This is a freelance locomotive loosely inspired by a prototype from North America. I like to imagine that the railway had a defunct twin bogie loco, and in a creative solution, they rigged up a tractor to provide the necessary power, then cleverly popped a caravan body over it to keep the driver warm and dry during operations. The locomotive features a twin bogie design, specifically to fit a Kato 11-105 chassis.
The loco is supplied with an unpainted resin body and roof, along with couplings designed to replace the original ‘n’ gauge couplings that come with the chassis. The photos show the model with the chassis already fitted — you have the option to purchase the model either complete with the chassis or just the unassembled body if you prefer to source your own chassis separately.
I’d definitely recommend painting the model before assembly, paying particular attention to the inside of the cab to add some detailed realism. The cab can be glued down securely — I personally use ‘card’ glue, though superglue or even PVA glue works well too. The body itself is a straightforward push fit over the chassis, but adding a small piece of double-sided tape on top of the chassis can help hold it firmly in place.
To fit the couplings, simply pull out the original Kato ‘n’ gauge couplings and remove their springs. The new couplings fit neatly into the pocket left behind by the originals. They clip in securely, but if you want an even firmer hold, a small spot of glue will do the trick.
The model costs £20 for the model only, or £40 for the model plus chassis. UK postage is £3.45. I’ve set up rates for international postage, it should display these when you add the model to the basket.
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