Piko BR64 Roll Out
- Thread starter whatlep
- Start date
garrymartin
My Family,Railways, Beer and the Seaside
It looks a fine, handsome locomotive but as said its standard gauge :brokeheart: 2-6-2 is my favourite wheel arrangement too:crying:
ntpntpntp
Registered
Something rather nice about the running gear, the wheels look good and the rodding is fine and detailed. Despite trying to keep to US outline stuff I do rather like it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQipLaag7uk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQipLaag7uk
whatlep
Registered
Some additional information I garnered this evening which may be of interest. First, the prototype's information is here, including a basic dimensional drawing:
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/DR-Baureihe_64
Much more information here:
http://www.bundesbahnzeit.de/page.php?id=Baureihe 064 < Link To http://www.bundesbahnzeit....php?id=Baureihe%20064
From that and Piko's dimensional drawing here: http://www.piko-shop.de/index.php?vw_type=artikel&vw_id=15196 < Link To http://www.piko-shop.de/i...rtikel&vw_id=15196 (see AbmaBe file in text), some scale conversions can be made.
Prototype gauge 1435mm: G version 45mm: scale 1:32
Prototype length over buffers 12500mm: G version 480mm: scale 1:26
Prototype wheelbase (leading-trailing wheels) 9000mm: G version 358: scale 1:25.1
Prototype height 4765mm: G version 170mm: scale 1:28 (*)
Prototype width ?mm: G version 105: scale ?
(*) - not measured from the same places: prototype to top of funnel; G version to top of cab
Rubber ruler applies as usual with what seems larger gaps between the main wheels and both pony trucks. To my subjective eye the loco doesn't quite have the squatness of the prototype due to the height/length scale variations, but the valve gear and main wheels are things of beauty. I also note from Piko's description on their website that this loco has a 7-pole Buhler motor and stainless steel drivers. Reads as if Piko have stepped up their offerings a notch with this loco. The valve gear seems to knock Train Line's new Mallet out of court......
There's a nice YouTube video of Piko's model in action in the link below. The loco shown appears to have running gear LEDs like the lGB Harz 2-10-2s!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyWbkhraoBk
Tempted? Oh yes!
In the meantime, here's one spotted stuffed and mounted at Frankfurt (Oder) station last April:
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/DR-Baureihe_64
Much more information here:
http://www.bundesbahnzeit.de/page.php?id=Baureihe 064 < Link To http://www.bundesbahnzeit....php?id=Baureihe%20064
From that and Piko's dimensional drawing here: http://www.piko-shop.de/index.php?vw_type=artikel&vw_id=15196 < Link To http://www.piko-shop.de/i...rtikel&vw_id=15196 (see AbmaBe file in text), some scale conversions can be made.
Prototype gauge 1435mm: G version 45mm: scale 1:32
Prototype length over buffers 12500mm: G version 480mm: scale 1:26
Prototype wheelbase (leading-trailing wheels) 9000mm: G version 358: scale 1:25.1
Prototype height 4765mm: G version 170mm: scale 1:28 (*)
Prototype width ?mm: G version 105: scale ?
(*) - not measured from the same places: prototype to top of funnel; G version to top of cab
Rubber ruler applies as usual with what seems larger gaps between the main wheels and both pony trucks. To my subjective eye the loco doesn't quite have the squatness of the prototype due to the height/length scale variations, but the valve gear and main wheels are things of beauty. I also note from Piko's description on their website that this loco has a 7-pole Buhler motor and stainless steel drivers. Reads as if Piko have stepped up their offerings a notch with this loco. The valve gear seems to knock Train Line's new Mallet out of court......
There's a nice YouTube video of Piko's model in action in the link below. The loco shown appears to have running gear LEDs like the lGB Harz 2-10-2s!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyWbkhraoBk
Tempted? Oh yes!
In the meantime, here's one spotted stuffed and mounted at Frankfurt (Oder) station last April:
I have to say that the vid of it running (the G Scale Version) certainly shows a regal progress along the track and I can understand how many would be attracted to it. In spite of the rubber rule. With 4 Thunderboxes what a great Train.
However anyone else thought that with a selection of spares I.E another of the front 4 wheels and Chassis parts, there is a good basis for the Molli Bahn 2-8-2t here. Shed load of work I know, but there is a lot that suggests the possibility. I even have a vague memory that the Molli 2-8-2t' s wee a NG Version of the Class 64.
JonD
However anyone else thought that with a selection of spares I.E another of the front 4 wheels and Chassis parts, there is a good basis for the Molli Bahn 2-8-2t here. Shed load of work I know, but there is a lot that suggests the possibility. I even have a vague memory that the Molli 2-8-2t' s wee a NG Version of the Class 64.
JonD
CoggesRailway
Registered
That is rather nice isn't it?
I would be interested to understand the business reasons on the german standard gauge focus. I guess the biggest market for garden rail in europe?
So how much money to have to slowly launder from the joint account for this one?
I would be interested to understand the business reasons on the german standard gauge focus. I guess the biggest market for garden rail in europe?
So how much money to have to slowly launder from the joint account for this one?
CoggesRailway
Registered
That good value for something with that apparent quality.
whatlep
Registered
PhilP said:
I doubt the prototypes had them. According to Piko's website, they are controlled by an on-off switch behind the smoke box door which hinges as per the real thing. The same location also contains another switch for the smoke generator (fitted as standard) and a variable resistor for a sound card (not fitted).
