The prototype for Piko’s model is a B-B diesel-hydraulic that was developed for the East German railways (Deutsche Reichsbahn, or DR). In the late 1980s, the DR mounted 10 of the standard-gauge four-axle locomotives on meter-gauge three-axle trucks. These diesels served on the Harz Mountain lines.
Piko is offering the same basic locomotive in narrow-gauge (as tested) and standard-gauge versions. The crisply molded, well proportioned, neatly detailed, and smoothly painted plastic body is approximately 1:25 scale, which makes it about 15 percent oversized for 1:29.5 standard gauge. It is roughly 10 percent undersized for 1:22.5 meter gauge, but it’s more than large enough to tower realistically above European-prototype narrow-gauge coaches.
Some details, such as grab irons, are separate parts, but most are molded into the shell. The locomotive has a sturdy plastic frame with two large cast-metal weights, one over each truck.
Each truck has a can motor that powers the outer axles of each truck via a worm drive with acetal plastic gears. Pickup is via axle wipers plus sprung pickup shoes. The model has rubber tires on two wheels and is equipped for a plug-in conversion to Digital Command Control (DCC) using a Piko decoder. A conversion using a different brand of decoder may require minor soldering. To open the model, remove eight screws that hold the shell in place, and then unsnap the end platforms and the shell.
Our sample ran smoothly and quietly in both DC and DCC (with a Piko decoder installed) modes and with LGB MTS digital. Believe it or not, it has a minimum radius of about 24″. Check your clearances before putting it into service – it’s a large locomotive – but if you’re a fan of traditional European G scale trains, give this powerful and visually impressive diesel a look.
Price: $399.99
Manufacturer
PIKO America, LLC
4610 Alvarado Canyon Rd., Suite 5
San Diego, CA 92120
www.piko-america.com
Era: 1990 to present
Features
- Die-cast metal wheels
- Dual five-pole can motors
- Recommended minimum radius: 24″ (600 mm)
- Weight: 3 pounds 8 ounces
