I always enjoy when the Euro model companies make US rolling stock. It's always interesting what they pick to make and why

@Greatdome99

5 ай бұрын

It was imported by AHM in Philadelphia. I'm sure they made the choices.

New Piko models are absolutely top notch! They really look after even the smallest details.

i know someone who worked on these and the level of detail everyone at piko was able to do on their first main us model is incredible, the dcc version has so many cool features that took forever to iron out but are all perfect, its such a cool model and is nearly perfect in every way

Unfortunately, as is so widely the case, Piko has become very expensive in recent years, but their models are definitely among the finest German mainstream model manufacturing has to offer! I own three Piko Expert locomotives and especially my two diesels (one East German, one Polish) are the smoothest runners in my collection, as well as being extremely quiet. One thing I also really enjoy, and I'd be very interested if that's also the case for the ML4000, is that at least my Polish diesel is capped at a realistic scale top speed out of the box. I was used to models being able to run much faster than their realistic top speed before. I'm really happy you gave Piko a shot and I hope they continue to serve the American market. Maybe they can even serve the extremely small, almost entirely Märklin-dominated three-rail American segment.

@TobiasL1000

5 ай бұрын

They also improved in quality with the price. And if you like it cheap they also have the hobby line etc. I also don’t like the development of prices. But this model is totally new, with new molda and everything. You can get the sound version in Germany for 311€ already. If I compare it to Märklins ES44, which are just old MTHs, it’s so much nicer

I bought the original D&RG A-A set in the 70s. It was the smoothest runner I had. Now i know why - Brass Gears! I sold it at a train show, but recently bought the A unit again. Thanks for the review!

That Rivarossi drivetrain was also used on their E8s and GG1s. The three pole motor had ball bearings and was very reliable, but incapable of slow speed running, in part because of the high gearing. These were easily capable of reaching 150+ mph--if you had the courage to turn up the voltage.

I hope these do well enough for PIKO to do the other KM unit that made it stateside. I don't recall the designation, but it more closely resembles an EMD hood unit whereas these are more of a carbody style.

@Greatdome99

5 ай бұрын

Also named ML4000. SP acquired 15 hood unit versions in 1963. Unfortunately SP was using cheap sub-standard diesel fuel developed in concert with Standard Oil, which didn't work well with those precision Maybach motors.

Yes, this is a bit pricey model, but it is incredible. I love the unit that I recently purchased.

A wonderful model hopefully next month Germany and thus myself gets their batch. My only nitpick coming from Europe is the lack of NEM pockets. But luckily I have my connections to get Kadees ;) In regards to Piko's steamers I can highly recommend their latest models as in the BR 93, BR 78 and BR 03 very solidly build and a good quality.

I spoke with Dave from Spring Creek Models at the train show this past weekend here in San Antonio and he got a small batch of these in stock but they sold out quickly which shocked him, he’s been getting a lot of requests for more of these. I just ordered one for myself on Reynauld’s website (26 Feb 24) and they still have both DCC and DCC w/ sound in stock, the sound version is $348 and it’s a LOKsound system. Thanks for the nice video!

Always liked these locomotives Have 8 of the Rivarossi’s 4 of each road name I collected thru the years and pre-ordered the all 3 Road numbers released by Piko which I waited over a year ago. Cannot say nothing wrong about them Highly detailed and Sound in magnificent. Highly recommend these Piko HO Models. Has the most Lighting effects I have ever seen on a HO model ever!

I have both the early and later Rivarossi SP units. The later one was numbered 9001 and the early one was not numbered. I DCC'ed the later model and it runs as long as you start at speed step 5 or above, lol. I also have a Rivarossi D&RGW dummy version that I plan to decal for SP. Where to find black SOUTHERN PACIFIC decals? Maybe from a hopper set? I don't know yet. This was a great review video and I enjoy seeing the Piko model in your super-elevated curves.

I had totally forgotten about Andreotti and I happen to have the original Rivarossi model, with dummy unit, sitting in a shelf. You tempt me to give them new life. Funny review!

My 9000/9001 set is about to arrive… just anxious to see what it will look like at club layout. 😊😊

10/10 video would love to see a review of a inturban car

I never thought any manufacturer would take up production of ML4000s. Quite fitting for a German manufacturer to do so considering the origins of the prototype. Seems like a very nice model; I like the review, well balanced and informative. The Rivarossi model has that 70s charm that I grew up with though.

@InterurbanEra

15 күн бұрын

Thank you, I really appreciate feedback like this. I agree. The Piko is the definitive finescale model of the ML4000, and the Rivarossi model will always have an irresistible vintage charm. I plan to do more old vs new reviews like this to highlight the positive points of each.

Like them so much that I bought all three of them😅

I found this review to be really informative. Thank you for sharing this review.

Amazing video! Can't wait for 6 move to arrive!

I have the original riv model, but i switched out the running gear for an original athearn blue box ge U boat metal under frame and power assembly, i retained the rossi truck frames. It runs beautifully! Nice to see this unit making a come back! Thinking of making one i 1/29 scale.

I don't even model western rail and I was considering one of these. My local shop had a few come in and they were gorgeous. The Piko wiring standard is a bit goofy, but I'm sure they could be converted to esu if you didn't want to use the Piko decoders. I may need to grab one from the second run, though I am sad to hear they axed plans to make the hood units.

