G Scale Model Train Forum banner
Cancel
Create thread New Forums

Piko 25 Tonner Diesel announced

Jump to Latest
21 - 36 of 36 Posts
#21 · (Edited)
The cleaning pads are fitted to what would be the pickup shoes on a track-powered loco.
These are a more effective material than the rubberized abrasive pads other makers have used for cleaning blocks and cars.
Cleaning works by the loco making multiple passes around the layout, much like a cleaning car. But the big difference is that a cleaning car typically needs a loco to push or pull it, which means the track needs to be clean enough for the loco to run - rather a "Catch 22" situation.
The Clean Machine propels itself, even if the track is filthy. In roughly the time that an LGB 20670 will slowly crawl around a layout cleaning it's own path, the Clean Machine will have made many laps of the layout.

I thought I had a picture of these Piko cleaning pads but now cannot quickly find it.
There is a ton of interesting new G-Scale stuff being shown at the Nurnberg Fair that I haven't sorted out yet.

But in general, remember that this loco is only scheduled to be available in September/October time frame so there may still be small changes before it is actually shipped.
 
#22 ·
First, I am not trying to be argumentative, but some statements don't make a lot of sense, but getting the loco will prove it out.

" These are a more effective material than the rubberized
abrasive pads other makers have used for cleaning blocks and cars"
Very interesting, for all the decades people have been making cleaning pads for trains, someone has come out with something new and better. I hope that Piko really has done this. I'm skeptical though.

But the big difference is that a cleaning car typically needs
a loco to push or pull it, which means the track needs to be clean enough
for the loco to run - rather a "Catch 22" situation. The Clean Machine
propels itself, even if the track is filthy.
I suspect my problem with this paragraph is that "clean" and "filthy" here in the united states means not dirty, i.e. dirt, organic matter, etc. Clearly this little loco has much less traction and motive power than a larger loco, so substituting "oxidized" for "filthy" and making the assumption that "clean" means "not oxidized" will then make sense.

(It always amazes me that German/Austrian manufacturers cannot work more closely with English-speaking modelers to convey information.)

If that was re-written: "A track powered cleaning system is sort of a catch-22, you need good pickup to move the unit that is needed to creat the good pickup situation", for example a track powered "oxidation removal" car will run best when the rails completely clear of oxidation and run poorest when the rails are oxidized, thus when most needed the track power is the most difficult to obtain.


I guess I just like to discriminate between cleaning and oxidation removal, 2 different operations with 2 different results for different reasons. I "clean" my stainless rails, and NEVER use any abrasive. Brass rails need abrasive unless you are using acid. My track cleaning requirements match what battery people do, clear big obstructions.

Anyway, thanks for the information, really, too much speculation.

So my take is that the "big news" is that it is track powered. I will really look forwards to the new cleaning compound that must truly be groundbreaking if a tiny loco with no weight only a few driving wheels and tiny batteries can do better that an LGB track cleaning car (which by the way removes the oxide before the pickup wheels get there, so no catch-22).

Greg
 
#25 ·
I don't use my LGB 20670 very often any more.
Doesn't work as well in practice as in theory.

When the cleaning wheels are turning in the opposite direction than the driving wheels (which is the way the loco is normally wired), it's very easy to gouge the rails a bit if the loco hesitates when running - and it does.
I reversed the wiring so that the cleaning wheels turn in the same direction as the driving wheels and that works much better.

But the way I understand it, the new Piko cleaning loco is meant to run around the layout a number of times to "clean" the rails and it should do that consistently since it's battery powered.
In comparison the LGB track cleaning loco runs much slower and is supposed to clean the rails in a single pass.

But in the end, we will have to wait until the fall to see how well (or how poorly) the Piko unit works when it comes to cleaning the rails. I would imagine the performance is similar to the cleaning pads one can mount under an LGB freight car or the Aristo caboose with the cleaning pads.
 
#28 ·
It's just a basic shell using 3D printing to show the size of the unit.
Click to expand...
Huh. While I appreciate the problems of squeezing everything in to a small model of a small prototype, I do not appreciate them picking an obscure scale like 1/24. We already have lots of 1/22.5 and even 1:20. Why couldn't they be consistent with the rest of the industry.
 
#29 ·
Pete,

1/24 is not at all obscure in Large Scale.
There are a number of manufacturers stating that as their "official" scale
The Aristocraft Classic line was in 1/24
Hartland products are in 1/24
USA Trains Work train series is 1/24
Accucraft made 1/24 items
American Model Builders is 1/24
and there are a few more

I rather like true 1/24 scale products since it is easy to get accessories.
Have you ever tried to find a 1/22.5 or 1/29 automobile or truck to go with your trains.
Pretty much impossible whereas 1/24 die cast cars are a dime a dozen.

And btw - LGB states 1/22.5 scale for their narrow gauge equipment but when you actually measure the length of an RhB Ge 4/4 loco it's pretty much dead on in 1/24 scale. The LGB autocarrier has two cars on it that are also 1/24 scale - it's right on the cars when you turn them upside down.

I think for Piko this was the right way to go.
As someone said "G" for "Goofy"
People have no problem running 1/29, 1/24 and 1/22.5 box cars in the same consist.
 
#30 ·
krs said:
I rather like true 1/24 scale products since it is easy to get accessories.
Click to expand...
Yes. I like it for freelance builds because it is a nice even measurement to work with - if you aren't using metric!
A lot of my builds and bashes use HLW stock.
1/25 scale is also used at times, true, it is several percentage points different from 1/24, but it can be handy for fudging the 25.4 millimeters per inch in to 1/25 scale inches.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#32 ·
First definition online of Filthy:
1.
disgustingly dirty.

It's battery powered to go over that disgusting dirt! I can see a spun glass pad and a cleaning fluid being more efficient than wool...
Let's wait and see!
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#34 ·
It has a piece of silicon carbide drywall sandpaper stuck to the pickup shoes with double sticky tape. Clearly that is not how the real unit will work.

Look at it in high resolution on a big screen at about 3:10....

Greg
 
21 - 36 of 36 Posts
About this Discussion
35 Replies
13 Participants
Last post:
Doug C
G Scale Model Train Forum
posts
460K
members
32K
Since
2007
A forum community dedicated to G scale model train owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about collections, displays, models, styles, scales, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Live Steam General G Scale Discussions Beginner's Forum Model Making Track, Trestles, Bridges and Roadbed