Who’s being negative and critical?
Did you read the warning at the top of this forum?
Everybody gets flipped kaka on a regular basis.
I just asked if it was the video or the locos.
Simple question, simple answer.
Learn to own up to your snide comments.
Reminds me of the cowards on a schoolyard who instigate brawls and then stand in the background claiming they had nothing to do with it.
I’m always skeptical of those who only show up to post in the LGB/Silvergate/LGBoA debacle.
But hey, I enjoyed the video.
Ralph
Ralph Berg said:Yeah, isn't it funny. I sure hope the perks are good in that line.
I'm always skeptical of those who only show up to post in the LGB/Silvergate/LGBoA debacle. But hey, I enjoyed the video. Ralph
David Wenrich said:
...................In my opinion, the manner in which you 2 handle yourselves is flat out disgusting. I watch this forum now and then, but resist posting because I always wind up getting so discouraged, frustrated, and infuriated by the same few inconsiderate personalities over and over again. I just find it interesting that I, a teenager, can handle myself in a more mature manner than some of the people on this forum.
…
David,
That is very commendable. 
OTOH with ten posts and this selection of participation:
‘LGB of America’ on Ridge Road website
‘LGB of America’ on Ridge Road website
‘LGB of America’ on Ridge Road website
‘LGB of America’ on Ridge Road website
LGB of America message at Garden RR Convention
LGB of America message at Garden RR Convention
Piko and thier exciting future
EBAY STRIKE!!! 18-25
Hot off the presses! Marklin signs distribution deal with Walthers
Hot off the presses! Marklin signs distribution deal with Walthers
I can readily see why you would be disappointed that we don’t join your rah-rah routine.
BTW I’ve read a lot of the posts regarding the PIKO G line on different fora, the good, the bad and the in between. As I mentioned it is a good entry point; engines, cars and track all aimed at the TOY train segment.
Jack,
thankyou for the info, although I cannot see why a tried and tested drive block needed to be altered. I had heard of the V200 leaving Nurnberg in 2007 did have a power pickup issue frying decoder installations (short circuit in drive block).
David,
you say that people offend others here. It is all bravado and good fun. If anyone was seriously offended (only one person comes to mind and he had to abdicate from his own forum) then they would depart to a more sedentary forum lifestyle - been there done that. All nice boys telling each other how wonderful each other is - very little actual knowledge gleaned.
At least the rules don’t allow us to call folks morons.
Unless you are, then there is a work-around.
david wenrich said:
Hi All, JJ is a gentleman I met at Epcot during the Flower and Garden Festival and let me know about this discussion and I thought I would chime in. By the way, that is actually his real name, or at least that is what he told me it was. Hey, maybe I actaully met the infamous Marvin and didnt even know it! LOLIn reference to the starter sets, LSOL.com just wrote a nice article about the sets and the other new offerings from Piko. There are also pictures of all three of the sets (including the UP-my favorite- & the NYC).
Now onto the more recent topic: quality of Piko. I am heading off to college and stopped working at Epcot just a few weeks ago. I did however use the Piko locos on the Germany Railraod for several months. Now, there is something you must realize about this railroad: it runs from 11am to maybe 8 to 11pm depending on the day. Oh, and most of the time the custodians dont bother to bring the trains in during the rain either. This summer in Florida we have been getting quite intense thunderstorms, dumping inches and inches of water, about 4 or 5 times a week. And then you have to deal with those kindly tourist who like to dump slushies and gummy bears on the trains and try to derail them with masks, rocks, and COINS! I like to think of this railroad as a torture chamber!
I probably shouldnt say anything about this, but I think it may be of some value. Just because Epcot has a relationship with Silvergate Distributors does not mean that Epcot gets anything for free. Silvergate is merely a sponsored supplier of both goods and services. Epcot purchases every loco, part, piece of track, accessories, etc from Silvergate. Nothing in free in life, right?
I love the Piko locos. I had personal experience with Taurus and BR218 fro several months. Physically the Piko motorblocks lookin very, very similar to comparable LGB blocks. The wheels are very nice in my opinion. They are blackened and have different cast in detail (on the side of the wheel) depending on the loco. I noticed wheel wear on the locos, but not anything unexpected given the amount of run time they had. I noticed that the pictures posted by PJ showed a white residue. I dont quite know what it is, but it showed up on the locos I ran too. I actually think it is a result of the engine being left outside in the rain, and the then water leaves some kind of residue on the metal from the chemicals that are put into our water.
Just to show I am not a total suckup to Silvergate and Piko, I will state the downfalls of the models I have seen so far: As stated before, sometimes white residue can be left on the wheels. However, I would imagine some rubbing alcohol would clear it up. The other downfall is the way in which the wires are connected to the powerblocks as pictured by PJ. I It seems that the last roduction of Taurus and BR218 paint schemes have improved this. The problem can be cleared up by squeezing the slide on clamps (I dont really know what they are called) with a pair of pliers to make sure they stay attached to the powerblocks.