@amtraklover

5 ай бұрын

Wait there not doing the hood units? Where did you hear that because that's sucks that they won't.

@MisfitRailSystem

5 ай бұрын

@@amtraklover I believe one of my friends at the local hobby shop asked Piko about it. One of them was holding off until they made the D&RGW units.

I thought about getting one of these as a gift for my brother since he models HO and I don't, but he said he barely remembered they existed so I dropped idea. This made me want to get one for myself.

I've had a Rivarossi for the better part of 2 decades. Really need to get this current Piko with sound!

I super detailed my Rivarossi MK and it looks amazing. I plan to buy one of the piko ones also.

This makes me want to model SP or DRGW!

I like the video and the concept. A reason. Piko is now what Rivarossi was 40 t0 60 yrs ago. A bit excentrique. International oriented. and not always logical/solid in choises. As N gauge railer I just refer to their DB IC 1979 cars. Expensive but not perfect; their V200 engine ; supercheap and almost perfect. A bit the RR breathe back then. Glad you are happy. That means its a master piece by PIKO. when they operate on top its real on the top. So my hope? an N gauge version of the riogrande

@petert9749

4 ай бұрын

See discussion under comments in 'Shane's Trains' recent feature on a Kato SD-7. Shane is good value. Thanks to our host.

Just an interesting detail - if you look at windows, all are polished and very clear. Piko makes it on all their models. Unfortunatelly their decoders are not very good. So I order the DC version and put ESU LokSound in it. After this success you can await next paint schemes from Piko for sure! So look forward! 😊

I can't tell in your photo, but are only two of the three axles on that Rivarossi truck powered? A remarkable design choice indeed, if so!

@InterurbanEra

5 ай бұрын

Yes! only 2 axles on that truck are powered. Giving the overall wheel arrangment a goofy UIC classification of "(1B)-3" as opposed to the real life prototype's Co-Co config.

0:09 Let me just answer that as a no..... currently there is an issue with some lighting boards and ESU decoders. The lighting boards have scrambled on one I am working on, and Piko is still trying to figure out a fix. A rare failure now, but one that people will probably want to keep an eye on. Really pretty model though, and hoping to play with mine when they find a fix....

@InterurbanEra

5 ай бұрын

This is great information to share, I'm always keeping tabs on model reliability issues, so I'll keep an eye on PIKOs fix for this when it comes out. The one I tested was DC in this case.

@MrRailroadrunner

5 ай бұрын

@@InterurbanEra I finally found a fix and reported it to Piko today. The lighting decoders can be reset using JMRI and a Piko BR83 Lichtdecoter profile. To reset the board, CV 1019 gets set to 255, but you cannot conventionally program this. I had to use JMRI to send the command to an NCE Power Cab.

@GerhardtEder

4 ай бұрын

Same here. lights failed after a few seconds at the dealers test track. - What should be mentioned is that this strange Piko Decoder is all but incompatible (re programming) with most DCC Systems and everything other than basic changes require a €200.- Piko Interface/ programmer.

@MrRailroadrunner

4 ай бұрын

@@GerhardtEder My solution has been to fully program the decoder out of the engine. I bought mine DCC ready, and used an ESU sound decoder with a German V160 soundset, which has the correct Maybach 870D engine. Interestingly enough, that sound file was published to ESU's library by Piko, so likely it is the same file as their factory sound decoders.

Fun review!

I just acquired my PIKO unit and have not run it yet. Do not have sound! I do however have 3 customer built ML-4000’s done with Athearn Blue Box U33C’s and the Rivarossi ML’s… they look and run good but they are not PIKO or Brass. Detail is like they can except for the front plow being body mounted instead of truck mounted. Truck side frames are still being worked out. Run well though with an Athearn frame and motor!

0:25 Rated horsepower was 3540. 2:53 SP units had two Pyle Gyralights, DRGW units had a Mars Signal Light.

@InterurbanEra

5 ай бұрын

Excellent, thanks. That makes sense.

IIRC SP liked Gyralight....a lot.

you should do a layout tour

That’s a beautiful model!

excellent Piko

It needs a lot of time, but I would love to see someone solve the problems of updating Rivarossi locos to stringent modern standards. Thanks

@InterurbanEra

4 ай бұрын

Someone has, the legendary Clyde King meticulously rebuilt them into ultra fine models: pbase.com/espeef5/more_km_project_photos

@petert9749

4 ай бұрын

Thanks for that; fantastic. I think the E8 shell is still hard to beat. The FM shell can be extensively rebuilt. Thanks for that.@@InterurbanEra

I there an easy way to change out the wheels on the Rivarossi model ? I have found that these older locos can't run on code 83 track due to the "pizza cutter" wheel design. I had a Rivarossi GG! and had to sell it because of the wheel/sleeper/track noise.

Do you know what Kadee coupler that would fit this engine. My club requires Kadee coupler

@InterurbanEra

2 ай бұрын

I'd recommend a Kadee 148 or 158 whisker coupler.

Piko were always ahead of the game even back in the 1970s under communist ownership.

Something is not quite right with the esthetics of the Piko ML-4000 compared to the Rivarossi 1960's example.