So I had an idea...

[peteski]

I'm actually quite impressed with my Piko coach. The surprising thing is that those massive wheels have no issue going through Peco turnouts that have the guardrails shimmed.

By the way, since you own some of the Piko coaches (I'm not at all surprised) would you by chance be able to measure the axle length? I've been wondering if it would be possible to swap out the proletarian wheels for something more bourgeoisie like FVM wheelsets.

Yes, the molds for these were pretty well made - but often the raw materials used to make the cars were inferior.  Sure, I can measure the wheels for you (with my working caliper).    IIRC, the real coaches used 1 meter diameter wheels (which is about 39").

Happy New Year Cody - I hope it is better for you than 2014.    I'm at work - no big celebrations, but at least I have Internet access. 

[Cajonpassfan]

I'm actually quite impressed with my Piko coach. The surprising thing is that those massive wheels have no issue going through Peco turnouts that have the guardrails shimmed.

By the way, since you own some of the Piko coaches (I'm not at all surprised) would you by chance be able to measure the axle length? I've been wondering if it would be possible to swap out the proletarian wheels for something more bourgeoisie like FVM wheelsets.

Cody, agreed, for its era, the detailing on these cars was actually quite good; window frame inserts, amazing miniature lettering, even the truck sideframes. The wheels were actually the only truly bad part. The axles are 15mm long (.590") so you'll have a hard time finding a replacement.
An idea I had a while back when I was thinking about a similar project was to use Athearn express trucks with FVM 36" wheels and laminate the proletarian sideframes onto them.... Never got beyond that stage, too many other projects....
Like Peteski, I grew up beyond the Iron curtain and remember the loud and smoky Soviet-made Ludmillas well, only we called them "Sergei"...
Otto K.

(Correction: the Sergei I remember is a predecessor to the Ludmilla. While they have some similarities, the smoky Sergei (T679.1 CSD shown in the photo above) was a two-cycle beast with a shorter wheelbase and DC traction, whereas the Ludmillas had four-cycle prime mover and AC traction motors). So much for instant memory...

[VonRyan]

Yes, the molds for these were pretty well made - but often the raw materials used to make the cars were inferior.  Sure, I can measure the wheels for you (with my working caliper).    IIRC, the real coaches used 1 meter diameter wheels (which is about 39").

Happy New Year Cody - I hope it is better for you than 2014.    I'm at work - no big celebrations, but at least I have Internet access. 

As long as it isn't made from radioactive materials, it's fine by me.
Even though the biggest wheels FVM makes is 36" I think that would at least help it ride a wee bit lower. Compared to photos of the prototype, the model seems to ride a smidgen high.

And I learned yesterday that apparently how you spend New Years Day is a reflection on how your year will be.
So for me, that means lots of adventure, lots of driving, and lots of good food.
My New Years Day was spent in DC, first going to the Spy Museum, then lunch at a cool little Chinese restaurant, and of course I had a couple hours of driving each way.

Cody, agreed, for its era, the detailing on these cars was actually quite good; window frame inserts, amazing miniature lettering, even the truck sideframes. The wheels were actually the only truly bad part. The axles are 15mm long (.590") so you'll have a hard time finding a replacement.
An idea I had a while back when I was thinking about a similar project was to use Athearn express trucks with FVM 36" wheels and laminate the proletarian sideframes onto them.... Never got beyond that stage, too many other projects....
Like Peteski, I grew up beyond the Iron curtain and remember the loud and smoky Soviet-made Ludmillas well, only we called them "Sergei"...
Otto K.

(Correction: the Sergei I remember is a predecessor to the Ludmilla. While they have some similarities, the smoky Sergei (T679.1 CSD shown in the photo above) was a two-cycle beast with a shorter wheelbase and DC traction, whereas the Ludmillas had four-cycle prime mover and AC traction motors). So much for instant memory...

Well, I suppose I could just clean up the wheels then. Maybe lower the flange a bit too.
Despite the poor quality in their manufacture, they aren't all that bad.

I may not have spent any time behind the Iron Curtain, but I do wear an authentic USSR Ushanka when it is below freezing outside.




-Cody F.

[peteski]

And I learned yesterday that apparently how you spend New Years Day is a reflection on how your year will be.
So for me, that means lots of adventure, lots of driving, and lots of good food.
My New Years Day was spent in DC, first going to the Spy Museum, then lunch at a cool little Chinese restaurant, and of course I had a couple hours of driving each way.

I'm glad to hear that you has an enjoyable New Year's Day!  But that doesn't look very promising for me as it means being at work!  I guess it is better to have a job than being unemployed.   But I could use unlimited amount of hobby time.   

As far as wheels go, there is a seller on eBay (from Germany) with a name benno002-2. He sells replacement wheel sets for all European models.   I've been meaning to buy a bunch but still haven't pulled the trigger.  The wheels are good quality but still have wide thread and deep flanges (probably not as deep as stock Piko though). The European model companies still haven't embraced the NMRA standards (deep flanges and Rapido couplers are the norm).

[mandealco]

Here is what I was playing with.  It started out as an Atlas/Kato RS-1 chassis, and I added Atlas/Kato RSD-4/5 trucks.   Works fine.  I then added Randy's Baldwin sideframes to make a chassis suitable for a Baldwin AS-616.  Wheelbase was pretty close.

Anyway the point being, the earlier Kato chassis will take the early RSD trucks no problems.

Although it's in the background of the second photo, the same RS-1 has received a low profile cab to represent an export model Alco.  With considerable work, a reasonable MRS-1 can be put together.

Cheers
Steve

[nkalanaga]

I did the same thing to the cabs on RS-3s for my narrow gauge.  Unfortunately they have to ride on MT Z SD40-2 chassis.  Oddly, the truck wheelbase is almost identical to the 2-axle RS-3 trucks, so the only real appearance problem is the undersized wheels.

[strummer]

Here is what I was playing with.  It started out as an Atlas/Kato RS-1 chassis, and I added Atlas/Kato RSD-4/5 trucks.   Works fine.  I then added Randy's Baldwin sideframes to make a chassis suitable for a Baldwin AS-616.  Wheelbase was pretty close.

Anyway the point being, the earlier Kato chassis will take the early RSD trucks no problems.

Although it's in the background of the second photo, the same RS-1 has received a low profile cab to represent an export model Alco.  With considerable work, a reasonable MRS-1 can be put together.

Cheers
Steve

That's some nice work...

Mark in Oregon

[peteski]

That is some serious chopping Steve!

Anyways, I dug out one of my Piko cars ( I couldn't find the other, maroon one).

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

I measured the axle length and it is 0.599". The wheel diameter at the thread is 0.215"  That is around 33 scale inches.

[delamaize]

That is some serious chopping Steve!

Anyways, I dug out one of my Piko cars ( I couldn't find the other, maroon one).

(Attachment Link)

I measured the axle length and it is 0.599". The wheel diameter at the thread is 0.215"  That is around 33 scale inches.

those trucks look identical to some of the west german stuff, I wonder if their is a newer production truck that he could swap out for, and eliminate the wheel problem altogether.