Piko Motor Blocks - Which would be best for Railcar Kit Bash?

SDJR7F88

SDJR7F88

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I've recently been looking through all the amazing posts and topics in the Scratch Bit and Kit Bashing Section, which has prompted me to try and get around to doing something along the lines of a Kit Bash myself. I see that the Piko Motor Block Range has come in very handy for the creation of many superb models, from steam locomotives, diesel shunters and Railcars.
On idea I've been toying around with, is the creating a Diesel Railcar, using one of the Piko Bogie Motor Blocks and Newqida coach. My question is, what is the dimensions of the smallest bogie in the Piko Motor Block Range and would it fit under a Newqida Coach body, with not much modification? Never seen on in the flesh, so would be interesting to know what size and height they really are.
 
'G-bits' has some datasheets of the common Taurus / BR 218 / BR 80 / US 0-6-0 motor blocks: http://www.g-bits.co.uk/PikoMotorBlocks.html

The smallest blocks however are the two-axle blocks from the articulated V 60 or V 36 locomotives:
- V 60: http://www.piko-shop.de/index.php?vw_type=artikel&vw_id=13249
- V 36: http://www.piko-shop.de/index.php?vw_type=artikel&vw_id=17029

The blocks in those locomotives are not catalogued, but can be ordered as a spare part. I don't know the dimensions of these blocks.
- V 60, black frame, black wheels: http://www.piko-shop.de/index.php?vw_type=artikel&vw_id=13709
- V 36, red frame, red wheels: http://www.piko-shop.de/index.php?vw_type=artikel&vw_id=18926

Whatever block you choose, it will probably require a modification to the frame of the Newqida coach.
 
The g-bits (resin d'etre) site has more information on PIKO and other manufacturers motor blocks. I bought an Aristocraft motor block from him recently, excellent service. He notes that PIKO are going to produce a new family of motor blocks using ball bearings. You can also get matching wheel sets to build dummy motor blocks if you don't need the power of two motors (which you probably won't if you are using NQD bodies for a single railcar).
 
I would not touch Piko Blocks with a Bargepole, I have used USA Trains ones in my Railcar as did Andy Rush in his (I inherited that one when he died) both are superb runners.
JinD
 
idlemarvel said:
He notes that PIKO are going to produce a new family of motor blocks using ball bearings.
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They have been around for already four years now.
dunnyrail said:
I would not touch Piko Blocks with a Bargepole
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If you're going to post a statement like that, elaborate why. You're probably talking about the old style blocks, and yes, I agree. The new ball bearing blocks with chromed wheels however are perfectly fine.
 
WillemD said:
They have been around for already four years now.

If you're going to post a statement like that, elaborate why. You're probably talking about the old style blocks, and yes, I agree. The new ball bearing blocks with chromed wheels however are perfectly fine.
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But can you get them? I have been wanting to replace tge Blocks on my Kamel with no luck as they have not updated tge Wheels to the latest standard. Thus so far as I know 6 wheel chassis are of little use. Plus the Piko Blocks are much higher and thus difficult to disguise in a Railcar than the USA ones.
JonD
 
WillemD said:
Jon, the new Kamel blocks are available here (since about a month or so, finally!): http://www.piko-shop.de/index.php?vw_type=artikel&vw_id=20104

I sold the old blocks (for a surprisingly good price), and bought the new ones.
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Many many thanks for that, will be ordering some PDQ. Hiwever wish they gave more info on the site, just a Drawing that gives little comfort thet they are the new Shiny Ones. Presumably they must be the same as in the BR132?
JonD
 
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I have to admit that I probably wouldn't use a Piko block as power for a Newqida railcar conversion, it's not just that they're a bit tall, and long wheelbase, but the wheels themselves are a bit big for the job as well. That's unless you're building one of those early German or Swiss rod-drive railcars that looks like a shotgun marriage between a coach and a vintage loco, then the steam blocks might be ideal.

For things that have a chance of fitting under the floor, the USA trains blocks are pretty much the lowest, but you also can't get the 44tonner block any more, which means the shortest is from the NW2 - 30mm wheels at 84mm wheelbase - quite a bit bigger than G-scale coach bogies. That's probably actually prototypical, the powered truck being bigger/heavier, but means you won't be reusing much of the existing sideframes.

The Piko V36 and V60 blocks are shorter wheelbase, but are also both pretty tall with much larger wheels - probably not what you need. On the smaller and more 'discrete' front, if the USAt unit is too long I'd look at the HLW blocks, probably the 63.5mm interurban one first as it has smaller wheels. I expect you'll be cutting a hole in the floor with either HLW size though.

