Large Scale Central

Messing with the PIKO 0-6-0T

Modeling
#1

PIKO makes a very toy like 0-6-0t. I picked one up on ebay for under $70 with shipping, Seemed like it might be fun to mess around with

The first thing that had to go was the comical representation of the Walshearts valve gear–with no eccentric, among other things.

I made a bunch of cosmetic changes–added more realistic coal, handrails, steps on the tank, sand lines, guitar-string bell pull, a few other things. It’s better tha it was, but it needs something–I’m not sure what. Maybe just weathering?

#2

It’s a definite improvement. Just add rocker shafts and rods to fake a Stephenson’s gear.

I’ve thought about getting one to bash. But I’d probably end up trashing most everything above the running boards. How hard are they to get apart?

#3

Very easy to take apart–all the screws are the same size, a lot of it is just snap together. I just tested it–it pulls about as well as an LGB mogul. I’m planning to add a bit more weight

#4

Mike - I like everything you changed. All help to improve it’s look. How about getting rid of New York Central on the tank? My opinion, the font looks a bit overstated and the lettering overpowers the loco. You could probably get away with leaving the number. This very crudely done Photoshop job attempts to illustrate my point…

(http://www.mylargescale.com/1stclass/lownote/dockside2.jpg)

(http://lsc.cvsry.com/dockside2PS.jpg)

#5

Nice work, Mike. Great switcher for those short yard jobs.

#6

Thank you all. Jon Radder, I was thinking about re-labling it “Reading Locomotive Shops.” There’s a reasonably close prototype. But I think I’ll take your suggestion and leave it blank, with the number intact

#7

Looks good, Mike.
I like the “plumbing” and the window treatment.
As was mentioned elsewhere, the blind driver sticks out like a sore thumb.
Also, the “poles” on each corner. They look too “thick”.
How does it scale with your other rolling stock? I remember reading that some of the cars that
came in the set were 1/32? What about the loco?
Ralph

#8

I’m calling it done–anything else would be too much work! I have a valve gear/rod set from a Bachmann annie, and the main rod is almost a perfect fit…

(http://www.mylargescale.com/1stclass/lownote/dockside6.jpg)

(http://www.mylargescale.com/1stclass/lownote/dockside5.jpg)

(http://www.mylargescale.com/1stclass/lownote/dockside4.jpg)

#9

Looks nice! but if I win the lottery I’m buying me one of these (would make for a cool indoor switching layout) -

(http://www.americanmainline.com/images/locos/G722-03-ES.jpg)

-Brian

#10

Those AML docksides will be really cool. And it matches the little HO loco that used to run around the Christmas tree when I was six (sigh). I’m thinking live steam is the way to go with that one though. Not enough power pickup. But then, there’s the large amount of money involved, which makes the whole question purely academic.

I looked around for a while for a small tank switcher–the USAT dockside is great and reasonably priced, although not cheap, but it’s loaded with stuff I’d tear out–the stock sound system, and magnet triggers, for example. It’d be a pain to redo. The AML dockside is really going to be a beauty, but limiting it to four power pickup points seemed like trouble for a track power guy like me.

The PIKO was $67, including shipping. Other than buying some sash weights, everything else came out of the spare parts box

#11

What’s the pulling power of the Piko engine Mike?

-Brian

#12

Brian

Less than I had hoped. It will do 8 aristo cars easily on a flat grade, but only four on the steepest part of my layout. Ran it for hours today, consisted with a another steamer. Looked great

#13

Mike,
I know nothing about steam but when i first looked at the loco I thought man that thing looks like some of the old pictures I saw of the Lurgan Branch operations local to me…(Ex-Reading) funny you mention that.

#14

That looks really good Mike. A nice improvement. I’ve had thoughts of a small tank engine for my indoor yard where I have R1 switches. EBT had a Dinkey #2, that was a very small tank engine. It’s almost so small that an O scale engine might be a better starting place :smiley:

(http://lsc.cvsry.com/EBTDinkey2.jpg)