Dapol N gauge loco chassis, advice requested

[Tod Sloan]

In order to access the chassis from 14xx tank and a Prairie tank, I wonder if anyone has used these chassis to power scratch built/3D printed bodies? So far, I have been unable to separate existing bodies from their chassis. I don't want to destroy these detailed bodies as they may be useful to N scale modellers. So if anyone knows the secret, please be kind enough to share. Thank you,
Tod

[Hugh Norwood]

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Yes, I have. I can't recall how I got the body off. I shall dig the loco out of my stock boxes and see if I can remember how I did it.

[B.Meldon]

My 14xx chassis were purchased new as chassis only from Dapol for £10 each.
As a result I did not have to remove the body.
I have to say that they do need a bit of work to get them to run well. The quality control was not great and they have several issues. For example with more than one the slot in the chassis block for trailing rear wheels was not deep enough so the unpowered wheels that are lightly sprung lifted the rear driving wheels off the track reducing traction somewhat. Others had non-working wheel contacts. But they were all sold as seen with no warranty and I guess at £10 each I should not be surprised they had some faults.

[B.Meldon]

Here is a photo of one loco I built using a £10 dapol 14xx chassis back in 2011.
The cylinders and connecting rods are from a dead Minitrix 0-6-0.
The tank is from a Bachmann N gauge 0-4-0
The photo was taken on the Chelmsford MRC's 'Dam Layout'.
I sold the loco shorty after this photo was taken.
These chassis do benifit from added weight. If you are using a 3d printed body you may have to fill it full of lead in every available space forward of the rear driving wheels.

[Tod Sloan]

Thanks for your replies so far, I just hope someone will eventually reveal the method of separating body from chassis, so neither is damaged in the process. Cheers
Tod

[Hugh Norwood]

I have just turned my one over and taken the (009) bodsy off (which is a lot easier then the N scale body)

As far as I recall, you have to first take off the pony trucks. The black plastic pivots(?) that hold them in place are clips - and a gentle but firm pull will unclip them (see photo)

Under each pony truck is a small screw that fixes the chassis to the body...

(as far as I recall)

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