Large Scale Central

What would you like to see from PIKO in the future .........?

General Discussion
#1

Well Im not wanting to start a thread to nit pick stuff but currious to se the thoguhts of people as to where they would like to see PIKO go with there large scale stuff in the future, IM sure someone will read it with interest .

like some of you are a bit disconcerned about where PIKO is going with there G scale, the way I read it they did the Taurus, OK well done except the cheap plastic pantographs, now in many popular paint schemes… than came the BR 218, have not seen one but looks to be OK maybe a bit cheezy on the details, like they did not even get the curved exhausts on it … now they have 2 new DB freight cars the open gondola and the red CARGO van, again have not seen on in person but looks to be OK size wise not sure hope its more like the 1:26 scale taurus and BR not like the 1:32 small stuff but maybe you guys who have them can chime in … and now the STARTER sets, maybe thats all they are is starter sets, maybe it kinda like the entry of PIKO stuff and we really need not be concerned ??

BUT I have to say Ive Emailed PIKO and expressed my thoughts, hope they listen to us all, I for one would like to see PIKO make a BR 103 TEE electric in the red and cream and newere all red colors and matching cars inc reg 2nd class colored cars like the blue, green and red ones … LGB has not made many and they were not full length anyhow, seems like a open invite for PIKO… there is such a lack of cheaper Euro passenger cars its not even funny, picture the TEE set with the dome car … WOW !

MY biggest problem I see is there pricing, every time I open a GR I see the PIKO prices jumping thru the roof, Id like to see them make a quality product like LGB did lord knows the other 3 have enough quality control issues but they will have to keep the price in line with the models they make.

Well just one mans thoughts … I for one am not even looking at the starter sets other than currious, but the toy like small stuff is not my thing, I do however look with interest whats after the BR 218 locomotive wise … OH maybe the BR 103 or Mmmm maybe a V 200 PIKO style to head off LGB’s overpriced one ?? LOL

Either way its kinda neat to see the launch of a old name in the G market.

Terry

#2

More American prototype building kits.

-Brian

#3

I would like to see things more affordable in Rolling stock. like Hartland. They have a line of rolling stock that is priced well. Like the industrial mini series as well as the flats etc… Of course engines more affordable but not too many of them around.

#4

The Piko ore cars are identical to USA’s which look identical to MDC’s.
The Piko box cars are identical to MDC. (1:32ish)
Perhaps Piko isn’t making anything new, just digging old defunct molds out of the storage bins and remaking the stuff with their logo on it.

#5

I believe that we can think of the starter sets and the regular PIKO line as having two different priorities.

#6

Perhaps a bit pathetic but I would like to see them make EXACTLY what LGB did. I have plenty of options when it comes to American motive and rolling stock, I have precious little Euro now that LGB is gone. So far the new Piko offerings have done little to impress me in models, quality, and price.

Bummed I will not be able to get the Arosa cars, ever.

#7

Using logic: take the new 3 axle brick:

standard gauge 1/29 2-6-0 w/ tender or 2-6-2 w/ tender

narrow gauge 1/22.5 0-6-2T Uintah RR or Hawaiian Rwys

personal dreamwish:

1/22.5 0-4-0T DHR Class B locomotive & coaches

#8
Mark Verbrugge said:
Bummed I will not be able to get the Arosa cars, ever.
I understand where you are coming from, but the Arosa cars were never regular issue. They were short run or limited production when they were made and probably wouldn't have been repeated.

I would assume that PIKO has chosen the standard gauge profile approach and will stay with it.

#9

How about a G-SCALE reasonably priced Turntable Kit complete with Pit and Rail. All of the turntable’s I have looked at are way out of most peoples price range.

#10
Ron Sgroi said:
How about a G-SCALE reasonably priced Turntable Kit complete with Pit and Rail. All of the turntable's I have looked at are way out of most peoples price range.
Ron, A Pola powered turntable sold for $97 at the Old Colony Show in Taunton. MA back in September. LAO
#11

I feel that Piko saw their role as supplementing the German standard gauge coaches that had either just hit the market or were planned. Of course 2006 halted LGB’s plans and placed Piko in limbo. Unfortunately, Piko must have employed the same rubber engineers that Lehmann had so it seems everything is a caricature.

Piko has the chance to actually tool and produce something that is not compromised. I doubt that full length coaches will be produced and see Piko’s role as locomotives and standard gauge freight rolling stock. The quality of the upcoming railcar duo will be the telling point as to Piko’s direction.

#12

I agree Tim … I am waiting to see the first reviews of the Railtruck, I remeber those in N scale when I was a kid, should be a fat little 4 axle sweetheart from days gone by, that should be a simple one for PIKO thats why I would like to see something totally different, like the Taurus, never been done beforeI also feel that whatever anyone says about all the brands Mark is right you can say what you want but when you bought LGB for the most part they would run forever without all the small issues every other maker has to date, seems most just never get it 100%right, yes LGB was a 20 foot rule as far as details but what good is somethng that is museum quality outdoors and wont run propperly anyhow ?, Im hoping PIKO will learn from the LGB mess and get it right.

