Piko Large Scale Steam  Locomotives 

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Piko, based in Sonneberg, Germany are no stranger to the model railway market having been in business since 1949 supplying the then local East German model train market as a state-owned enterprise in the GDR. Following the reunification of Germany, they were acquired in 1992 by PIKO Spielwaren GmbH and are now a major manufacturer and exporter with over 1500 product lines across 4 scales, G Scale, HO Scale, TT Scale and N Scale. The company now own a factory in Chashan, China as well as their manufacturing plant in Sonneberg where G Gauge items are still produced. More recently they have established a major presence in the USA under the PIKO-America banner and guess what. They chose the ever popular 2-6-0 to lead their export drive - and why not? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In this, and later modules, we shall focus on their interesting and expanding variety of G Gauge Locomotives - Steam, Diesel and Electric. The range mainly comprises representations of German and European prototype locomotives but in order to more readily access the North American market they now offer generic replicas of US and Canadian outline short-wheelbase designs. We shall examine each of these in turn focusing initially on their 2-6-0 series.

 

PIKO G-scale steam locomotives are solidly engineered, robust and weatherproof, and manufactured to a high standard.  Some customers are fond of the rather endearing appearance of the smaller engines (stubby boiler and short wheelbase) but the models generally realistic and brawny appearance are convincing on their merits, offering detailed and sturdy valve gear and separately attached grab rails and pipes together with enhancement potential in the way of DCC upgrade, sound installation and imitation smoke capability.

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All PIKO Steam Locomotives are currently made in Germany and feature:

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• Powerful 5-pole precision can-type motor with brass worm gears

• Numerous moulded-on and factory-applied details, such as lights, brake cylinders, smoke stack, tank piping, cowcatchers, handrails, ladders and more

• Fully operating directional lighting with consistent intensity

• Detailed interior with engineer figure

• Heavy duty, durable metal wheels on the loco

• Sliding pickup shoes for reliable electrical contact

• LGB Style Hook and loop type couplers

• Authentic, crisp and clean lettering, satin effect paint decoration and appropriate logo designs

• Created with incredibly tough weather-resistant materials

• Minimum recommended radius: 600mm / 23.6”

• Many models are now fitted with ball bearings on driven axles and hard-chrome plated wheels for improved power pickup

• Added weight for greater traction

• Realistic speeds

• Many versions of Piko G Scale steam locomotives now come with pre-equipped factory installed sound and steam (smoke) functions (for more information please go to the site of the specific model)

• Most others can be retro upgraded with digital decoders and sound capabilities using a simple “plug and play” interface.

 

Piko Large Scale 2-6-0 Moguls  

 

As a fairly late entrant into the large-scale model train market Piko, Germany has been making up for lost time. In 2012 they introduced their own ”freelance” generic American outline 2 – 6 – 0 Mogul locomotives. This marked a departure for the company as previous releases have tended to concentrate on European prototypes but the move clearly reflected the sheer size of the potential market in the USA which is essential if the investment in design and tooling is to be recouped. This initial foray has been followed by numerous other locomotive releases geared to American customers with numerous livery releases at regular intervals to 'refresh' the brand.

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Their official database currently lists 13 versions of the Mogul type which together with the 6 models in their latest catalogues/new product leaflets would make around 19 varieties to date since 2011, the majority now with steam (smoke) and/ or sound features.

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As they progressively introduce models factory fitted with a dual mode DCC chip for digital operation they are often upgraded with full sound and light capabilities. These locomotives have been hitting the USA market in volume following an extensive marketing campaign but needless to say they are also popular with European modellers.

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These "Mogul" locomotives are very robust having quite a "chunky" appearance and the combined engine and tender weigh in at just over 7 lbs (around 3.2 Kilos) . The model proportions are sometimes said to be 1:22.5 scale but look a little undersized when compared against their LGB counterparts. They could be nearer 1:27 (as some of the firms earlier wagons were) or even 1:29, a scale normally associated with mainline locomotives, so check that they will match your existing inventory before purchasing. Piko tend to be reluctant to disclose the precise scale ratio - no doubt to permit "selective compression" if necessary.

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My particular favourite is the Denver & Rio Grande Western version (mainly because I love the smokestack and the sound effects.) but there are a lot of models to choose from and they seem to be regularly upgraded with DCC/DC decoders and sound.

