australian cane railways but i forget which one.

Sorry no photo's of either I'm affraid.

Darren.

[murphy1570]

Hello folks
Thanks very much to all members who have ansewered my question re the above, a lot of very good information which has given me plenty "food for thought" , thanks again folks and to anyone else who may answer, a great site full of useful information.
Thanks all the best, John.

[murphy1570]

Hello Mick
Thanks for your reply to my question could you tell me the editions of both the 009 and the Railway modeller recent articles you mention by Roger Christian on building a Knightwing diesel loco for 009, suitable for my Kato 11-105 chassis I have (which is normally done using the 11-103 Tram chassis) but your advice re the abve articles and substituting the 4 wheel Kato chassis for the bogie one I have to build an 009 diesel loco sounds just the type of thing I am looking for. Thanks for welcoming me back to the 009 society, I recieved the March 2010 issue from Alan this week and it has  encouraged me to get involved more, any advice re the issues would be appreciated do you happen to know where I buy the kit?
Thanks all the best, John.

[MickT]

..........could you tell me the editions of both the 009 and the Railway modeller recent articles you mention by Roger Christian on building a Knightwing diesel loco for 009, suitable for my Kato 11-105 chassis I have (which is normally done using the 11-103 Tram chassis).......................... any advice re the issues would be appreciated do you happen to know where I buy the kit?
Thanks all the best, John.

Roger's article is in 009 News October 2009 pages 9 - 12. Also covered in Railway Modeller February 2010. Basically the same article but different photos and presentation. In my opinion the 009 News article is easier to follow as there are more detailed photos and diagrams and the text relates directly to the photos which the RM article doesn't, but either will do you if you have trouble sourcing one or the other.

Availability of back-issues of 009 News are a contentious subject at the moment but in the first instance ask the membership secretary who may still have recent issues available, and if he hasn't got this one, then I suggest you ask the Secretary who should then forward your request to whoever on the committee will deal with it. If all else fails, then come back to me and I'll scan the article for you and send my scanning services bill to the treasurer  ;)

Knightwing kits are available directly from Knghtwing, who advertise monthly in Railway Modeller. You can also find them in larger model railway shops, if you still have one within a days travelling time of where you live!

Hope this helps

Mick

[murphy1570]

Hello again Mick,
Thanks very much for taking the time to reply to me re the articles you mentioned by Roger Christain in both the "009 news" and the "Railway Modeller magazine" re the Kato 11-105 chassis, and its suitability for  use on  building the Knightwing diesel loco for 009 use, using the "shorty chassis" I have these terms are all new to me but make perfect sense when you explained them to me.

  I have already taken your advice Mick and e mailed the membership secretary re the availability of the October 2009 issue dealing with this topic, I will also contact Railway Modeller Magazine re availability of a back issue if the society does not have it. Thanks for offering to scan and send me the article Mick if all else fails.

Thanks again Mick, all the best, John.