Another A1 Models diesel - part 1 introduction.

A while back I turned up some insulated wheels as an experiment. In fact I made a full set, two insulated and two solid metal, so that I could use them in a chassis and test them properly. Well, if I was going to make a chassis then I'd need a body to go on that chassis, so after quick look at A1 Models ebay shop I chose kit no.70;

I quite like the modern design, spacious cab and sloping bonnet, and can see some potential for detailing. Its designed to sit on a Kato 11-103 tram chassis, which means that there's plenty of room to play with inside. By using a scratchbuilt chassis I'll have to make a new footplate, there is one supplied but its specific to the Kato product, in fact everything below footplate level will be scratchbuilt in brass. Bufferbeams aren't supplied anyway.
As the kit is semi freelance (based on a Baguley but with the bonnet altered), I have a free hand when it comes to the chassis and detailing the body.

I've made a start on the chassis, and I've already hit an unforeseen problem, which I'll describe in my next post.

Paul.