Casselman ON: Review - PIKO

[@SleeperSteam]

What a handsome locomotive, I've been window shopping for one of these units to run on my dead rail layout I'm building when the live steamer isn't in service. Your video put me over the edge, I'm going to grab a D&RGW variant!

[@Terrys-Steam-and-Bricks]

@@SleeperSteam hurrah! These are fun locos. No speed demons like the real thing, but I think a pretty good value. I’ve had it long enough now to really say that. I’ve just brought it over to run on friend’s layouts in Scotland and England too.

[@johnlazar7582]

That's a cool little locomotive. This would be perfect for my outdoor layout! Thanks for the great review!

[@Terrys-Steam-and-Bricks]

You’re welcome John. I would recommend it. Especially for smaller layouts like mine.

[@watchfordpilot]

Great review and instructional video! Amazing how a lick of paint can totally transform the character of the loco. Also impressed with the wide range of features, sound and accessories that come with the package. Looking forward to the 'head to head' video.

[@Terrys-Steam-and-Bricks]

Thanks Steve. ☺️ The more I run it the more I like it. Not so easy a drive as my Boulton, but that’s half the fun.

[@YMS09D]

I hope they'll make some of their R/C Steamies battery powered someday; Until then, you sold me on these lil guys!

[@Terrys-Steam-and-Bricks]

@@YMS09D they really do have a good thing going with these RC engines. Simple and they work. Yeah, I’d like to see more engines with similar systems as well.

[@jermca]

Always had a love for little industrials, GE in particular thanks to a youth spent riding the PSTR, then a couple of work terms at a GE plant (with a 50t shop switcher). Wouldn't mind one of these, not at all. It's on my wishlist, certainly! I'm not even into modelling this exact scale and locale anymore, but I could get back into it for this locomotive. Very good customization. The decal covers up the original lettering very well.

[@Terrys-Steam-and-Bricks]

Thanks! I appreciate your telling me your background with GE. 😊

[@Terrys-Steam-and-Bricks]

…and it’s a fun little model. Ot over-powerful, but a take anywhere engine with some nice plusses.

[@timothyboles6457]

Nice review, and it looks great repainted. I've been tempted to get one of those

[@Terrys-Steam-and-Bricks]

For the price they’re not bad. Thanks! I’m glad my paint job turned out ok.

[@caseyjonessnr1200]

Excellent video and review. I have three of the GE 25T Switchers, none of them have sound. I love them. 15:09

[@Terrys-Steam-and-Bricks]

Thanks! I love this one. The sound really makes it come alive. Do you run two or three of yours together?

[@lxdesign1]

good review - as I have been thinking of adding one of these to my collection for days when I just don't want to power my layout, but still run trains... I am in the midst of building a 'field' railway themed layout ... which will be outdoors, on a platform system. Waiting for track parts still to come from LGB/Marklin to complete the layout, and then I start building the bench work, mounting track, adding ballast, etc.

[@Terrys-Steam-and-Bricks]

@@lxdesign1 thanks David. It is a great option for people like us that don’t want to use track power. Now that’ve had this engine since October past I can say I still love it the same. It gets a lot of use, including a video I posted today. I see that your last video was of trains in Banff. I used to spend lots of time railfanning in and around Banff years ago. Will you add some vids of your large scale progress?

[@graffb.5531]

My two make that squeal as well, I’ve got used to it now. Good review! 👍

[@Terrys-Steam-and-Bricks]

Thanks! I now toggle the switch a little just when stopping (now it is second nature for me to do so) and I don’t hear the squeal anymore.

[@davidwhite1864]

I like it.I like it a lot and I would buy one if only as you say they did them in 32mm gauge.A great review Terry.The comparison video should prove very interesting.

[@Terrys-Steam-and-Bricks]

Thanks Dave. Yes, the comparison should be interesting. I have not made it yet, but already I see plusses and minuses to both.

