Kato-103 equivalent today?

[Chris-Draw]

Good afternoon, coming back to 009 after 7 years, I find that the Kato 103 chassis of old is now superseded. Can anyone give me the best place to buy a New version?
Meanwhile I'll get in touch with 2nd hand sales

[Graeme Dunbar]

Take a look at TrainTrax: https://traintrax.co.uk/kato-pocket-line-series-c-53-html

I've bought a number of things from them and service and price have always been good.

The new versions are close enough in size to fit Kato's own Pocket Line trains, but some kit manufacturers have reported slight differences that mean some modification is needed to make them fit in their models. I guess that means they do not 'sit' on their models in quite the same way as they do in Kato models. Looking at them it is not obvious where differences in the outline lay, though mechanically they are a big improvement to an already reliable chassis.

[Chris-Draw]

Graeme good afternoon, thanks for the reply so quickly. I have just ordered a Kato 11 109 chassis. I can then check the dimensional differences and make adjustments to the CAD work.
Thank you very much

[B.Meldon]

One aspect of the replacement chassis is that the motor is not as powerfully as the old one in the 103. The result is that if you add weight to the loco to improve running and power pick up, you can add too much that will slow down or even stop the motor. This was not an issue with the older chassis. You may also find that some of the controllers that ran the old chassis very well are not suitable for the new version. Most notably feedback controllers. However, the new version does in general run better than the old version.

[Chris-Draw]

Brian, good afternoon, thank you for the information, I'll test my Chassis out on our Club test track, run it in and see how it goes. I was always pleased with the Old 103 etc.

All the Best Chris

[B.Meldon]

I have found no need to run in the modern chassis any more. They are as good as the get stright out the box.

[Hugh Norwood]

There's the 11-110 as well, and I see there is a 11-108 (I've not seen one of those in the flesh as yet)

Welcome back, Chris, good to hear from you

[cp.409067]

*

The KATO 11-108 is essentially the same as the 11-109.

The 11-108 is longer and is not fitted with couplings. At one end there is what might be described as an electric tram style safety guard (a sort of vertical "cow catcher"). This is plastic and easily removed or modified. The 108 is also narrower by some 2-3mm because it lacks the side frame detail of the 109.

That said the the motor, wheels, and wheelbase are identical, and it may therefore be assumed that so too are the running characteristics.


CP

[garrywhiting]

There's the 11-110 as well, and I see there is a 11-108 (I've not seen one of those in the flesh as yet)

I will bring examples of the Kato 11-108, 11-109 & 11-110 to York on Saturday so you can contrast and compare.

Garry

[Stephen Rainsbury]

Hi Chris,

If you are prepared to do a little bit of work the cheapest place (by a long way) is Banzai Hobby in Japan where they are currently £12.19, plus postage. Air = £25, Ship (3 months) = £15.
https://banzaihobby.com/Ktao-4949727678283

I have just ordered 8 for my group, so postage was £2 each unit, but next time I will make it one more and sell that on eBay to cover it.

In terms of compatibilty the 109 is slighty bigger than the 103, so wont fit into some bodies without a degree of fettling. The gubbins are more difficult to access, so converting them to DCC takes a bit more effort, but the added flywheel makes more noticeable difference than I expected. They sail over the set track points on my A3 paper sized micro layouts without hesitation.

[Chris-Draw]

After all your help with information on the New Kato Chassis, I decided to design from scratch a completely new body shell. This will suit my new 3D printer better than the old design.
I'll make a couple for testing on my small home layout

[Chris-Draw]

Another New Loco body design, I'll be making a sample over the next few days

[Robin Webster]

 A very fine looking little loco.

[Chris-Draw]

First off 3D prints of the redesigned Dumpy Diesel. Now 50 Micron layers as standard.
All the best Chris
Chris-Draw.com

[Michael Pearson]

Can also purchase from Hobby Search (Japanese)  Yes that's the companies name,  and Hobby Link Japan.  Both ship at reasonable prices.