I have a Model Power trolley and a Bachmann trolley. Neither worth a single sheet of toilet paper. I know Kato made one but are no where to be found. Can the MP one be made to run somewhere near decent? The thing squeels like crazy! :angry:
Oldrk I wonder if one of the Kato 4-axle power chassis would fit under that Model Power trolley shell? The Kato power chasses run pretty well. Last time I was in their shop, George and Debra of Wig-Wag had several in stock. Just a thought.
I'd recommend you look at this resource for ideas - the NCAT website. These guys have been at this for a while: http://www.teamsavage.com/ncat/ncat.html Tom was my supplier for my very first Kato 11-105 critter mech. He's got pages in there on some trolley conversions and other ideas. The Kato has the advantage of those tiny 27" wheels and that 5'6" wheelbase on the single-truck drive. Next bigger one is the Tomytec TM-XX series, with about a 33" wheel and a 7' wheelbase, but those have a flywheel that helps, too. The Japanese have been doing little trams and interurban mechanisms for years, we're just catching on now. I'd highly recommend researching the Kato, Tomix & Greenmax resources online, and you'll find something that will work. As long as you have full body height and width, you can work with it fairly easily. Its only when you're trying to jam stuff in narrow and low diesel hoods that it gets dicey. The 8-wheel Kato critters are a sure bet, I suspect. The plastic frames on those can also be cut shorter or longer to fit specific applications without severly messing up the mechanism. I splice the driveshafts with 1/16" brass tubing if necessary to fit the length change. The 4-wheel 11-103/4 mechanisms are nowhere near as good. They have a nice 12v motor, and a short wheelbase (about 17 feet) but are rigid as heck, leading to stalling. If you can marry two together, or come up with a pickup car, they can work just fine though. I used one under my Trackmobile, with a wheel swap for tiny 27" wheels.
Also, if you're up for it, Modemo make some very nice Japanese prototype trolleys, in both 3-truck (articulated) and 2-truck styles which could probably be kitbashed. Although the Kato, Tomix & Greenmax mechanisms would probably be more straightforward and ultimately less work. I've been getting allot of this stuff from the Plaza Japan eBay store, and have not been dissapointed. He carries allot of the motorized chassis: http://stores.ebay.com/Plaza-Japan_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZQ2d999QQftidZ2QQtZkm Good luck! -Cody
Tomix makes four sets of trollys (The Railroad Collections). Each set has about a dozen individual cars or sets of two. The Tomix chassis fits these intentionally, although not well advertised. The chassis also has a selection of truck sides as well. You have to be careful to order the right size chassis as there are three or four lengths available. Plaza Japan doesn't have any sets listed today (they are about $45 for a dozen cars). Hobby search has set 4 right now (http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10054323) I have had excellent service from both places and buy from them all of the time. Be sure to pay a little extra for EMS (Express) shipping or you will wait forever if by slow boat. Many of these models are dead ringers for some American types. Pantographs that come with them can be replaced by more detailed metal Tomix pantographs as well. Tomix and Modemo make a number of completed trollys...be sure to look at all of the items available on the web sites. Most things are well illustrated Regards, Steve E.
