009 Prototype Maintenance / Inspection car for KATO 103 - OO9

This is a OO9 Maintenance car that requires the older KATO 103 chassis. It fits easily into place onto the chassis and clips into place and is held by the sub chassis. The main body is a drop fit onto the sub-chassis and allows for painting prior to assembly. In addition there is a seperate load for the rear that covers the Kato motor and features a hydraulic jib, an oil drum , excavator trenching bucket and a box. Suitable items for trackside maintenance. The kit is printed using high detail resin in the UK , see my other listing if you want to use one with the later KATO 109 chassis instead.

The sale is for the body, sub-chassis and loading area only, it is unpainted and supplied without the KATO chassis which is shown for information only.

The first picture shows the kit painted and there is one with a coat of grey primer so you can see how good the finish is.

May require some minor finishing if required before painting. Condition is New and is dispatched by Royal Mail for worldwide). Our packaging is Eco friendly, the exterior packing is made in part from Recycled Materials and is fully recyclable, the interior packing materials are acid free and made from 99% recycled pulp fibres.

Finishing: All items are cleaned and cured by hand. They are unassembled (if needed). Ready for you to prime and paint.

FAQ – Product FAQs

OO9 Maintenance Car – Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is included in this OO9 Maintenance car kit?

The kit includes the resin-printed OO9 Maintenance car body, the sub-chassis and the separate rear loading area with hydraulic jib, oil drum, excavator trenching bucket and box. All parts are supplied unassembled (where applicable), unprimed and unpainted, with all printing supports removed. The KATO chassis is not included and is shown in photos for information only.

Which chassis does this body fit?

This maintenance car is designed specifically to fit the older KATO 103 chassis. It clips onto the chassis and is held in place by the sub-chassis. If you want to use the later KATO 109 chassis instead, please refer to the separate listing made for that version.

What scale is this model?

This is a OO9 model, suitable for narrow gauge layouts using OO scale bodies on N gauge track. It is intended as a trackside maintenance vehicle with appropriate detailing on the rear load.

Is the model pre-assembled or do I need to build it?

The parts are supplied unassembled where needed. The main body is a drop fit onto the sub-chassis, and the separate rear load drops over the KATO motor area. This allows you to paint the components prior to final assembly.

Is the model painted or primed when it arrives?

No, all pieces come unprimed and unpainted. The photos showing painted and grey-primed examples are for illustration so you can see the level of detail and finish. The kit is ready for you to prime and paint in your own livery.

Where is the kit produced and how is it shipped?

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

Why won’t the body fit properly on my chassis?

First, check that you are using the correct older KATO 103 chassis; this body is not designed for the KATO 109. Ensure the chassis is clean and free of flash or burrs, and that the sub-chassis is seated correctly. The main body is a drop fit onto the sub-chassis and should clip into place without force. If it still does not fit, very light sanding of any tiny high spots on the resin may help.

The clips don’t seem to hold the body firmly. What should I do?

Make sure the sub-chassis is fully engaged with the KATO 103 chassis and that there are no obstructions. The body should sit squarely on the sub-chassis before you press it down to clip. Do not force it; instead, check for any small bits of resin or paint build-up that may need gently removing with a fine file or sanding stick.

The rear load doesn’t sit flat over the motor area.

Check that the KATO motor housing is clean and that there is no stray material or wiring obstructing the load. The separate load is designed to cover the KATO motor, so it should drop into place. If it rocks slightly, inspect the underside for tiny print nubs and carefully sand them flat until the load sits level.

The resin surface shows faint support marks. Is this normal?

All items are cleaned and cured by hand, and we do our very best to remove support marks. However, some very fine sanding may still be required before priming to achieve the smoothest finish. This is normal for detailed resin prints.

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

If the piece is broken in transit, please take clear photos of the damage and packaging and get in touch. While resin is delicate and we cannot be responsible for breakages after safe delivery, we will do our best to help make things good when damage occurs in the post.

How should I prepare the resin parts before painting?

Although all supports are removed and parts are cleaned and cured by hand, it is still good practice to:

• Inspect all parts under good light for any faint support marks.
• Gently sand any imperfections with fine grit abrasive.
• Ensure the parts are free from dust before priming.

Once you are happy with the surface, you can apply your chosen primer.

What type of primer and paint should I use?

Use a primer suitable for resin miniatures or plastic models, applied in light coats. After priming, most hobby acrylic or enamel paints designed for model railways and miniatures will work well. Always follow the paint manufacturer’s instructions and test on a hidden area if unsure.

Should I assemble before or after painting?

The kit is designed so that the main body, sub-chassis and rear load can be painted separately before final assembly. Many modellers find it easier to:

• Prime and paint the body, sub-chassis and load separately.
• Detail-paint the hydraulic jib, oil drum, trenching bucket and box.
• Then drop-fit and clip the parts together once fully dry.

Do I need to glue any parts?

The body is designed as a drop fit onto the sub-chassis, and the sub-chassis holds onto the KATO 103 chassis by clipping. The rear load also drops into place. Many modellers run the car without glue so it remains removable for maintenance, but you can use small amounts of suitable model glue if you want a permanent assembly. Avoid getting glue on moving chassis parts.

How can I protect the finished model from damage?

Resin can be delicate, so handle the model by the sturdier areas and avoid dropping it. A clear varnish coat over your finished paintwork can help protect the surface. Store and transport the model in a padded box, especially around the finer details like the hydraulic jib and accessories on the rear load.