[@fabrizioviscardi40]

Great Piko GE 25 Ton, I like them, cheers Fabrizio - like 1

[@Terrys-Steam-and-Bricks]

Well Fabrizio, i finally decided to get one because of your videos and you telling me they were good. So thank you so much my friend. 😊

[@fabrizioviscardi40]

Very realistic locomotive, nice you have one of them, all the best, Fabrizio@@Terrys-Steam-and-Bricks

[@Terrys-Steam-and-Bricks]

@@fabrizioviscardi40 I’m finally getting around to making the grand opening video of my new Pencross Railway of Eastern Ontario. I have been running trains on it for a while and after tweaking and re-tweaking the track layout I have settled on how it will be and the track is now all screwed down. The video will feature some fictional railway back story and some inaugural live steam running (I have intentionally not run live steam on it yet). As part of my on-going effort to highlight the social side of the hobby… If you would like yo take part, could you send me a short railway and/or hobby related video clip message to include in the video? Like the Tea video, except a different theme. Cheers! Terry Google translate to Italian: Finalmente sto per realizzare il video di inaugurazione della mia nuova Pencross Railway dell'Ontario orientale. Ci ho fatto circolare i treni per un po' e dopo aver modificato e risistemato il layout del binario ho deciso come sarà e il binario ora è tutto rovinato. Il video conterrà alcuni retroscena ferroviari immaginari e alcune corse inaugurali a vapore dal vivo (intenzionalmente non ho ancora eseguito il vapore dal vivo su di esso). Come parte del mio impegno continuo per evidenziare il lato sociale dell'hobby... Se desideri partecipare, potresti inviarmi un breve messaggio video relativo alla ferrovia e/o all'hobby da includere nel video? Come il video di Tea, tranne che per un tema diverso. Saluti! Terry

[@fabrizioviscardi40]

Hi Terry, I hope this movie will be suitable for you: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eHzMaJxpotKUp6M&ab_channel=fabrizioviscardi cheers Fabrizio@@Terrys-Steam-and-Bricks

[@lyndonfoster1090]

Wonderful. Your videos are an inspiration since you have it inside. I like the story too. I bought one of those piko locos too. Battery is the way to go. I keep encouraging piko to make more..Like converting their Saddleback. Have you tried writing piko about the late break sound? Mine doesn't do that. I find them very responsive..pikousa site is who I write. Bother them all the time with product suggestions. Keep the videos coming and your experience and tips are great. Much appreciated

[@Terrys-Steam-and-Bricks]

Thanks Lyndon! I really appreciate your comments. 😊 I did write them at pikousa. I’ll see what they say. I look forward to building this layout. Next spring we’ll start on an small outdoor one too.

[@SwiftSlots]

Totally awesome!!! Love your new indoor railway, but missing your outdoor running.

[@Terrys-Steam-and-Bricks]

Thanks Rob. I’m missing out on outdoor running too. But that will come. Likely in the Spring.

[@everett86]

Great engine! Love the new color. Olive drab? Could paint the interior black to hide the cut legs better i supose. Some engine gauge decals would be a nice touch also. Those sounds are probably the best Ive heard from an engine sound system. Too bad about the brake squeal, what a painful method you had to employ to avoid it. Love the detail on the first flat car with the missing and warped boards... And is that spilled paint too? *chefs kiss*

[@Terrys-Steam-and-Bricks]

The colour is Italian Olive. I probably will paint the deck in the cab black now that I see it put together and running. I may also blot on some gauges and dials. It would be a simple matter for PIKO to have made a sticker. And yes, spilled paint. Lol.

[@Terrys-Steam-and-Bricks]

The sound system seems to be tied into some sort of feedback from the motor power drain, not just the throttle setting. Without changing the throttle it will rev up and bit under the strain of pulling cars around a curve, but rev down a bit when again on a straight.

[@haroldmueler7399]

Hello, did you ever find out what those O rings in the plastic bag are for? I bought a used Piko r/c transformer that also has that same remote, well i also have a bag of O rings, but no idea what they are for, since i have no engine i will guess something for the remote?

[@Terrys-Steam-and-Bricks]

Hi Harold. I never found out officially, but it occurred to me that if I had multiple locos using Piko’s fob RC system I could put different colour rings on each fob so I knew which one would be for what loco. Perhaps that’s it?

[@johnjohnston9661]

Great review! This little loco seems like a good way to explore G scale railroading without breaking the bank. I love the paint scheme you chose; can you tell me what shade of green you used?

[@Terrys-Steam-and-Bricks]

Krylon indoor/outdoor Italian Olive.

[@Terrys-Steam-and-Bricks]

Thanks! It was a fun review to do. Many HO engines with DCC sound approach the price of this one.

