OO9 009 Prototype Tram/ Railcar for KATO 103 / 109 / 105

FAQ – Product FAQs

OO9 Railcar Kit – Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is included with this OO9 railcar kit?

The kit includes the OO9 railcar body, separate roof and interior seating unit, brass rod for window guards and a simple bending jig for forming the guards. All parts are supplied unassembled (where applicable), unprimed and unpainted, with all printing supports removed.

Is a KATO chassis included with the kit?

No, the KATO chassis is not included. The sale is for the body, roof and interior only. Any KATO chassis shown in photos is for illustration purposes so you can see how the finished model looks.

Which KATO chassis will fit this railcar?

This railcar body is designed to use a KATO 103, 105 or 109 chassis for motive power. You simply choose which chassis option you prefer when ordering, then fit your own chassis into the body.

What scale and gauge is this railcar?

This is an OO9 railcar body kit, designed for OO scale on 9mm gauge track, using a suitable KATO chassis as the power unit.

Where are the models made and what material is used?

All models are printed in the UK using high-detail resin. Each item is cleaned and cured by hand and supplied ready for you to prime and paint.

How is the kit packaged and shipped?

The kit is dispatched by Royal Mail. Packaging is eco-friendly: the outer packaging is made in part from recycled materials and is fully recyclable, while the internal packing materials are acid-free and made from 99% recycled pulp fibres.

My KATO chassis feels loose or doesn’t clip in properly. What should I do?

The KATO 103, 105 and 109 chassis are designed to fit and clip into place, but tolerances can vary slightly. Check for any small bits of cured resin or flash inside the body and carefully remove them. Make sure the chassis is fully seated and square; gentle, even pressure at both ends usually helps it click into place without forcing it.

The roof doesn’t seem to sit correctly on the body. How can I fix this?

The roof is a simple push-fit. If it rocks or doesn’t sit flush, inspect the mating surfaces for tiny bumps or printing marks and lightly sand them flat. Avoid removing too much material; a few passes with fine sandpaper are usually enough to get a snug but removable fit.

The interior seating doesn’t drop into place over the motor. What could be wrong?

The interior unit is designed to drop in and cover the motor. Check that the chassis is fully clipped in and that no wires or parts are protruding above the motor. Make sure there is no paint build-up or resin residue on the underside of the seating; if needed, carefully sand the contact points until it sits level.

I can see faint support marks on the surface. Is this normal?

All supports are removed and each part is cleaned and cured by hand, but very fine support marks may still be visible on close inspection. This is normal for high-detail resin prints and can be smoothed with light sanding before priming.

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

Resin can be delicate and we cannot be responsible for damage after delivery, but if the piece is broken in the post, please take clear photos of the damage and packaging and get in touch. We will review the images and see what we can do to help.

Do I need to do any preparation before painting?

Yes. Although the parts are cleaned and cured, we recommend a quick wash in mild soapy water, a thorough rinse and full drying before priming. Some minor finishing, such as light sanding of support marks or joints, may be required for the best paint finish.

What type of primer and paint should I use on the resin parts?

Use a primer suitable for resin miniatures or plastic models, applied in thin coats. Once primed, you can use your preferred model paints (such as acrylics or enamels), again in light layers to avoid obscuring the fine detail.

How should I assemble and paint the roof and body?

The roof is designed as a push-fit so you can paint it separately from the body. Many modellers:

• Test-fit the roof and body first.
• Paint the body and roof as separate pieces.
• Complete any interior detailing.
• Push-fit the roof after all interior work is done.

Can I paint the interior seating separately and add figures?

Yes. The interior seating is separate so you can paint it on its own, add your own driver and passengers if you wish, and then drop the finished interior into place over the motor. This makes detailing and weathering much easier.

How do I fit the brass window guards using the bending jig?

The kit includes brass rod and a simple bending jig to help you form the window guards to the correct spacing. Gently bend the brass rod against the jig to create consistent, parallel bars, then insert them into the pre-formed 0.9 mm holes in the body. Once you are happy with the fit, secure them with a tiny amount of suitable adhesive.

Are the window guard holes already drilled in the body?

Yes. The body has 0.9 mm holes for the window rails, ready to accept the brass rod. You can choose whether or not to fit the guards depending on the level of detail you want.