009 IC industrial loco - kit availability?

[steve howe]

Not being a 009 or 4mm scale narrow gauger, I am finding getting hold of a simple industrial pre-War IC loco somewhat complicated. My current Cameo Challenge layout calls for a short narrow gauge feeder line running a small IC loco and three V skips on and off stage. Simples I thought! bound to be loads of kits out there to choose from … but it appears not. All of Nigel Lawton's otherwise perfect range are currently unavailable, Narrow Planet have various body kits but all seem to rely on a Kato chassis of some form or other, and my attempts to locate a source of Kato tram chassis without having to purchase the whole unit at eye watering prices, have so far drawn a blank.

 

Can anyone more knowledgeable in 009 matters than I suggest a simple way of getting a basic Simplex or similar loco running at a reasonably sensible price without scouring Europe for obscure chassis parts?

[andrew575]

Have a look on Shapeways, for example:

https://www.shapeways.com/product/XM825EYS4/009-motor-rail-simplex-body?optionId=64169223&li=marketplace

You could create a static models in the short term. Remember that the Portram trams have two motor units.

[steve howe]

Thanks Andrew, the body looks the thing, the problem seems to be getting the motor bogie. I'm looking on ebay for a Grafar chassis, but don't hold out much hope. Do any of the British N scale manufacturers sell spares?

[RLWP]

How about the Minitrains diesels:

 

 

Richard

[PatB]

Long ago there was a whitemetal kit for a Kerr-Stuart diesel which seemed to appear on every 009 layout built prior to ~1980 but I can't remember who made it or what powered it. There seemed to be so many that they surely can't all have disappeared. 

 

Is there any possibility of doing anything worthwhile with a Bachmann Rusty? Having just looked I can't say I'm keen, but as a basis for a fairly hefty hack job it might work. 

 

Or maybe a recabbed N gauge US or European diesel shunter (might be a bit modern). Just don't forget to change all the stuff that people often forget, like handrails and exhausts, otherwise it will look exactly like a recabbed N gauge loco. 

[mozzer models]

3 minutes ago, PatB said:

Long ago there was a whitemetal kit for a Kerr-Stuart diesel which seemed to appear on every 009 layout built prior to ~1980 but I can't remember who made it or what powered it. There seemed to be so many that they surely can't all have disappeared. 

 

Is there any possibility of doing anything worthwhile with a Bachmann Rusty? Having just looked I can't say I'm keen, but as a basis for a fairly hefty hack job it might work. 

 

Or maybe a recabbed N gauge US or European diesel shunter (might be a bit modern). Just don't forget to change all the stuff that people often forget, like handrails and exhausts, otherwise it will look exactly like a recabbed N gauge loco. 

That kit is now in the hand of Narrow Planet

https://shop.narrowplanet.co.uk/collections/mosskito-narrow-gauge/products/mm2

 

A1 Models do's a brass kit of it as well

001 by brian mosby, on Flickr

002 by brian mosby, on Flickr

[steve howe]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

 

I'm looking at getting one of these:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KATO-Powered-Motorized-Chassis-11-104-also-alternative-for-11-103/283601735620?hash=item4207fb0fc4:g:VS8AAOSwJcldbOKh

 

as a basis to either scratchbuild  or butcher a body shell. Anyone know if it might be adapted to fit under the Shapeways simplex? I can't find any technical information as to the wheelbase dimensions.

Steve

[RLWP]

Most of those Kato flying carpet chassis are a/. very reliable and useful and b/. quite long

 

Much too long for the small Simplexes

 

This is a similar one just about hiding under a Roco 0-6-0 diesel body:

 

 

The loco at the back  has a Kato chassis with the platforms chopped off

 

Richard

 

MORE: There are basic dimensions here: http://www.gaugemaster.com/item_details.asp?code=K11-104

Edited September 4, 2019 by RLWP

[009 micro modeller]

Is the Meridian Simplex currently available? I can’t find it online at present but I obtained one recently and a modern Japanese motor bogie can be used to power it (can’t remember what type off the top of my head though). For RTR, I can also recommend the Minitrains diesels. Some of the A1 models locos use the Kato tram chassis.

[andrew575]

It looks as if Dundas Models has stock:

 

https://dundasmodels.co.uk/webstore/index.php/hikashop-menu-for-module-108/product/5675-motor-rail-simplex-war-department-40-hp-petrol-tractor-out-of-stock

[RLWP]

2 hours ago, 009 micro modeller said:

Is the Meridian Simplex currently available?

 

Not at the moment: https://shop.narrowplanet.co.uk/collections/mosskito-narrow-gauge/products/mm15

 

Richard

[009 micro modeller]

1 hour ago, RLWP said:

 

Not at the moment: https://shop.narrowplanet.co.uk/collections/mosskito-narrow-gauge/products/mm15

 

Richard

 

But thanks for finding the right page. The Tomytec chassis is the one I was thinking of.

[Neil]

On 04/09/2019 at 20:11, steve howe said:

Thanks for the feedback guys.

 

I'm looking at getting one of these:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KATO-Powered-Motorized-Chassis-11-104-also-alternative-for-11-103/283601735620?hash=item4207fb0fc4:g:VS8AAOSwJcldbOKh

 

as a basis to either scratchbuild  or butcher a body shell. Anyone know if it might be adapted to fit under the Shapeways simplex? I can't find any technical information as to the wheelbase dimensions.

Steve

 

Some years ago I produced a resin cast body kit for a battery electric loco. I thought that I'd sold out but have found one stashed away with some other models. I realise that it's not a: IC or b: a strictly UK prototype but it is designed specifically for the Kato chassis. Prototype photo here.

 

Finished model built from the kit.

 

 

 

[otty]

1 hour ago, Neil said:

 

Some years ago I produced a resin cast body kit for a battery electric loco. I thought that I'd sold out but have found one stashed away with some other models. I realise that it's not a: IC or b: a strictly UK prototype but it is designed specifically for the Kato chassis. Prototype photo here.

 

Finished model built from the kit.

 

 

 

 

Neil's kits make up into nice models.

 

I really should finish the 2nd of the 2 railbuses I bought :-)

 

Baz

Edited September 10, 2019 by otty