Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

N scale Train Chassis and Shells

1453 views
8 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    November 2019
  • 10 posts
N scale Train Chassis and Shells
Posted by Famaz00 on Thursday, February 27, 2020 10:23 AM

Hi SO I'm wondering if you can take any Diesel Locomotive like an F-7 and put it onto any chassis For another F-7.  Does anybody know.

  • Member since
    January 2020
  • 14 posts
Posted by NSNYSW74 on Thursday, February 27, 2020 5:27 PM
Some are direct fits where others need some fabrication. If you could let us know the make of the shell & new chassis, I'm sure others who may have done it already would chime in. Also what scale?
  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
  • 8,253 posts
Posted by mbinsewi on Thursday, February 27, 2020 8:22 PM

IN HO, it can happen, maybe with a little tweeking on how it mounts, and stays there, so you can pick it up by the shell.

In N scale..???  No clue.....I model HO.

Just thought I'd give your post a "bump" to the top.

Mike.

  • Member since
    November 2019
  • 10 posts
Posted by Famaz00 on Tuesday, March 3, 2020 3:47 PM

The train I am wanting to do in a vintage Minitrix F7 Diesel that was sold in america under the Auroroa Postage stamp and am just trying to get the engine to work again on a different F7 Diesel in n scale.  the engine means a lot to me but i dont have the know how to put a new motor in which it desperetly needed for years

  • Member since
    November 2019
  • 10 posts
Posted by Famaz00 on Tuesday, April 14, 2020 1:25 PM

Bump

  • Member since
    April 2018
  • From: 53° 33′ N, 10° 0′ E
  • 2,508 posts
Posted by Tinplate Toddler on Tuesday, April 14, 2020 2:11 PM

N scale bodies and chassis are a tight and bespoke fit, so fitting a drive mechanism from another manufacturer to your Minitrix F7 shell will require a substantial amout of modification. Spare parts are no longer available from the manufacturer. My best advice is to check the auction sites and buy a replacement Minitrix chassis.

Happy times!

Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)

"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"

  • Member since
    March 2012
  • 716 posts
Posted by trwroute on Wednesday, April 15, 2020 6:12 AM

I haven't owned a Trix F unit since Kato released their first ones around 1989.  But if I remember correctly, the body is a little shorter on the Trix F, so I'm pretty sure the Kato mechanism won't fit.  There may be another non-F unit chassis that might fit, but that will take some work to get it to attach to the shell.
I think you would be better off trying to repower the original drive with a Kato motor.  Doing it yourself is a good learning experience.  

Chuck - Modeling in HO scale and anything narrow gauge

  • Member since
    September 2013
  • 2,505 posts
Posted by caldreamer on Wednesday, April 15, 2020 8:14 AM

I have placed non DCC shells on a DCC chassis.  For example, the Minitrix U30CG shell on a Kato SD40 drive.  I had to shim the inside of the shells with thin strips of plastic to make sure the shell was snug to the drive.  Just find a drive that the shell will fit on. 

   Caldreamer

  • Member since
    April 2018
  • From: 53° 33′ N, 10° 0′ E
  • 2,508 posts
Posted by Tinplate Toddler on Wednesday, April 15, 2020 8:40 AM

caldreamer
Just find a drive that the shell will fit on.

That is what the OP was hoping to get the answer for.

Happy times!

Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)

"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!