Kato / Tomix

Dear Jamie,

Firstly, welcome to MRH!

Re SMR streetcars in N, suggest you check in on the range of powered N scale mechs by Kato and Tomix. They have small self-contained 4-whl "underfloor" mechs in various lengths, with wheel dia which could work. There is also the "Portram" range of (admittedly more-modern era) Street tram models with incredibly tiny mechs, just begging to be kitbashed/repurposed...

That these donor models are reasonable available at decent prices makes them quite attractive for the lateral-thinking modeller. Indeed some HO scale narrow-gauge (HOn30) modellers have used them as the basis for tiny industrial and logging/mining locos with some success.

A quick Google will get you the references,...

Happy Modelling,

Aim to Improve,

Prof Klyzlr

Tramfabriek

Tramfabriek Home

These guys may be able to help

Best wishes 

Eric 

Thanks for that pointer -

Thanks for that pointer - they seem to have precisely what I need.

Yes, thanks.  those are both

Yes, thanks.  those are both great pointers.  BTW, CandOfan, if you are looking at similar parts, check out these two I found.  

https://modelisme.shop/epages/0d0ec28d-f13d-493d-9dc2-9fb4695e2062.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=Categories

https://www.didel.com/07gears/

@Eric.......

........wow, what a great source for re-motoring!  It would be great if there was a site like that for larger HO and O scale!  Since Eldon Shirey "the Motorman" has passed, I have not been able to find a good source for motors.

Peter

@herronp

Peter

For larger sizes, you might want to have a look at High Level Models

SHOP | Mainsite (highlevelkits.co.uk)

I've had good success with this company over in Poland.

I've had good success with this company over in Poland:  Mikro Antriebe by KK Produkcja

I bought a small brass gear to customize the gear train on a Bachmann Gandy Dancer that I converted into a Fairmont Speeder.  Shipping to the USA was fast and I'd definitely use them again.  They can make anything, prices are rather inexpensive, and they do specialize in model stuff.

Good luck!

@ Coastie53

Good to hear of the success you had with Mikro Antriebe. I've been to there site many times but was a bit hesitant on buying anything. Thanks for the info.

Bernd

Not a typical source, but ...

I was impressed with the little motors in these and they have a couple of gears. I thought they’d be too expensive to cannibalize until I looked at the prices in some of the links in this thread.  Might be worth writing the manufacturer to see if they would sell the motors separately.  Here are the details:  MP5

nice

This is exactly what I was hoping for.  Huge selection, and the site is even navigable.

Thanks! 

Very curious to hear about this more!

I'm excited to see another traction fan- though admittedly I'm not doing much modeling at the moment. I've certainly heard one way or another that those Japanese N scale tram mechanisms are very reliable, but N isn't one of my scales so it's never been of great concern to me! Do keep us posted on how your modeling comes 

Aru Model

I only bought some On30 kits from Aru Model, but they also have some N scale range, including N or HOn30 powered chassis.

http://arumo.a.la9.jp/

HOn30 or N chassis:

http://arumo.a.la9.jp/ar5.htm

You may also be interested by their two N scale kits of old trams:

http://arumo.a.la9.jp/rn0141.html

http://arumo.a.la9.jp/rn0102.htm

The first one need a Kato power chassis, but the second use a special one:

http://arumo.a.la9.jp/rn0078a.htm

Aru Model also offers some finish models, but their kits are very easy compared to other. And the power chassis kit I have is only assembled with screws.

The guy speak (at least write) English, and if he doesn't have English build notice, he always gave a Google translation of the document (and with the images it is already quite comprehensible).

I don't know for export, I always bought by going to Tenshodo, but it should be possible via Tenshodo or Hobby Search if Aru Model don't export directly.

By the way, look at this page of Hobby Search, you may find what you want:

https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/search?typ1_c=104&cat=&target=Series&searchkey=Parts+(Power+Unit)&spage=1&sold=1

If you want to build your own,Nigel Lawton 009 has some stuff

http://www.nigellawton009.com/DriveComponents.html