Track cleaner from Piko

1to3 said:
Ah, got it. I was thinking, I already ordered one... what sale? :)
Just in case, it will be more expensive in the States than in Germany or Europe. I see 219 Euros, and $229 Dollars in the U.S. (At full price.) That is actually a pretty decent break on what would usually be the extra charge for getting it in the U.S.
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229??? Where are you buying from??
 
I tend to buy from OnlyTrains - price seems to be a bit better. The Clean Machine is only $185 on that website. So, $200 with shipping.
 
I paid GBP 175 (in round-ish figures) including carriage..

It is listed at £215 over here.
 
I know the price from one well known USA dealer will be $183.95, so I expect that will be the going rate for the other competitive dealers.
 
Gizzy said:
Well I gave in and brought one at the Essex GSS meet today....

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I got a blue one from Top Slots. Arrived Saturday after ordering on Thursday. They are a great service at that Shop. Do not need the clean machine as it will be all Battery Radio with Sound if I can stuff it all in. Track Cleaning not an issue for me now. But I rather prefer the Black Handrails to the Yellow ones on mine, can see them being a constant source of problems with Paintin Touch ups. Just need to refind that site with all the German Criters to get some detailing inspiration.
 
The yellow one has black handrails.. - Well, the 'Clean Machine' version, anyway..

Personally, I think the handrails (which are quite fine mouldings) may be a weak-point?
 
PhilP said:
Personally, I think the handrails (which are quite fine mouldings) may be a weak-point?
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Always an issue - both with production locos and kit built / bashed. How to pick them up, and more importantly, how to pick them up in a hurry when you're not really thinking :oops::oops::oops:
 
PhilP said:
The yellow one has black handrails.. - Well, the 'Clean Machine' version, anyway..

Personally, I think the handrails (which are quite fine mouldings) may be a weak-point?
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Rhinochugger said:
Always an issue - both with production locos and kit built / bashed. How to pick them up, and more importantly, how to pick them up in a hurry when you're not really thinking :oops::oops::oops:
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I think the Piko ones may be a little better than most as they are not glued into the body thus hopefully allowing them to pop out if pushed hard. Certainly will help when doing painting etc as handrails and puffer pipes are likely to break if well glued in place when trying to remove for a respray,or mods.
 
Piko sell handrails as spares
Mate has them in his shop ..not sure for which locos as they have just arived
 
Have just managed to get my Piko Non Track Cleaner to bits for investigations into Battery Conversion with Sound and Radio. Hence buying the best valued one rather than the additionally priced BatteryTrack Cleaner. Simple pull apart except for the Cab from the Hood. Trick was to gently lever where the slot in between the two and it started lifting. Almost as tricky as a Playmobil 5258. Only damage was one window surplus glazing broke. But as I plan to remove as much of the surplus plastic around the glazing as possible not an issue. Here she is undressed as it were for any of you too timid to pull one apart, but interested in the guts. In truth if you Chip it with a Piko Chip you will need to do this pull apart except for perhaps the Windows.
image.jpeg
Note all the small bits in a Plastic Bag to save getting lost. Be a while before I attack this little treasure
 
Rhinochugger said:
If you haven't read 'Barefoot Soldier' - then you must get hold of a copy :nod::nod::nod:
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For those of us unfamiliar with the book, and unlikely to ever be able find the time, could you enlighten us as to the relevance in this case? I'm sure it is either funny and/or poignant, but I'd like to know why! ;)

Jon.
 
Zerogee said:
For those of us unfamiliar with the book, and unlikely to ever be able find the time, could you enlighten us as to the relevance in this case? I'm sure it is either funny and/or poignant, but I'd like to know why! ;)

Jon.
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It is the story of Johnson Beharry VC - but, when he first went into the army (which saved him from a downward spiral in terms of lifestyle / career) part of his job was basic mechanical maintenance to his armoured personnel carrier, and he impressed his trainers when as a result of time spent in a relative's workshop in Grenada, he placed every nut, bolt and washer etc in plastic bags, and thus was the only one to correctly reassemble the vehicle every time.

It's quite a gripping story, the action where he gained his VC being a very small part of it - that action links with another, unrelated book entitled 'Sniper One' which is equally gripping.

I only got to read them because a mate of mine at work used to trawl the second hand book shops - some of the stuff was OK, some informative, but these two stick in the mind:nerd::nerd::nerd:
 
Rhinochugger said:
It is the story of Johnson Beharry VC - but, when he first went into the army (which saved him from a downward spiral in terms of lifestyle / career) part of his job was basic mechanical maintenance to his armoured personnel carrier, and he impressed his trainers when as a result of time spent in a relative's workshop in Grenada, he placed every nut, bolt and washer etc in plastic bags, and thus was the only one to correctly reassemble the vehicle every time.
.............
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Aha, thanks! I knew I'd seen the title somewhere...... Yes, always good to keep your nuts in a plastic bag for safety..... ;)

Jon.
 
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