Piko USA passenger car scale?

R

Robert Howard

Registered
Hi

Does anyone know the scale of the Piko USA wooden passenger cars? Also would be good to know if they look OK with the equivalent LGB rolling stock?

I appreciate there is a bit of use of a rubber ruler but I would prefer to be closer to 1:20.3 than 1:29 :-)

Looking at Piko as easiest to get hold of...

Cheers

Rob
 
Overall scale is comparable (if not identical) to the LGB coaches. Major difference: PIKO cut out 2 extra windows compared to LGB.

I have some measurements and comparison pictures between a PIKO D&RGW and LGB PRR coach on my website: http://www.gscalenews.com/review/piko-g-38610-drgw-wood-coach
 
I have the impression that PIKO is mostly 1:32 scale. The USA outline freight cars are but the passenger cars may be different.
 
I just wish manufacturers would get closer to scale length. These are way too short . The Bachmann coaches are too short compared to typical US coaches of this vintage but just about acceptable. If the Piko coaches were anywhere reasonable length I would buy some. Unfortunatelu I would not enjoy running these because they look so wrong. Shame because everything other than length is pretty good.

The Piko box cars look odd when mixed with other wagons because they are smaller in all dimensions. Again this is a shame because I would have bought some if they looked reasonable with my other stock.

Don't get me wrong, I am impressed with what Piko has done since they started but for me the US stock just doesn't fit my desires.

I also think they (and other manufacturers) should publish a scale on everything.
 
The problem is Chris, do you go for scale or the rubber ruler.
The rubber ruler gives you the consistent size that you request, The scale would give you the 'er' scale. you cant have both.
 
i would love to buy products from piko

but when you model usa 1 20 and 1 29 there is nothing suitable

which is a shame

but some of there euro stuff is lovely
 
Most of Piko's Euro stock seems to be around 1/26 scale, with a little bit of rubber ruler applied (but arguably less bendy than LGB's!). It's a compromise to make standard-gauge prototypes that still run on 45mm track, and to have models that don't look completely out of place when mixed with LGB stock. I have a BR64 with a rake of the 6-wheel green "Rekowagen" coaches, and though the overall size of the loco and stock is roughly the same as equivalent LGB (like, for example, a Harz 2-6-2), the Piko loco cab height and coach door heights are noticeably less then typical LGB when placed next to each other.

For "rule 8 running" I'm happy to mix them, however, and visually they are quite acceptable together.

Jon.
 
The Devonian said:
I have the impression that PIKO is mostly 1:32 scale. The USA outline freight cars are but the passenger cars may be different.
Click to expand...

The Piko 'American standard gauge' cars are the old Model Diecasting tooling (MDC) and are in the main 1/32 scale, with the exception of the caboose. In the MDC/Piko line there is a 1/24 scale 'narrow-gauge' caboose. Alas, Piko did not get all the old MDC tooling and thus the 2-bay and 3-bay hopper tooling are not available.

The Piko European 'standard gauge' rolling stock are more likely close to LGB's 'standard gauge' 1/26 - 1/29 scale but 'rubberised' to match LGB non-standard gauge rolling stock. Like the LGB products scale is compromised to suit both R1 trackwork and commonality in sizing across the range, with the 'Tee' being an example with windows removed to compromise the length. I would have been happy to purchase a 'Tee' had Piko modelled it rather than compromised the end product.

Years ago an American kit manufacturer determined the ideal sized packaging to both attract the eye plus maximise instore shelf space. Thus all packaging was identical in linear dimensions, but the kit inside whether boat, plane or car was 'scaled' to fit the box dimensions. LGB does not have a monopoly on the infamous rubber ruler.
 
I run all US stock but Had decided I would buy a Piko TEE when it was announced. I was so disappointed when I saw it that I abandoned the idea. Yes it is a good model in many ways but for me it looks so wrong being that short. It just doesn't capture the look of the real thing.
 
Tim and I have both commented that the PIKO American cars are mainly 1:32 and as Chris says do not sit well with 1:29.
 
I have used a couple of Piko Open Wagons on my Rollblocks. They have SG Buffers and I have pushed the Wheels out to G3. Look ok from most angles even though the scale is nearer to G1 than 1:24ish.
JonD
 
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