Pico Whitcomb N scale w & wo sound pre-order

[up1950s]

https://www.trainworld.com/piko-40802-n-65-de-19-a-diesel-usatc-ii-non-sound-only-will-run-on-code-80.html

Pre-Ordered my 2 grays wo

[up1950s]

For those that may be off put by the code 80 sombreros , street running in an industrial park would mask the rail height and at the same time eliminate the need for vehicle crossings in the entire complex .

[Cajonpassfan]

Funny, Piko website explicitly states it has fine .56 mm flanges compatible with Code 40 rail. The flanges do look good in photos. I don't know where the Code 80 reference came from...
Otto

[Mark5]

Related discussion: https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=55254.0

[up1950s]

Funny, Piko website explicitly states it has fine .56 mm flanges compatible with Code 40 rail. The flanges do look good in photos. I don't know where the Code 80 reference came from...
Otto

Trainworld's ad .......... https://www.trainworld.com/piko-40802-n-65-de-19-a-diesel-usatc-ii-non-sound-only-will-run-on-code-80.html . .......... The picture looks like small flanges .     Maybe the other side has big flanges ? Maybe the photo shopped N couplers on a HO loco ?

[Jbub]

My bet is they just associated big flanges with Piko locomotives and didn't look at the spec's Piko put out for the loco. Even with that, I think you're right about the photoshoping of the couplers. If you look at the level of detail between the HO and the N versions, they are the same and the rapido couplers don't look like they attach to anything.

[peteski]

Yes, I have seem several exampled of European model manufacturers using Photoshopped H0 models as stand-ins for N scale. This is especially apparent in steam loco modes as things like wheel spokes and valve gear are much finer looking in H0 models.

Fleischmann has been doing that for a while.  But their 2023 catalog goes one step further. They now use computer renderings of the model, and those are fairly hard to tell that rthey are not photos of the model! 

[nstars]

I do have a Piko EMU which has no problem over our layout with code 55. It could be that it may have an issue with code 55 atlas track just like some MT cars. This is a combination I haven't tested yet.

Marc

[peteski]

I do have a Piko EMU which has no problem over our layout with code 55. It could be that it may have an issue with code 55 atlas track just like some MT cars. This is a combination I haven't tested yet.

Marc

Um, which brand of c55 track do you have on your layout?  That would be a good clue.  Usually Atlas c55 flex is the least compatible since its spikes are quite high, while PECO c55 track, due to its design, is compatible with all "pizza cuter" flanges.

[JoeD]

Um, which brand of c55 track do you have on your layout?  That would be a good clue.  Usually Atlas c55 flex is the least compatible since its spikes are quite high, while PECO c55 track, due to its design, is compatible with all "pizza cuter" flanges.

my guess is it will be ok with other code 55 since our original flange wheel sets worked before Atlas did their code 55.  I also suspect there will be a healthy market for replacement wheels since tall flanges will not set well with the proto-centric guys.     I'll be getting one for sure.

Joe

[Ntrainz1]

from a Trainworld email:

"2 Paint Schemes for this year – ACL #70 and USATC.  The real ACL locos traveled quite a bit across the South.
Both paint schemes available in non-sound DC and DCC/Sound versions.
Wheels conform to NMRA S4.2 – Considered “Fine Scale” in N-Scale.  Good down to even Code 40 rail.
Models supplied by PIKO America to our retailers and consumers come with knuckle couplers and fully enclosed end beams.  Models purchased elsewhere come with European couplers and rather large openings on the end beams, plus buffers on the USATC locos.
The first production run would have been here earlier, but our factory engineers wanted to improve the operation of the knuckle couplers.  The couplers on the two pre-production samples already worked better than half the couplers of various brands on our test layout.
PIKO-brand (not made by another company!) Smart Sound Decoder 5.1 on sound versions follows typical American function order – playable horn, manual notching for those who use it, other sound functions.  Same decoder firmware as the latest HO Whitcombs.
Many lighting functions – Directional “Golden Glow” LED headlights, directional lighted marker lamps, lighted numberboards, lighted cab interior.
Diecast metal construction for extra weight, more pulling power and overall better operation.
Metal handrails in easily-damaged areas.
Model has two traction tires.  Only one truck is powered.  See the video to show the results of German engineering!  Smooth operation and better pulling power than much larger diesel locos.
Due late October/early November"

Concerned about "Model has two traction tires.  Only one truck is powered."

[peteski]

Concerned about "Model has two traction tires.  Only one truck is powered."

Yes, that seems really odd for a brand new recently designed model.  That seems to imply that only 2 wheels pick up power on the powered track, and I assume that 4 wheels pick up power on the dummy truck, but how well that works in practice?

What I also  find strange is that they tout how heavy the model is, so why does it need 2 traction tires?  These were switching engines, not something that needs to pull a 100 car hopper train.

Also interesting is that the European version has "pizza-cutter" flanges, where the U.S. version does not?  I'm surprised they were willing to machine different wheels for each version.  But even the U/S. version will not have the flanges up to the NMRA standard.

Also interesting comment about their coupler which I assume is another iteration of their version of the RMR (Vlk) coupler used on their S1 diesel.  That one was not quite compatible with MTL coupler.  Maybe they fixed the problem I pointed out in my S1 review.

[Jim Starbuck]

I’m looking forward to seeing how they do. If it hauls 8-10 cars I’m fine with that.
I hope the lighting functions can be mapped separately though and not be hokey directional lighting ala Paragon 3 but I suspect that’s what it’s going to be. I won’t like like it but hey, how often can you use Whitcomb, Buda and N Scale all in the same sentence?

@peteski,
That was Arnold that used the RMR coupler on the SW1. The Whitcomb is coming from Piko. Are the two companies related?

[peteski]

I’m looking forward to seeing how they do. If it hauls 8-10 cars I’m fine with that.
I hope the lighting functions can be mapped separately though and not be hokey directional lighting ala Paragon 3 but I suspect that’s what it’s going to be. I won’t like like it but hey, how often can you use Whitcomb, Buda and N Scale all in the same sentence?

@peteski,
That was Arnold that used the RMR coupler on the SW1. The Whitcomb is coming from Piko.

You're right - got those 2 German companies confused.

As for decoders, I have a fairly recent PIKO German diesel model with a factory installed sound decoder and it does not play well with my NCE DCC system. Same with CVP EasyDCC. But it works fine on Digitrax.  I know what some of the problem is, but there is no good solution for it.
That decoder is made by some German company I don't recall their name.  I think it is probably pretty advanced as far as customization go, if you can locate a full manual.  I have put my loco put aside until I can find some time to concentrate on figuring it out.

Edit:  I found the decoder info. According to https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=55254.msg758695#msg758695 Piko decoders are made by Uhlenbrock (pretty much unknown stateside). https://www.uhlenbrock.de/de_DE/index.htm  That is probably a good place to look for a manual.

[Tom L]

I was excited about these, but I can’t see buying one if there are traction tires involved.  Disappointed in that, as it seems like reliable electrical contact is a bigger concern than lack of pulling power in this type of loco. 

Tom L.