November  2002
In the first chapter we described the background for the project and how we at last found a chassis that could be converted. 

The chassis we will use in the project is a Kato 20 meters chassis,
item nr. 11-102 with a price around 30$.
It is a standard chassis that is used in many of Katos Multiple Units trains. The profile is really low which makes it  possible to make a nice see-through body if necessary. But the prototype has dark tinted windows and in N-scale it could be enough to have black-painted windows, but still the possibilty is there.  

On the picture above shows the chassis with the details taken apart 
together with the first testing body, printed on plain paper.
 
The chassis before  ........

The central  5-pole motor is driving on all eight wheels via two driving axles on the lower side of the chassis. The wheelbase is 95 mm and have to be extended to 119 mm to fit the Regina. The idea is to cut the chassis and one driving axle and then extend both. Extension of the driving axle
	One of the bogies with its green driving axle.
The axle is cut apart in two eqaul pieces and is joined with a styren tube, 34 mm in lenght. (Evergreen Strip styren - 3/32 Tube .093 dia, fits exactly). A drop of glue or solvent is put in the tube ends and the two pieces is put into the tube down to the square boxes on the axles.
Extension of the chassis Take away all parts from the chassis, including the motor. Then cut the chassis in two parts with a hacksaw .
	The new axle is now thicker than before. To make enough space the axle to move with the bogies. the marked space has to be milled out  to make it a little bit wider and deeper.
The extension is made with 4 pieces of 3 mm L-shaped brass profiles. The profiles were superglued to the chassis at the the edges above and underneath. If anyone likes soldering, I think that would work nice too.
The plastic upper part with the metal tounges is cut the same way. The tounges are reconnected with a thin wire, soldered at each tounge.
Mockup Now its time to make a mockup for the future body where it is possible to try out functions, sizes and how to attach the body to the chassis. This temporary body is built of  cardboard with computerprinted sides. The front is loose for further experiments with the design.
The model on the line for the first tests.
Conclusion so far .... December  2002  This is the end of first phase. I am rather satisfied with the chassis and hopeful to be able to produce a couple of bodys for the unit but iIt will now take a while until any development will show.   There are a few factors and questions to face A dummy chassis has to be built for the second wagon. Should there be glazed windows or just painted / printed ? The way to build the sides depends on that answer. How to attach the body to the chassis? Is it possible to use the Tomix close-couplings I already have ? Can I make a mould to reproduce the curved forms of the front and the roof for several units ?
	Photos: Olle Frykmo nov 2002

Next chapter, restart with new technique  --->