Piko Kamel (Narrow gauge version)

T

Tim Brien

Registered
Quote: "Have to reiterate what I said about the pick up skates - they need a regular clean, before each run. There is no electrical pick up off the wheels on this model. The aluminium alloy wheels seem to attract dirt off the track."

I am surprised that the loco relies on only its skates for power pickup. I have always fancied the model but find it strange that a Piko three-axle drive block would not pickup power from the drive wheels. Do you have a factory assembly issue with this drive?
 
Don't have mine on hand to check but as it runs well it's never been an issue. With the massive sideframes it would be fairly easy to hide additional contacts direct onto the treads. Must have a look next time I get it out. I checked the Piko website and it only shows spare contacts for the 060's. Noted for future reference ;)
 
I really like that last picture. Add a few brake hoses, etc. and the way your line is planted here one would have to look hard to tell it's a model. I'm wondering, though: why is there a sun/rain visor only over the windows on one side?
 
Aluminium is notorious for picking up muck like this..
As an aside, how does aluminium wear in comparison to the brass/plated wheels on LGB stock?
I would guess they wear at a greater rate, but it is less of a problem as they are solid material, not plated like the standard LGB units??
PhilP.
 
The weathered bogies look much better Paul :)
I do like these locos but regret that they are probably way too big for use on my little line.
 
Odd that the wheels would be aluminum. Also odd that the skates and wheel brushes are that cruddy. I can understand aluminum picking up the crud. I wonder if the four wheeled versions have the same wheels ? Would the Kamel be the only Piko loco with these type wheels ?
 
Nice bit of weathering Paul. The bogies look much better - might just have to have a look at mine.
I agree about the alloy wheels, they can be cleaned - a bit - but still the pick up is poor. I wonder if the poor pickup is contributing to the mucky skates - something to do with arching maybe?. That said, when clean, its a good and reliable runner.
Might join you in a new set of wheels .
 
So far as I can gather the older Piko's had the poor wheels. Newer Locomotives are similar to the LGB Plated ones. I am informed by Glendale that replacement wheels are available, certainly for the 218 but I am not sure about the Kamel. Best to check your friendly Retailer
JonD
 
Had a look at the Piko Shop.
Part 36075 - Hard chrome wheels with gear. 13.49 euro. in stock
Part 36074 - Hard chrome wheels, gear and traction tyre. 14.49 euro - In stock
Part 37541-37 Wheels set (does not specifically say if its Hard chrome or not!) without gear (Middle wheel set). 14.05 euro. NOT in stock.
Thats per axle.
Plus delivery.
 
Would any of the earlier LGB skates fit? Although, some of mine seem prone to pick up gunge more than others.
 
She looks much, much better for your attention 8)
 
The other day I was carrying out Gauging Tests with my Harz Kamel. One of the things that I found was that the Skates were shorting out when running over LGB R3 Points. Now I have never had this problem before on R3. R5 yes (on the Ruschbahn) but never a problem with R3. However I do not think that I have done any extensive running with the Kamel on my LGB Track till now.

Anyway the solution was to remove the Pickups, put the slidy up and down bit in a vice after carefully removing and storing the Spring in a Plastic Container. Then I gently bent up the but that slides on the Track just a mm or so. This solved the problem, no more Shorting out.

In the meantime mine runs reasonably well. Perhaps in spite of the crud on the wheels all are still picking up as well as the skates. As a final solution I placed her against a Siding Buffer Stop where I had placed a bit of oil on the Track. Gently upped the speed and let her grind for a minute or two. Turned her round and did the same the other way. This is an old trick that I used to do with my 0 Gauge Locomotives, it does clean up the wheels somewhat, but I would not recommend it for plated wheels.

No doubt many of you will rise up in Shock Horror at the spinning wheel cleaning!
JonD
 
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