Powered Motorized Chassis KATO 11-106 (japan import)

Works great! First model train I’ve gotten that has a motor so I can pull the little cars I’ve collected :) (used a 9 volt battery hooked up to tracks and I have zero complaints!)

I used the Kato 11-106 to bash up a powered “ghost” or “pusher” boxcar to help my steam engine pull long trains up the 4% grades of my layout - I fabricated a 30’ reefer ( not prototypical, I know, but doesn't look half bad...!) from a 36’ wood sided reefer by carefully cutting two 3’ sections out from each end about halfway between the door and the ends with a razor saw then carefully gluing it back together with MEK. Painted and lettered and it passes inspection of probably 99 people out of 100... and does what I wanted beautifully! My big 2-6-6-2 can now crawl up into my mountain pass with 20 cars, when before it was slipping and stalling out with just six. I run old-school DC, btw, would have no idea how you’d solder in a decoder if you were trying to DCC-ify things... Plus, fast and courteous shipping direct from Japan - all this for less than $20! Thanks for reading!

Because of light weight, it doesn't stay on track at fast speed. Also, no pulling power.

I bought this just to play with, and to move stock around a layout. Surprisingly strong! By itself it is lightweight, and tends to derail if run too fast. It wiil make a great drive unit for whatever.

Works excellently. The motor could be a bit smaller. I used a 3D printed shell on top.

The motor in the locomotive overheated when train was left running. Kids added a large number of cars to the train and left it running at full power for a long time. Needed to do some trimming of the locomotive insides but got motor to fit. Runs great. I also got another unit to motorized the caboose.

I put these in smaller cars to use as a pusher on longer trains

If you’re looking for a cheap shell, the Tsumu can be used with minimal modification to work perfectly with the motor. You can grab one off EBay or from an import site for the US since I don’t think they’re on Amazon. Great for any JNR railways or if you can sneak it in with your other freight cars.