Hello All:

I was wondering if anyone has had (or is currently having) a relationship with PIKO models? What I'm curious about would be to see if PIKO steam engines have their drives in the engine (like Marklin's) or in the tender (like ROCO)? I'm currently looking to purchase a BR 01.5 (Reko) Locomotive and have tracked the item down to 2 manufacturers (PIKO and ROCO). ROCO's item, #69265, has all of the extras that I love, while PIKO's, #50404, doesn't, but it comes in at about $100.00 less. I don't know if any other manufacturer's have or are planning to have this gem on their production lists.

Ultimately, I would prefer Marklin to offer this Lok, but right now, I don't see this happening

Thanks

I have a few.

The Br82 0 10 0 tank loc is a very fine die cast model,smooth powerful and apart from the odd fine bit of detail that has fallen off probably my best steam non marklin loco.

I also have a little Kwste green 0 6 0 ,very smooth but its decoder did blow once.

Drives tend to be worm and gear not gear chain.All in all I am K about them,a bit like Skodas , the old reputation has taken a while to die down.

The 0 8 0 Belgian tender loco in the basic range is also OK but the level of detail so not high,motorized tender not my favorite power option but again runs very smooth, and is very cheap.

I will probably when things improve ,get one or two more as they have some nice models ...

How are your Piko locos and cars behaving in Märklin turnouts?
We have 3 Piko 2-axle passenger cars from Honecker-era, that liked to derail in M-track switches. After replacing the wheels and couplings they are usable.

BR, Juha

I have Piko locos passenger and freight cars, but no steamers. The freight wagons are good if you change the wheels, otherwise they tend to jump on turnouts. The bogie coaches are OK with the original wheels, due to the short wheelbase of the bogies.

Loco performance is good in the later models with better decoders. I have an older "hobby" Taurus with the old ANDI decoder which is not very good. I got it because it was about 1/3 the price of a Marklin Taurus. I might get their Br101 as well, as it is also very good value.

According to their product database it's a typical Roco steamer: two tender axles and three loco axles driven from one engine in the tender.
I prefer that over the "tender only" drive which e. g. Fleischmann locos typically have.

Robert,

Thanks for the informative "Blauer Blit" website.

Seing it is in german,

I've extended the "Blauer Blitz" website by seperating the photo section.

Lots of nice photos from various trains and locations.

http://schienenfahrzeuge...details.php?image_id=821

Scroll down the website and you see the names of the individual photo gallery.

Lots of ideas for the modeller.

Here is my solution for the M-track preserver society and a hint for the modeller with high regards towards detailed perfections.

Every Märklin loco should have these bogies to absorb and level out any track irregularieties


This photo can be used for the modeller who uses detailed, recreated and prototypical objects to enhance his or her layout.




Every Märklin loco should have this in the drivers cockpit or the CS 2.






I've finished my shift but it's too cold outside and I'll stay in my comfort zone.


John