Overall, I am very satisfied with the Piko locos. Piko still has yet to decide what kind of electronics they would like to supply thier locos with. So, right now they are simply direct wired. This works out well at Disney since it does not “fry” the engine when it gets wet. It is also a good move in the consumer market since once a system is picked, it can easily be wired in with just 8 wired. A very simple job. I have heard some ideas about what “guts” Piko may put into thier locos in the future, but I will just let you guys make up rediculous rumors and spread them as truth. LOL The locos are very easy to take apart. The screws are easily accessible and do not require the strength of God to reassemble like some other locos. They are also very durable locos. Shhh! Dont tell anybody, but I dropped one off the end of the golfcart at Disney. Other than some light scratches, no one has ever found out about it. It did not break or anything!
For a large, value priced, strong pulling, fairly accurate, German engineered, German made model, I give the 2 currently available Piko locos my seal of approval.
Here is a link to some pictures that I took that have been posted on the Piko website (you may have to past it itno that address bar):
http://piko.de/e/we_about_us/NEWS/2008/e_DisneyWorld.phpAnd a link to the list of new products:
http://piko.de/e/News_Delivery/2008/e_TLN_Herbstneuheiten08.php-David
Hey David,
pleas do not get me wrong, i belief you that the engines in the Epcot center run just fine. The way this engines are used in the Epcot center is just one possible way, i guess the employees of Epcot never ad any freight, or it might be that all the track is level. Most probably there are no kids which now and then switch from Forward to backward with out any stop. And And And.
I belief we always should try to see the big picture, what works in one place might not somewhere else.
Think global Pius
Hi David- You wrote:
Quote:
. . I wanted to doublehead because the guests really enjoy it. Also, the Epcot RR is far from a flat circuit. It has several very steep grades on tight curves, so the second engine is not that bad of an idea.
Correct me if I am wrong, but “the very steep grades on tight curves” form a point-to-point layout which the Piko locos never traverse. The two “Piko” ovals are fairly flat with sweeping curves. Also, I have never seen the trains running in the rain. We were there on a cloudy day last week and the trains were put away. The EPCOT staff is a bit overprotective of the trains! Notice the trains weren’t running during this downpour.
Thanks Bob, it’s always nice to get the eyewitness perspective of how things really are down there. 
You just can’t tell 100% by looking at the video, but it sure looked flat to me.
Sooooo it’s a fair weather operation, is it? That’s what’s wrong with the guys in Germany, they’re not patient enough waiting for that nice Florida Sunshine weather! 
PS Bobby looks a bit disappointed, can’t blame him!
All these years running in any kind of weather, earthquake, wind, power outtages…and we find out the “big boys” put them away when wet.
In the street rod scene, they are referred to as “candy cars”, as they melt in the rain.
Curmudgeon said:
All these years running in any kind of weather, earthquake, wind, power outtages…and we find out the “big boys” put them away when wet. In the street rod scene, they are referred to as “candy cars”, as they melt in the rain.
Does that mean the guys who run them are candy asses?
(http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/teufel/devil-smiley-023.gif)
Hi HJ-
Quote:
. PS Bobby looks a bit disappointed, can’t blame him!
Yes, he was disappointed. Of course, a six year old can easily rebound after a soft pretzel and a frozen lemonade.
That’s one helluva load for that locomotive.
Makes me re-think my 28-34 loads up 150’ of 4% grade with one Shay every operating session.
Let’s see:
To conform to the new standard, any inclement weather or threat thereof, we park the trains.
3 to 4 cars max on level track.
Grades must mean light loco moves.
I’ll have to throw some exposed 2X6 TREX under all my track and do away with track ballast.
I think I also need to add unnecessary humps and kinks in my trackwork, too.
Dave-
I believe the hoppers had LGB ball-bearing wheels, too.
Best regards,
Bob
Oh, my!
Oh Dave, you have to realize they are running collector items now and need to be treated tenderly ! Since there are no replacement parts now. I heard they also lock them in a vacuum vault at night which is dropped 100’ in the ground.
No wait I’m sorry that was National Treasure. :rolleyes:
Curmudgeon said:
That's one helluva load for that locomotive. Makes me re-think my 28-34 loads up 150' of 4% grade with one Shay every operating session.Let’s see:
To conform to the new standard, any inclement weather or threat thereof, we park the trains.
3 to 4 cars max on level track.
Grades must mean light loco moves.
I’ll have to throw some exposed 2X6 TREX under all my track and do away with track ballast.I think I also need to add unnecessary humps and kinks in my trackwork, too.
Hell, they even fly B-17’s.
And they have been out of production for over 63 years!
I pack a 1911 Colt that’s over 90 years old.
One of my cars has 500K on it, been driving it for over 38 years.
But, I guess we do need to take care of these…
Next thing you know, they’ll pull the motors to “save” them, get a bunch of trained mice and harnesses, lay planks between the rails, and pull the dead engines and three ball-bearing-equipped cars around.
Watch for the ASPCA or PETA to file suit!
Curmudgeon said:Is that thing safe to fire regularly ?
I pack a 1911 Colt that's over 90 years old.
What is all this talk of old “stuff”?
Daves original on board battery RCS R/C is a pup at 13+ but still going stong.