OO9 009 Diema DS90 Style Diesel Locomotive Shunter Body For KATO 11-109

This is a 009 Diesel Shunter Body to use on a KATO 109 chassis. It has been designed to evoke the style of the Diema locos such as the DS90. These locos are very narrow in real life so some artisitic licence has been made to accomodate the Kato chassis.

FAQ – Product FAQs

009 Diesel Shunter Body for KATO 109 – Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is included with this 009 Diesel Shunter Body kit?

The kit includes the 009 diesel shunter body and the matching sub-chassis, printed in high-detail resin, plus a 3D driver figure based on a scan of a real person. It is supplied unassembled (if needed), unprimed and unpainted. The KATO 109 chassis, scenery and painted sample shown in photos are not included and are for illustration only.

Which chassis does this body fit?

This body is designed specifically to fit the KATO 109 chassis. It clips securely onto the KATO chassis, and the body then push-fits into the sub-chassis for a snug and reliable fit.

What prototype is this model based on?

The body has been designed to evoke the look and character of Diema diesel locomotives such as the DS90. Because the real locos are very narrow, some artistic licence has been used so that the body can accommodate the KATO 109 chassis while still capturing the Diema style.

Is the model ready to run out of the box?

No, this is a body and sub-chassis kit only. You will need to supply your own KATO 109 chassis and carry out basic assembly and painting. Once the body is fitted to a suitable chassis and painted, it will be ready to run on your 009 layout.

How is the kit manufactured?

The kit is printed in the UK using high-detail resin. All items are cleaned and cured by hand, and supports are removed before dispatch. Some minor finishing and fine sanding may still be required before painting.

How is the product packaged and shipped?

The model is dispatched by Royal Mail within the UK and by Royal Mail for worldwide orders. Packaging is eco-friendly: the outer packaging is partly made from recycled materials and is fully recyclable, and the internal packing materials are acid-free and made from 99% recycled pulp fibres.

What should I do if the body doesn’t seem to fit the KATO 109 chassis properly?

First, double-check that you are using the correct KATO 109 chassis. Ensure that the chassis is clean and free from flash or debris. The body is designed to clip easily into place on the chassis and then push-fit into the sub-chassis. If the fit is tight, gently check for any small resin nubs or printing remnants inside the body or on the sub-chassis and carefully remove them with a fine file or sanding stick. Do not force the parts together, as resin can be delicate.

The clips feel very tight. How can I avoid breaking them during assembly?

Resin parts can be fragile if stressed. When clipping the body onto the KATO chassis and into the sub-chassis, apply even pressure and support the part from behind. If the clips feel too tight, lightly ease the inside edges of the clip areas with very fine sandpaper. Test-fit gradually rather than pushing the body fully home in one go.

There are faint marks where supports were removed. Is this normal?

Yes, although we do our very best to remove support marks, some fine sanding may still be required. Use very fine abrasive paper or sanding sticks and work gently over the affected areas until smooth. This is a normal part of preparing a high-detail resin model for painting.

My model arrived damaged in the post. What should I do?

If the piece has been damaged during shipping, please take clear photos of the damage and the packaging as soon as possible. Contact us with these images and details of the issue, and we will do our best to help make things right. We cannot be responsible for breakages that occur after safe delivery to you.

How can I prevent the resin parts from breaking during use?

Handle the model with care, especially during assembly and painting. Avoid dropping the parts or placing heavy items on top of them. When removing or refitting the body to the chassis, support the model from underneath and avoid bending thin sections or details.

Do I need to do any cleaning before priming and painting?

All items are cleaned and cured by hand before dispatch, so they are ready for you to prime and paint. However, it is always good practice to give resin parts a quick rinse in lukewarm water with a drop of mild detergent, then let them dry thoroughly before priming, especially if you have handled them a lot during test fitting.

What kind of finishing work might be required before painting?

Although supports are removed and the parts are cleaned and cured, you may wish to carry out some minor finishing:

• Lightly sanding any remaining support marks or faint lines.
• Checking and easing tight-fitting areas such as clips or locating tabs.
• Inspecting for small surface imperfections and smoothing them with fine abrasives.

This helps you achieve the best possible finish once painted.

How should I assemble the body, sub-chassis and KATO 109 chassis?

Dry-fit everything first. Place the KATO 109 chassis into the sub-chassis so that it clips into place securely. Then carefully push-fit the diesel shunter body onto the sub-chassis, ensuring it is aligned and seated evenly. Because the body is a push fit, you can remove it again later for maintenance or repainting if needed.

Is it better to paint the model before or after fitting it to the chassis?

The design allows for easy painting prior to final assembly. Many modellers find it easiest to:

• Test-fit the body and sub-chassis on the KATO chassis.
• Disassemble and paint the body, driver and sub-chassis separately.
• Then reassemble everything once the paint is fully cured.

This approach helps you avoid getting paint on the working parts of the chassis.

How should I prepare the surface for painting?

After any minor sanding or clean-up, ensure the parts are dust-free and completely dry. Apply a suitable primer for resin models in light coats, allowing each coat to dry. Primer will help highlight any remaining imperfections that may need a final gentle sand before you move on to your chosen topcoat colours.

How can I paint and install the 3D driver figure?

It is usually easiest to paint the driver separately before final assembly. Use a fine brush and thin coats of paint to bring out the detail from the 3D scan. Once painted and fully dry, test-fit the driver in the cab area and secure with a small amount of suitable adhesive if required, taking care not to get glue on visible surfaces.

Can I remove the body later for repainting or maintenance?

Yes. The body is a push fit into the sub-chassis, which allows you to remove it carefully if you want to repaint, weather the model, or re-use the KATO 109 chassis under a different body in the future. Always support the model well and work slowly when separating the parts to avoid stressing the resin.