Piko Four Wheel Coaches

[shropshire lad]

Went to Back 2 Bay 6 to spend some Christmas money and some Piko coaches caught my eye.
These have generally been described as Toy Train standard but I don't think that does them justice.

They are a fair bit longer

And slighter wider
The printing is crisp and the paintwork well masked as you would expect

The Coach incorporates a toilet compartment with frosted window to match

And comes supplied with easily fitted narrow gauge buffers if required

Another feature is the inclusion of a spring on the bogie pivot which return the wheels to straight running position eliminating rear wheel wobble.
As supplied the coaches have plastic wheels but still cope well with the vagaries of less than perfect track laying partially due to their fairly substantial weight of 808g out of the box.
They are currently available at less than £60 each (Back 2 Bay 6) and are great value.
Some green ones will be joining these blue/cream ones as funds permit

 

[Zerogee]

Useful review and pics, thanks! I guess the "toytrain standard" comment probably comes from the overall level of detail, these do look a bit plain in that department but are still attractive pieces of stock. They certainly make a nice (and slightly longer) change from the standard LGB starter-set shorties.

Jon.

 

[whatlep]

Interesting thread Colin. Can you provide some measurements for the coach please and - if possible - a photo of the underside showing that springing arrangement?

 

[shropshire lad]

The springing is really simple Peter, just a fork acting on a post,the screw under the axle being the pivot point

It's 12cm wide over it's steps, the body is 11.5 cm wide
To the roof vents it's 15.5 cm high,5mm less to the roof itself
Over the buffers it's 35 cm long

 

[yb281]

Mmmm, very nice coach for the money. Certainly doesn't look toy train standard to me. Thanks for the review Col.

 

[whatlep]

The springing is really simple Peter, just a fork acting on a post,the screw under the axle being the pivot point

Many thanks Colin. Simple, yet effective (a bit like me).
The coach looks very attractive to me. If only I could think of an excuse for needing some.....

 

[steve parberry]

If only I could think of an excuse for needing some.....

Because your worth IT!!!!

 

[yb281]

The coach looks very attractive to me. If only I could think of an excuse for needing some.....

Would make a nice Ruritanian local service in pre railbus days, in green with a Stainz at the head of course - maybe the odd 4 wheel postal van attached?

 

[daveyb]

they look very good,,, i dont really do lgb type stuff but i like those,,,,,

certainly not toy like,,,

more,, lgb like,,,,

what scale is it,,,, is it gauge one,,,

i cant go to see steve at the mo,,,, i would spend too much money!!

 

[whatlep]

The coach looks very attractive to me. If only I could think of an excuse for needing some.....

Would make a nice Ruritanian local service in pre railbus days, in green with a Stainz at the head of course - maybe the odd 4 wheel postal van attached?

The force is strong with you today, Mystic Mel!

 

[Zerogee]

...............

The force is strong with you today, Mystic Mel!

Now I've got an (unwanted) image in my head of Mel in gypsy headscarf and big dangly earrings...... what has once been thought, cannot be unthought!

Jon.

 

[yb281]

...............

The force is strong with you today, Mystic Mel!

Now I've got an (unwanted) image in my head of Mel in gypsy headscarf and big dangly earrings...... what has once been thought, cannot be unthought!

Jon.

Brings to mind the old joke about the gypsy woman in the surgery that ends with the doctor saying "tell your husband that his earrings aren't real gold" ..................... but maybe not?

 

[Zerogee]

...............

The force is strong with you today, Mystic Mel!

Now I've got an (unwanted) image in my head of Mel in gypsy headscarf and big dangly earrings...... what has once been thought, cannot be unthought!

Jon.

Brings to mind the old joke about the gypsy woman in the surgery that ends with the doctor saying "tell your husband that his earrings aren't real gold" ..................... but maybe not?

Took me a few minutes, Mel, but I think I've worked out which joke you meant!

Jon.

 

[shropshire lad]

They'd make a fine addition to the postal train Peter
Managed to grab a few pics of the coaches running between showers this afternoon

The do look the part out in 'the wild'

 

[pugwash]

That's done it, I thought one in green to go behind the Elias would do, then some sod shows a rake that look lovely behind a blue Frankie - which I also own. Oh woe is my Visa :crying:

 

[Zerogee]

Yes, that shot of the rake behind the Nicki & Frank S makes them look really appealing! After all, the proof of the pudding (mixed metaphor time!) is how they look running in the garden, rather than when examined close-up - and I must say in that pic they look good. Any plans to put lights in them?

Jon.

 

[Casey's mate]

Now I do like those, especially with the Frank S. They go together perfectly! I shall definitely have to take a closer look at them at the next show I attend, never paid much attention to them before.
Wonder how they compare to a Blue and Cream LGB starter set coaches?

 

[shropshire lad]

Yes, that shot of the rake behind the Nicki & Frank S makes them look really appealing! After all, the proof of the pudding (mixed metaphor time!) is how they look running in the garden, rather than when examined close-up - and I must say in that pic they look good. Any plans to put lights in them?

Jon.

Lighting is on the list along with metal wheels Jon.
The roof comes off fairly easily and the toilet compartment could be separately lit

 

[yb281]

The roof comes off fairly easily and the toilet compartment could be separately lit

Or used to hold some batteries ................ always thinking.

 

[shropshire lad]

Now there's an idea Mel