Kato Powered Motorized Chassis

[McKeen]

Anybody own Kato powered chassis’ 11-103, 11-108, 11-109, 11-110 and could provide width and length? (mm or in)
Or the Tomix equivalents of these 2 axle chassis?
Or direct me where to find this info?

I want to re-power some Model Power Brill trolly's.
TIA

[Steveruger45]

Here is a list of Tomix power chassis.
http://www.trainweb.org/tomix/chassis_dim.htm
Plaza Japan site has some good dimension info on the kato chassis.
https://www.plazajapan.com/4949727510484-1/

[bbunge]

Here are some other sources for chassis that might work for you.  Some of these are geared to run at very slow speeds, which might fit your needs if you are making a trolley.

https://tomamw2.com/collections/n-gauge
http://www.narrow-garage.com/NarrowGarage.html#NG-ZP

I have found it better to look for a good chassis that will within the body and then make an adaptor to fit using styrene or 3D printing.

Bob

[randgust]

After having 11-103's and 4's, which had a nice small five pole motor but TERRIBLE electrical pickup (a four-legged stool that only had three points of contact and couldn't make it over a switch to save its life), I was stunned when I got my first 11-108.   The axles are equalized, the pickup problem fixed and slow speed are just stellar.   The 11-108 is 'stripped', the same drive is under the 11-109, just more steps and end frame, etc.

Do yourself a big favor and just skip to the 11-108 for around $20 and call it a deal.   That's the best four-wheel chassis I've ever seen.   Period.

I'll be happy to help with any dimensions, I went out and bought several more for stock and ideas after I got my first one.

[peteski]

After having 11-103's and 4's, which had a nice small five pole motor but TERRIBLE electrical pickup (a four-legged stool that only had three points of contact and couldn't make it over a switch to save its life), I was stunned when I got my first 11-108.   The axles are equalized, the pickup problem fixed and slow speed are just stellar.   The 11-108 is 'stripped', the same drive is under the 11-109, just more steps and end frame, etc.

And the 11-108 also uses the Kato's powerful coreless motor (same one as what powers their large FEF-3 steam loco).  The equalized suspension design is pretty darn clever (similar design is also used in their FEF-3 front 2 drivers suspension, and also also used in a tiny Fleischmann 2-4-0 German prototype loco).  It is a great design for maximizing positive contact with the rails, for maximizing reliable power pickup and traction.

[brill27mcb]

I agree fully with randgust. The new chassis designs are a game-changer, especially for 4-wheel trolleys and trams going over plastic frogs on Tomix Wide Tram and Kato Unitram track.

Rich K.

[McKeen]

Thank you all for the replies.
This is what I’m working with. http://www.spookshow.net/loco/llbrill.html

While I sometimes can get a slight sign of life from the motor, one of the poles is dead and I have to rotate it slightly to get it to run again. The wipers rub the top of all four wheel flanges but pick-up is sketchy (intermittent) at best.
I would just like to put the shell(s) on a reliable chassis and parts bin the old ones. Only one chassis is powered but to power both, although unnecessary, is an option. It’s my intention to run this trolley point to point, forward and back again, over and over.
The inside shell dimensions are length 62.6mm x width 16.8mm or 2.46in x .866in respectively.
They are two axle chassis with a wheel base of 22mm center to center (.866in).
Wondering if a 4 axle mechanism will be too long to fit. I could grind it with a Dremel if that’s the best way to go.
Any help in finding the best chassis to put under this, or the best starting point to get from here to there, is very much appreciated.

[Jim Starbuck]

I shortened an 11-110 for my rail detector set and it runs beautifully.
The 11-108,109 and 110 are the same mechanism just with different side frame detail.
The 11-110 measures 57.73mm pilot to pilot and is 15.33mm wide so it should fit under your trolley shell with minor modifications.