USA trains blocks : http://www.g-bits.co.uk/USATrainsMotorBlocks.html
HLW interurban : http://www.g-bits.co.uk/HLW2p5inMotorBlocks.html
HLW mack : http://www.g-bits.co.uk/HLW3inMackMotorBlocks.html

Just one of any of the above ought to be fine for a bogie railcar, and with sensible (half a kilo at most) ballasting good for a modest trailing load. For heavier trains, you might need two, how long is a piece of string?

The g-bits link in the earlier post is to an older page, there's a revised menu page that shows all the non-rod blocks and has links to the relevant individual pages.
http://www.g-bits.co.uk/DieselChassisMenu.html

I did the sums the other day and there are currently over 20 different types of block in stock here, with half as many again available as assemble-to-order or special-order. If you've got pictures or dimensions of what you want I'm always happy to work out the best fit for you.

Jonathan
g-bits
 
Nicely said Jonathan, all along I think this is what I was trying to say. Sometimes I do not manage to say it so eloquently as you have.

Do you have any of the new Plated Wheel Power Bogies that would be replacements in my Piko Kamel Yet?
JonD
 
[QUOTE="dunnyrail, post: 446795, member: 251"
Do you have any of the new Plated Wheel Power Bogies that would be replacements in my Piko Kamel Yet?
JonD[/QUOTE]

Not in stock, but hopefully I'll be able to get them - some parts are Piko direct-sale only and some other are available but unlisted until you've guessed the part number correctly.

Looks like the 'new' kamel block is a 37542-35 vs the original being a 37540-35 (And it is common with the BR132, which gives hope for availability). That's not Piko's usual way of updating part numbers, so I'll make the appropriate phone calls on Monday and get back to you.

Jonathan
g-bits.
 
g-bits said:
That's not Piko's usual way of updating part numbers
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Well, it is. The [HASHTAG]#37540[/HASHTAG] had the old blocks, with spare part ET37540-35. The [HASHTAG]#37541[/HASHTAG] had new type wheels but still the old motor type, so spare part ET37541-35. The [HASHTAG]#37542[/HASHTAG] got both new wheels and the new motor, so another new spare part ET37542-35. I don't see what's unusual about it. The same applies to PIKO's V 60 [HASHTAG]#37522[/HASHTAG] and [HASHTAG]#37523[/HASHTAG].

PIKO could have communicated it better though, they still list ET37540-35 as a replacement for the [HASHTAG]#37540[/HASHTAG] on their site (http://www.piko-shop.de/index.php?vw_type=artikel&vw_name=ersatzteil&suchtext=37540), while they should/could just link ET37542-35.
 
Thanks both, if Jonathan can confirm will order a couple from him. Must say Piko as you say Willem is a bit confusing. Guess it is all in their learning process of going via the varying Chassis and Wheel Block Types. I have seen the complex Matrix on this and I guess it needs another update or three. They are certainly becoming a force in G Scale, though I wish they would concentrate on Proper NG.
JonD
 
Thanks for all the help guys. It's all just a little idea at the moment, weather I get around to it or not is another thing. I started a 00 gauge kit bash of GWR 2600 Class in Autumn 2014 saying it would be a quick, cheap and simple project.... Over a year and a half on and it still not complete, but getting there. :D Used a Lima 09 chassis for that build...
 

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SDJR7F88 said:
... I started a 00 gauge kit bash of GWR 2600 Class in Autumn 2014 saying it would be a quick, cheap and simple project.... Over a year and a half on and it still not complete, but getting there. :D Used a Lima 09 chassis for that build...
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Hadn't twigged that was you despite the 'clue' of having the same username... Saw the Aberdare on rmweb at the time and still think the boiler and chassis donors were a really neat bit of lateral thinking. For anyone who's not seen it the original thread is definitely worth a look :
http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/93081-gwr-2600-class-kit-bash-in-00-gauge/

Jonathan
 
g-bits said:
Hadn't twigged that was you despite the 'clue' of having the same username... Saw the Aberdare on rmweb at the time and still think the boiler and chassis donors were a really neat bit of lateral thinking. For anyone who's not seen it the original thread is definitely worth a look :
http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/93081-gwr-2600-class-kit-bash-in-00-gauge/

Jonathan
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Thanks ever so much Jonathan. Hope to bring a bit more progress on the project very soon. ;)
 
SDJR7F88 said:
On idea I've been toying around with, is the creating a Diesel Railcar, using one of the Piko Bogie Motor Blocks and Newqida coach. My question is, what is the dimensions of the smallest bogie in the Piko Motor Block Range and would it fit under a Newqida Coach body, with not much modification?
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Interesting idea!

I am currently cutting down a couple of NQD chassis for another project, so if you need details of mounting points and measurements, then give me a shout....
 
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