OO9 Commer Van railcar kit - suitable for a trimmed KATO 109 chassis - 009

Industrial railways have always been innovative and this is a conceptual plan to convert a Commer FC spacevan into a useful maintenance and inspection railcar. Similar vehicles were made on the continent and this could have been a home grown solution. The model sits on shortened KATO 109 chassis which is very easy to do. As ever Rule #1 can determine if this appears on your layout and the Commer was introduced in 1960. There are pictures showing a shortened chassis.  Pop out the motor and cut down the plastic body to 42mm and refit the chassis. The shortened unit then will click easily into the chassis holder. The body is then a drop fit onto the sub chassis to allow for painting prior to assembly. For glazing the kit comes with two options. The first is a vac formed clear plastic screen and rear windows. This needs to be trimmed with a sharp scalpel along the edge lines, pictures showing the cut version are in the sets of pics. If you dont want to use these, then  a solid set of windows is supplied, painted versions of these can also be seen. The kit is printed using high detail resin in the UK. 

The sale is for the body, sub-chassis and windows only, it is unpainted and without the Kato chassis which is shown for information purposes only.

The pictures of painted vehicles (not included in sale) are for information only as is the diorama.

The kit may require some minor finishing if required before painting. Condition is New and is dispatched by Royal Mail in the UK and 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. 

FAQ – Product FAQs

Commer FC Spacevan Industrial Railcar Kit – FAQ

What exactly is included in this kit?

The sale is for the Commer FC railcar body, the matching sub‑chassis and both sets of window options (vac‑formed clear glazing and solid windows). The kit is supplied unassembled (where applicable), unprimed and unpainted, with all printing supports removed.

Is the KATO 109 chassis included?

No. The KATO 109 chassis is shown in the photos for information only and is not included in the sale. You will need to supply your own KATO 109 chassis and shorten it as described in the product information.

What era and prototype does this model suit?

The kit represents a conceptual industrial railway conversion of a Commer FC spacevan into a maintenance and inspection railcar. The Commer was introduced in 1960, so it is most at home on layouts from the 1960s onwards, depending on how you choose to finish and letter it.

How is the kit produced?

The kit is printed in the UK using high detail resin. Each item is cleaned and cured by hand, with all supports removed before dispatch. Some very minor finishing may still be required before painting.

How is the item packaged and shipped?

Orders are dispatched by Royal Mail in the UK and via Royal Mail for worldwide destinations. Packaging is eco‑friendly: the outer packaging is made in part from recycled materials and is fully recyclable, while the interior packing materials are acid‑free and made from 99% recycled pulp fibres.

Is this kit ready to run?

No. This is a body kit intended for modellers. It requires a shortened KATO 109 chassis (not supplied), some basic modelling tools and skills for assembly, finishing, priming and painting before it can be used on a layout.

My KATO 109 chassis doesn’t seem to fit – what should I check?

First, ensure you have shortened the KATO 109 chassis correctly. Pop out the motor, cut down the plastic body to 42 mm, then refit the chassis. The shortened unit should click easily into the chassis holder, and the Commer body should then drop onto the sub‑chassis. Check that no plastic swarf or uneven cuts are fouling the fit.

The body doesn’t “drop fit” onto the sub‑chassis – any tips?

Check for small printing nubs or paint build‑up on the mating surfaces. Lightly sand any high spots and make sure the sub‑chassis is fully seated on the shortened KATO unit. Test‑fit everything before painting, and only remove the minimum material needed for a snug, drop‑in fit.

The vac‑formed clear windows don’t sit neatly – what am I doing wrong?

The vac‑formed glazing needs to be trimmed carefully along the edge lines. Use a sharp scalpel and take very thin shavings rather than big cuts. Test‑fit frequently as you go. If you over‑trim or prefer a different look, you can switch to the supplied solid window set instead.

I can see faint support marks on the resin – is this normal?

All items are cleaned and cured by hand and supports are removed before shipping, but some fine support marks can remain. This is normal for high‑detail resin printing. A little gentle sanding with fine abrasive (e.g. 800–1200 grit) will usually remove them before priming.

My model arrived damaged in the post – what should I do?

If the piece appears to have been damaged in transit, please take clear photos of the damage and the packaging and get in touch. While we can’t be responsible for accidental damage once the item has arrived, we will do our best to help make things good where breakage has occurred in the post.

How do I shorten the KATO 109 chassis for this model?

Remove the motor from the KATO 109 chassis, then cut down the plastic body to 42 mm in length. Refit the chassis components, ensuring everything is square and free‑running. The shortened unit should then click into the chassis holder provided, ready for the Commer body to drop onto the sub‑chassis. Reference the product photos of the shortened chassis as a guide.

What are my options for glazing?

The kit includes two glazing options:

• Vac‑formed clear plastic windscreen and rear windows, which you trim along the moulded edge lines with a sharp scalpel.
• Solid window inserts, which can be painted to represent opaque or frosted glass, or used if you prefer not to work with vac‑formed parts.

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

Yes. Although items are cleaned, cured and support‑free, the kit may require minor finishing. Recommended steps:

• Inspect for fine support marks and gently sand them smooth.
• Test‑fit the body, sub‑chassis, chassis and glazing before any paint is applied.
• Wash parts in mild soapy water, rinse and allow to dry to remove any handling residue.

Can I paint the body before final assembly?

Yes, and that’s exactly how the kit is intended to be used. The body is a drop fit onto the sub‑chassis, which makes it easy to paint the body shell separately. Many modellers also paint the solid windows before fitting if they are using that option.

Any handling precautions for the resin parts?

Resin can be quite delicate, especially on finer details. Avoid dropping the parts or applying excessive force when test‑fitting or sanding. Work on a soft surface where possible and use gentle pressure when trimming or cleaning up the model.