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​All the versions to date feature a powerful 5-pole motor with plenty of power to draw a significant rake 1 of large scale freight cars. The locomotive is not based on any specific prototype but is fairly typical of the engines used on North American logging and mining railroads. Piko describe them as having a “brawny appearance” which is most appropriate.

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As well as a weatherproof mechanism the Piko Mogul has electrical pick-up on four driving wheels together with two additional pick-up shoes. The driver axles are equipped with ball-bearings and two also have traction tyres for extra grip. These locomotives are designed to negotiate the minimum 600mm radius 45mm gauge track.

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The satin paintwork is well executed with clear graphics. The Piko 2-6-0 has certainly received a welcome response from large-scale modelling customers and although prices have increase significantly over the intervening years years still represent good value for money. All in all, this popular range of locomotives represent a great introduction to large scale modelling

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Note 1:  a formation of coupled passenger coaches or freight cars.

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As Piko say in their catalogue the USA style Mogul 2-6-0 combines attention to detail with sturdy construction and exceptional pulling power.

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All locomotives and motor vehicles in the PIKO G range are distinguished by their high level of detail and modern technology. The robustness and the special plastic stand for the "outdoor & indoor" rating.

 

All standard DC locomotives are also ready-prepared for retrofitting digital and/or sound although you may well find that the latest versions have DCC (Digital Command Control) already factory-fitted to save you the job. If so you can also run them on conventional DC analogue should you prefer.

 

Specification:

 

• Powerful 5-pole motor

• High traction

• Current reduction from the wheels by means of wheel grinders (‘sliders’)

• Spring-mounted rail grinding (‘slider’) contacts

• Separately attached buffer planks with bracket coupling, interchangeable with medium buffer coupling

• Separately attached handrails, windscreen wipers, roof cables and fans

• Driver's cab with driver

• Authentic lacquer and detailed inscriptions

 

 

When the 2-6-0 wheel arrangement was first introduced in the 1880’s it gained the nickname "Mogul” and proved a popular locomotive on the railroads of America. Thousands were built into the 1900’s and the engine provided much of the light hauling power on short and branchlines.

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In common with all Piko G Scale locomotives these Moguls need an analogue power supply of between       0 – 24v A Direct Current (DC) or increasingly DCC (Digital Command Control) to operate properly and are all capable of circumnavigating the tightest Radius 1 (600mm). Early models have directional lights, ball bearing "Buhler" motors, and are smoke ready or have a factory fitted smoke unit already.

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Later models will accept a digital decoder for DCC operation (Piko naturally recommend their Decoder 36122 that replaces the internal printed circuit board) and offer built-in sound capability (Piko offer a sound module No. 36198, for this purpose). They are usually dual capability chips and can detect standard DC operation.

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More recent models have seen major technical upgrades to add Dual Mode Decoders (Analogue DC and DCC) and authentic train sounds to add to the realism.

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The precise technical specifications for each locomotive are available on the company websites in Europe

and North America or detailed in the latest PIKO G Scale Catalogue but the following bullet-list is a generic

extract. 

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TECHNICAL DATA FOR EARLY RELEASES

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Dimensions & Measurements:

• Scale: not specified by manufacturer but thought to be 1:27 scale

• Length (total): 570 mm

• Height (top to rail): 170 mm

• Width: 110 mm

• Weight: Engine + Tender: Approx. 7.1 lbs (3.2 Kilos), Engine: Approx. 5.3 lbs. (2.3 Kilos)

• Pulling power: About 2 lbs. of drawbar pull

Technical Details:

• Operation: Analogue DC

• Minimum Radius: 600 mm

• Wheels: Chrome plated

• Axles: Ball bearing

• Geared axles: 2

• Gears: plastic

• Traction tyres: 2 (front axle)

• Pick-up Shoes: Yes - 2

• Motor: 5-pole, unknown brand

• Power pick-up: 3 axles, 1 set of pick-up shoes

• Lights: Front, rear (bi-directional), white

• Smoke generator: Yes

 

More recent versions are now available with either DC or DCC control options. See the technical details following this table below:

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This table attempts to summarise all the model variations understood to have been officially issued to date in both the UK and USA:

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N.B. In the last few months the distribution of Piko products in the USA may have moved from Piko America to Walthers. The contact information is still to be updated.