Seems to me that Piko have made a remarkable advance in their quality with this loco. Much finer detailing, Buhler motor and even ball-bearing wheelsets on the main drivers. Really quite remarkable value for money. My only hesitation about buying one is that having such large drivers it may end up looking somewhat 'out of scale' next to Ruritania's Mallets. Today will involve some serious measuring up!
P.S. Piko have recently extended their production facility in Sonneberg, Germany. It seems their trade is booming.
Zerogee
Clencher's Bogleman
Stainzmeister said:Piko's BR64 model makes their BR80 look clunky and toylike.
Agreed, the BR64 looks to be a massive improvement over their earlier steam offering - by the way, many thanks for the measurements and scale calculations, I've got no problem with "rubber ruler" designs as long as they look "right" to the eye (an entirely subjective judgement of course - and I don't mean "right" in terms of accuracy to prototype, I mean in terms of how good it looks on the tracks).
To me, the guide as to whether something looks too small is the cab size, in particular the doors. If an LGB-size driver can fit in it without looking silly, then it's OK with me!
Given that I'm most likely going to hold off on the TL Mallet for a while, I might look much more closely at one of these beauties....
Jon.
Beddhist
Motorcycle travel, trains
Being German perhaps I can shed some light on this. Standard gauge is what we played with as kids (Maerklin HO) and it's what we saw around us as we grew up. I have never seen a NG line in Germany. But I do remember PE in the stadium and a huge 044 going past on the other side of the river under full steam. When you are that young you get imprinted.CoggesRailway said:
whatlep
Registered
Some more info for prospective buyers, based on careful measurements of the published pictures, Piko's published measurements and Piko's own spare parts list for the new BR 64 (yes, unlike certain manufacturers Piko actually make spares available!).
The loco will look very high alongside LGB metre-gauge prototypes and coaches. I reckon it will be a good 5-8mm higher than my LGB Mallets and 15-20mm higher than a Harz 2-6-2T (99.6001). The size of the main drivers will likely accentuate the effect. On the other hand, it should look just fine with Piko's standard gauge stock, especially the 6-wheel coaches. I think the effect will be very much like running one of Piko's V60 diesel shunters alongside LGB stock: somewhat overpowering. I'll probably not go for a BR64 due to that, but I still think it's drop-dead gorgeous!
For what it's worth, the loco will be supplied with both standard gauge buffer beams (factory-fitted) and pseudo narrow gauge types with a single, central buffer. A packet of add-on parts (tender access ladders and cylinder tails for use on wide radii) will be supplied in the box for the user to add if desired.
The spare parts list shows that the drive mechanism in the BR64 is the same as that used for the V60 shunter: a 4-wheel gearbox linked to the other two wheels by an articulated link in the chassis, articulated connecting rods and a cardan shaft linking the 4-wheel section to the other two wheels. Those who own the V60 may wish to comment on how efficient the system is: I don't recall hearing of any problems.
The loco will look very high alongside LGB metre-gauge prototypes and coaches. I reckon it will be a good 5-8mm higher than my LGB Mallets and 15-20mm higher than a Harz 2-6-2T (99.6001). The size of the main drivers will likely accentuate the effect. On the other hand, it should look just fine with Piko's standard gauge stock, especially the 6-wheel coaches. I think the effect will be very much like running one of Piko's V60 diesel shunters alongside LGB stock: somewhat overpowering. I'll probably not go for a BR64 due to that, but I still think it's drop-dead gorgeous!
For what it's worth, the loco will be supplied with both standard gauge buffer beams (factory-fitted) and pseudo narrow gauge types with a single, central buffer. A packet of add-on parts (tender access ladders and cylinder tails for use on wide radii) will be supplied in the box for the user to add if desired.
The spare parts list shows that the drive mechanism in the BR64 is the same as that used for the V60 shunter: a 4-wheel gearbox linked to the other two wheels by an articulated link in the chassis, articulated connecting rods and a cardan shaft linking the 4-wheel section to the other two wheels. Those who own the V60 may wish to comment on how efficient the system is: I don't recall hearing of any problems.
There is a fitting guide for an eMotion XLS on the Massoth forum
http://forum.massoth.org/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=496
http://forum.massoth.org/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=496
stevedenver
Registered
it is simply beautiful. Very pleasing proportion, fine rods (worries me, however) , nice detail, LIGHTS! LOL
The video of it running looked great. It was easy for me to imagine it weathered.
I will await first reports, (as well as side by side pics with LGB) as I am skeptical about PIKO locos.
It is indeed a quantum leap. If the quality is there, even more so. It is priced, happily, just about where I had hoped. This is really important too.
The video of it running looked great. It was easy for me to imagine it weathered.
I will await first reports, (as well as side by side pics with LGB) as I am skeptical about PIKO locos.
It is indeed a quantum leap. If the quality is there, even more so. It is priced, happily, just about where I had hoped. This is really important too.
whatlep
Registered
muns said:
That's VERY interesting Mark. Seems that Piko have designed the loco in such a cunning way that an ordinary decoder won't even need the body to be opened as the main board is under that little access cover at the rear of the loco. That's what I call great design work. Top marks, Piko!
TONYWARD50
Tadpole sexing</br>
How about running it with the V60 as mentioned, or the 218 Diesel with some mainline stock.....even possibly the LGB Green DB coaches...or am I going into the realms of fantasy ?
Unless someone beats me to it I will get one soon and let you have my initial thoughts
Unless someone beats me to it I will get one soon and let you have my initial thoughts