Improving a Piko BR80

AddictiveBiscuit

AddictiveBiscuit

Steam Locos, Armoured Vehicles and Aviation
I bought a load of bits and bobs and this BR80 came with, I've never been overly happy with the appearance, but I've painted up the rods and a few small bits and its looks better. I feel as if there is room for improvement, has anyone else painted these up a bit? I am tempted to paint the boiler bands gold.. The bit that sticks out of the middle driver is bugging me as well, want to do something about that. br80 piko.png
 
That's a vast improvement over the factory product. Why is the hex nut sticking out as far as it is on the center driver ? I presume that's the "bit" you are speaking of.
 
That's to allow the centre flanged wheel to move in and out to accommodate R1 curves, and to allow the coupling to connect and move when it is at one extreme or the other. Even so it still grinds around R1 curves. Not sure how you fix that. I guess you could replace the centre wheels with flange-less ones then you could reduce the play, or make the nuts smaller or paint them red to disguise them a bit?
I like my BR80 as it is, it's the loco of choice for the kids to play with as it is practically indestructible.
 
There is another possibility: someone has had it to bits and not pushed the nut right the way home (they need a good push). Go on, you're dying to know how I know... mine fell off!

Piko BR80.jpg
 
pugwash said:
There is another possibility: someone has had it to bits and not pushed the nut right the way home (they need a good push). Go on, you're dying to know how I know... mine fell off!
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Well, when yer nuts fall off you can say that you're well and truly knackered :mask::mask::mask:
 
Tends to affect your motion! ;)

Getting spare motion parts for these is a PITA..
 
Rhinochugger said:
Well, when yer nuts fall off you can say that you're well and truly knackered :mask::mask::mask:
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Oooo, feel the pain :oops:
Actually we are all slightly wrong, they are in fact simple push-fit connectors, you could spend all day going at them with a spanner. God knows why Piko chose that shape and must have a hangup about size :tmi:
 
I had a go at painting the buffers, I did this free hand! I'm going to try get a template and do it again.. BR 80 Piko.jpg
 
Painted the boiler bands and the connecting rods, I'm happy with it now! Just needs a whistle now and something doing to the smokebox.
16880911_1592544824093864_469343524_o.jpg
 
With German prices being what they are I wonder if anyone like me has considered this as a Cheeper starter for a mod to a Harz 0-6-0?
image.jpeg
Would be a fun project I reckon, for me it would have to be a very new 80 with plated Wheels if such a beast exists. Or perhaps a Battery Conversion if I got an oldie.
JonD
 
A huge amount of work but an interesting project. It depend how close yopu want to get - the wheels are wrong but thats probably minor. The cab, buffer beams, boiler, dome, fittings, funnel - its all actually wrong Jon!
 
I've been wondering if there is any narrow gauge locos similar to the BR80 as it's a bit out of place with my stock. But I've never been able to find anything. I was slightly confused when I found the narrow gauge buffers that came with it.
 
stockers said:
A huge amount of work but an interesting project. It depend how close yopu want to get - the wheels are wrong but thats probably minor. The cab, buffer beams, boiler, dome, fittings, funnel - its all actually wrong Jon!
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Couse it is, but there is the Challenge!
JonD
 
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