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N scale Train Chassis and Shells

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  • 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!"

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

Bump

  • 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
    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
    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
    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.

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