OO9 009 French Styled Loco-Tracteur For KATO 109

This is a 009 Loco body inspired by the 1937 Brissonneau-et-Lotz (pictured), which was a retrofit diesel onto a steam loco. This one however is for mounting onto a KATO 109 chassis.  The first picture shows a painted example, this kit is for an unpainted kit.

FAQ – Product FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is included in this kit?

The kit includes the 009 loco body, the diesel-inspired motor cover and the sub-chassis. It is supplied unpainted and unprimed, with all printing supports removed. The KATO 109 chassis shown in photos is not included and is for illustration only.

Which chassis does this body fit?

This body is designed specifically to mount onto a KATO 109 chassis. It clips securely onto the KATO chassis and the body is then a push-fit onto the sub-chassis. If you are using an earlier KATO 103 chassis, please see the separate listing made for that version.

Is this model based on a real locomotive?

Yes. The body is inspired by the 1937 Brissonneau-et-Lotz retrofit diesel on a steam locomotive. The kit includes a diesel-inspired motor cover similar to the real loco, with one door left open so you can see the motor inside once mounted on the chassis.

What scale and gauge is this for?

This is a 009 loco body, intended for 4 mm scale narrow gauge modelling using the KATO 109 chassis as the running gear.

Is the model supplied assembled?

No. The parts are supplied unassembled where needed. They are cleaned and cured by hand and are ready for you to carry out any minor finishing, then prime, paint and assemble onto your KATO 109 chassis.

Where is the kit produced and how is it shipped?

The kit is printed in high-detail resin in the UK and dispatched by Royal Mail within the UK and worldwide. Eco-friendly packaging is used: the outer packaging is partly made from recycled materials and is fully recyclable, and the inner packing is acid-free and made from 99% recycled pulp fibres.

The body does not seem to clip fully onto my KATO 109 chassis, what should I check?

First ensure that the KATO 109 chassis is correctly assembled and that there are no stray bits of flash, paint or debris on the chassis or inside the sub-chassis. The body and sub-chassis are designed as a clip and push-fit, so they should seat without force. If it still feels tight, check for any small resin nubs and gently remove them with a fine file or sanding stick, taking care not to remove any major detail.

The surface looks slightly rough in places, is this normal?

All items are cleaned, cured and supplied with supports removed, but some very slight support marks or print artefacts can remain. This is normal for high-detail resin prints. A little fine sanding or polishing in those areas before priming will usually give a smooth finish ready for painting.

My model arrived with a part broken, what should I do?

If the piece has been damaged in the post, please take clear photos of the damage and the packaging as received and get in touch. While we cannot be responsible for breakages after safe delivery, we will always do our best to help put things right when damage occurs in transit.

The resin feels delicate; can I reinforce it?

Resin is naturally more brittle than styrene, so handle the model by the stronger areas such as the sub-chassis rather than fine details. If you wish to reinforce certain parts, you can carefully back them with a small amount of thick cyanoacrylate (superglue) or epoxy on the inside, avoiding visible surfaces and moving parts of the KATO chassis.

The body seems slightly warped; can it be straightened?

Minor warping can sometimes be corrected by very gently warming the part in hand-hot (not boiling) water for a short time, then carefully bending it back to shape and holding it in position under cool running water. Always test on a small area first and avoid excessive heat, which can damage the resin.

Do I need to wash the parts before painting?

The parts are cleaned and cured by hand before dispatch, so in many cases you can prime directly. However, for best results, a quick wash in lukewarm water with a drop of mild detergent, followed by a thorough rinse and air dry, helps remove any remaining handling oils or dust before priming.

How should I prepare the body before priming?

Inspect the model under good light and lightly sand any remaining support marks or rough patches with fine abrasive (around 800–1200 grit). Rinse off any dust and allow to dry completely. Once dry, you can apply your chosen primer in light coats to preserve the fine detail.

What type of primer and paint works best on this resin?

Most hobby acrylic or enamel primers formulated for plastic work well on cured resin. Use a plastic-compatible primer in thin coats, then follow with your preferred model paints. Always test on an unseen area first to check adhesion and finish.

Can I paint the parts before fitting them to the KATO 109 chassis?

Yes, and this is one of the advantages of the design. The body clips to the sub-chassis, which in turn fits onto the KATO 109 chassis. You can paint the body, motor cover and sub-chassis separately before final assembly, making it easier to reach all the details and to keep paint away from the moving parts of the chassis.

Any tips for detailing the open motor door area?

The open door is designed so you can see the motor once the body is mounted on the KATO 109 chassis. For a neat finish, you can:

• Paint the interior around the motor in a dark colour to frame the mechanism.
• Pick out any visible structural details with slightly lighter tones for depth.
• Avoid heavy paint build-up on edges so the door and surrounding detail stay crisp.