The new editions of the Roco SBB EWII have hit the stores this week. So far, the models of the EWII A (74560) and EWII AB (74561) have been released. The pair of EWII B (74562/74563) and EWII D (Baggage) should be released during week 15, which according to my calculations is this week.

The new models have more details on the gold coloured door inserts, including the rubber seal in the middle and the silver coloured handle.
The handrails seem to be the same as on the most recent versions of the 44495/44496 and the 64630/64631 models.
The roofs are painted silver and have the ventilators installed at the factory. Unlike the original 4328S/4239S, which had the ventilator as a user installed part.
I can't comment on the footboards based on the photos provided by Roco or on the web.
The footboards of the gangway connectors appear to be once again functional. On many Roco models over the past few years, the two part gangway was replaced by a single part that did not fold down.
Hopefully the models will include both sets of washroom fittings. On some of the earlier models (64630/31/32/33), the interior had one washroom removed, which was modified for the Papagei livery to make room for a bike rack. That design did not match the earlier green livery, which these new models once again represent.

74560: https://www.roco.cc/en/p...-0-0-003-1/products.html
74561: https://www.roco.cc/en/p...-0-0-003-1/products.html

I was hoping for the following improvements:
1) Optional window insert with open windows
2) Improved interior details with headrests
3) Built-in taillights or mount for SBB taillight
4) Metal handrails (The solution does seem similar to the ones on the Piko EWI (see below))

I will have to wait and see whether the green corresponds to prototype and how these coaches fit next to other SBB models (Roco, Lima, Hag, LSM, Piko, etc)

Today, I also saw the first set of photos of the announced Piko EWI coaches (96782):
http://roundhouse.ch/Gra...ko/2019/Piko_96782-2.jpg
http://roundhouse.ch/Gra...ko/2019/Piko_96782-3.jpg
http://roundhouse.ch/Gra...ko/2019/Piko_96782-4.jpg

These models seem well done. The coach ends are prototypical and the rendering is much nicer (AFAICT) than the earlier Lima/Hag and more recent Liliput models.
Based on these photos, I have increased my order from one set of coaches to two. One set will be used with the second set to make up a 5 coach consist comprised of EWI A, EWI WR and three EWII B. The second pair of EWI B will be used with either my BDe 4/4 (Hag) or the coming RBe 4/4 (LS Models) along with a matching pilot coach. I also ordered a second set of coaches in the NPZ livery. Those coaches will run either with my Re 4/4II/RailTop BDt or with my Piko RBe 540 S-Bahn Set.

The older Lima coaches will probably be relegated to other uses and the Liliput models will likely be retired.

The LS Models WR (Restaurant) and pilot coach (ABt/BDt/Bt/Dt/DZt) models are scheduled for future production.

Regards,

Mike C

The original Roco models came with a sheet of decals. I don't recall any of the Hag, Lima or Liliput models coming with any decals. As far as the new Piko ones, I will check my RBe 540/BDt set to see if there were any decals included. I do not recall seeing any the first time I took them out of their box.

I would guess that anybody who wanted destination signs, the old Roco ones could probably be used, as well as the decals from Maerklin's light steel coach models.

Regards

Mike C

I was looking at the photos on the Roco.cc website for the new and original SBB EWII models and noticed one difference.
The new models 74560/61/62/63 appear to have a new interior compared to the originals.

The original models had a single piece interior, which was in either brown, grey or red or red and green, depending on the model.
The new model seems to have the red and green smoker and non-smoker sections, but has a new transparent dividing wall between the sections, as can be seen here:




I have not seen any photos which show any improvements to the entry steps and the hand rails compared to the prior models.

Regards,

Mike C

I was informed that most of my ordered Piko SBB EWI coach sets are now available. Both of the sets in the blue/white/yellow NPZ livery and the set with a pair of EWI B in green livery with the modern <+> SBB CFF FFS logo have been delivered from Piko/Arwico to Swiss dealers.
I ordered one each of the NPZ sets to have a four coach consist that I can run with one of my Re 4/4II (420) locomotives. I also ordered a second set consisting of an AB and B to run with my Piko RBe 540 and EWII BDt pilot coach. I also ordered the set of green coaches.
It should be a couple of weeks before they are in my hands and I will be able to give them a test run.

Regards

Mike C

Mine arrived last week. Haven't had a chance to run them yet. I took one out and it looks good. Detail looks finer than on my HAG versions.

Roger

The intermediate coaches for RBe540 arrived and it's time to insert lighting. Obviously I don't want to spend 20 € for each Piko lighting strip, so I made it.
I see that the original Piko lighting uses 0402 size warm white LEDs, so I bought these ones.
Not identical to Piko's but I like it. And in case I can replace the LEDs on the Piko board with mine, same size.
On the left the original Piko pilot coach, on the right the new one. Piko's LEDs are more yellowish.



Next step adding current conducting couplers. And then replacing the strange Piko function decoder in the pilot.
No NEM socket of any kind, it's connected to PCB through two tiny single-in-line plugs, all wires black.



Which one, the EW IV ?

Regards