All any Outdoor RRer ever wanted was a solid, durrable, fairly well detailed unit that would work the way it was intended withou always having to fool with an immediate repair after you spent good money for soemthing new, In my opinion thats the biggest trouble with large scale, I remember when I was heavy into N scale, I bought at the end only Japanese KATO engines and never had an issue with any much like LGB, yes you pay for them but dollars well spend, AND down the road it actually holds its value for a possable resale, say that for the others, you can t give them away used.

Dont get me wrong, I love what they have all done for large scale BUT I must say quality control is there biggest obsticle to date hands down !

Well we will see, hope anyone getting there hands on the railtruck will let us know even if they are iover the pond we would all like to know.

Terry

#13
Victor Smith said:
Using logic: take the new 3 axle brick:

standard gauge 1/29 2-6-0 w/ tender or 2-6-2 w/ tender

narrow gauge 1/22.5 0-6-2T Uintah RR or Hawaiian Rwys

personal dreamwish:

1/22.5 0-4-0T DHR Class B locomotive & coaches


Victor, While 1:26 or so Mogul or Praire standard gauge US
is possible, I do not see PIKO embarking on narrow gauge,
Sadly, because this is the field of my interest in railroading.
As you perhaps know, LGB had a prototype of the 0-6-2T
proudly displayed by the younger one of the Richter brothers
(just to confuse the enemy - known as LGB customers/fans…;-(
While the moulds for this one were probably never made -
the prototype may still exist in some private collection of ex
LGB items, it may also have made it to Maerklin and still sit
somewhere in the unopened boxes of parts etc… I do not
know, but let’s hope that either Maerklin or some Chinese
company will get hold of this prototype and make the model.
Best wishes from Tokyo, Zubi
PS You personal dreamwish is great, but impossible in 1:22.5
Moreover, there is really no need for one since Roundhouse
Engineering Co. Ltd. http://www.roundhouse-eng.com/darj.htm
made their most excellent live steam B-tank and since the brass
coaches were produced last year http://www.finescalebrass.com/
for Stan Richmond’s “The Car Works” http://www.thecarworks.com/
This is the most excellent Darjeeling set you can ever imagine and
if you like the most famous train of the world - the Toy Train - as
much as I do you should get this set!! You will never regret it!!

#14

Stuff that is a bit closer to a uniform scale, let’s say 1:29 for NA stuff. :wink: :slight_smile: One of the guys on a German forum mentioned that, when asked, someone from PIKO supposedly said that they had considered producing RhB items for the Standard Gauge railroaders. :wink: :smiley: To which I would say, please spare us!! Since the RhB is Meter Gauge I dare not imagine what a mish-mash the scale would be! It is interesting that PIKO produces a “Hobby” line (aimed at the entry market) and the regular line in HO scale Sample of “Hobby” engines

(http://87.106.5.116/piko_bilder/50500.jpg)

(http://87.106.5.116/piko_bilder/57550.jpg)

Sample of a standard item

(http://87.106.5.116/piko_bilder/50000.jpg)

Clearly aimed at different market segments! Also interesting is the fact that Dr.Wilfer, in an interview with GARTENBAHNprofi, mentioned that freight cars and such don’t produce the correct figures on the bottomline. Of course that was then and this is now. :wink: :slight_smile: Is it possible that the developments at LGB® Märklin, LGBoA etc. were cause for a separate line item which would shift the bottomline? :wink: :lol:

#15

:wink: :lol:

#16

Yes Jack, the Chinese curse: “May you live in interesting times” has been boomeranging all over the place, never know where and when it pops up next. :wink: :slight_smile:

In a way it is as it’s always been: “Sit back, keep alert and see what happens next.” :wink: :slight_smile:

#17
Hans-Joerg Mueller said:
In a way it is as it's always been: "Sit back, keep alert and see what happens next." ;) :)
Is that long hand for "wait till next week"?
#18

Actually it isn’t, since I’m very patient I can wait considerably longer than just “next week”.

OTOH one never knows what next week could bring, eh? For instance my dealer could tell me “your Kiss Ge 4/4’ is on the way”. :slight_smile: :confused:

#19

I saw the American outline Piko 0-6-0ST running at Kraynak’s (Hermitage, Pa) yesterday. Overall it’s a rather nice piece (Not at the $350+ they were asking for the starter set, but nice enough to serve as a yard goat or a basis for a bash. It’s fairly large, so it probably would look OK with a 1:20 cab and wider pilot, too.

The only really jarring thing I noticed is the partially modeled valve gear is molded in a contrasting light grey so it’s VERY obvious that it’s just hanging there doing nothing.

#20
Zbigniew Struzik said:
PS You personal dreamwish is great, but impossible in 1:22.5 Moreover, there is really no need for one since Roundhouse Engineering Co. Ltd. http://www.roundhouse-eng.com/darj.htm made their most excellent live steam B-tank and since the brass coaches were produced last year http://www.finescalebrass.com/ for Stan Richmond's "The Car Works" http://www.thecarworks.com/ This is the most excellent Darjeeling set you can ever imagine and if you like the most famous train of the world - the Toy Train - as much as I do you should get this set!! You will never regret it!!
I am poor. Nice at it is I cannot afford this engine now or ever, telling someone cash strapped as me they should buy something like this might as well tell me how great a Maserati drives and that I should really get one regardless that I cannot make the payments...Buying it would impart not just fiscal chaos, but marital strife as well...so for me until I work up the moxie to scratchbuild one, an affordable Darj is and likely will always be a dream. :(