[@tylerdewein856]

It looks good with ose box cars. Would you say they are the same scale? I have some Accucraft 1:20.3 cars that seem like they might look a bit too big for this engine. Trying to decide.

[@Terrys-Steam-and-Bricks]

Hi Tyler. I cheat like mad. The tank cars are the Accucraft AMS 1:20.3. The other cars are 1.22.5. The loco is 1:24. When I model my British OO (never yet shown on my channel) everything is exact scale and based on a real railway, down to the equipment. In large scale I focus more on fun than scale fidelity. I have gnomes on my layout after all! ☺️

[@tylerdewein856]

I appreciate that very much! I go for a bit of fantasy too, rather than scale fidelity. Just curious about the equipment you are using. Fun videos, thanks!

[@Terrys-Steam-and-Bricks]

@@tylerdewein856 you’re welcome. ☺️

[@Mariazellerbahn]

About time they made the grab rails from something more substantial than 1mm diameter plastic with half mm fixing spigots. Not really fit for purpose.

[@Terrys-Steam-and-Bricks]

I completely agree. So far I have only used this loco indoors (because since our move last year I have not yet built anything outside). For outside I wish it was more substantial. I do have some steel rod somewhere…

[@EliotJohnson]

Is Peko the only company that has battery operated trains?

[@Terrys-Steam-and-Bricks]

Mamod has battery operated engines. Phil Sharples too. But if you are talking about North American prototypes I’m afraid the makers still mostly rely on track power.

[@huntercoleman460]

Nice engine Terry. Do you like my flat car with tractors?

[@Terrys-Steam-and-Bricks]

Hi Hunter. Thanks. If you mean your Burlington Northern flatcar with three tractors I left a comment on that vid 8 months ago. I do like it! 😊

[@njanzen1]

ya i left my controller outside overnight fell off my chair

[@Terrys-Steam-and-Bricks]

Was it ok?

[@njanzen1]

@@Terrys-Steam-and-Bricks ya, i was lucky, i think i need to put it on a lanyard

[@Terrys-Steam-and-Bricks]

@@njanzen1 lol. Mine’s on a lanyard for this very reason. I leave stuff everywhere!

[@chriswilliams7480]

I have missed Henry and Marge

[@Terrys-Steam-and-Bricks]

They are getting used to their new surroundings.

[@chriswilliams7480]

It is also good to see that the frier has made to move too

[@Terrys-Steam-and-Bricks]

@@chriswilliams7480 haha. Yes, he’s very dedicated to his friends at the railway. 👍

[@laaity]

On the full size here i dont think we do have springs on the couplings You can just push the couplings into position How ever its really hard to couple on corners When i was cleaning 85 2 weeks ago they where testing rolling stock We didn't know this so we where very confused lol Dragging our couch out onto the main and putting it back We where like hhuuuhhh? We have a ruston shunter thats going through restoration And it was standing in front of 85 on the curve The brakes on that thing is non egsastant When they treid coupling up the couplings just went to the the sides of each other So theyd had to push the ruston almost onto 85 to get her coupled Wat also happend the one day They coupled a couch on a curve And pulled it out it uncoupled Luckily it was just being shunted

[@Terrys-Steam-and-Bricks]

Wihann, This is cool information for those of us modellers who have never dealt with shunting with knuckle couplers in the real world. You have some amazing experiences and you are still in school! I’m really glad you took the tike to post your comments. 👍😊

[@laaity]

@@Terrys-Steam-and-Bricks haha i geus i do I got some good dad lore lol Im used to hard work, something most people my age can't say lol The railway has tought me lots of things not just trains Such as How ye gotta be proud of your work Respect Tool nolaige And that everything must be clean Something my brother cant understand and he's 21 lol I work for my dad occasionally But i have to use my brother's tools Nothing is in its place You search for hours for 1 tool And everything is covered in oil greace and dirt I literally took the tool box and tipped it over And i sat there for 2 hours making those tools shine That was 3 months ago My brother came to visit yesterday and i had to help him with something He said i should get a spanner from his box I went to go and get one Absolutely filthy Coverd in oil I revused to help him cause of the condition of his tools lol My dad is like Good he must learn Ye sorry for that lil story lol Oh ye and maybe you should do train simulator videos It's kinda like models lol

[@Terrys-Steam-and-Bricks]

@@laaity you’ll have a good future with that work ethic. Any idea what you would like to have as a career?

[@laaity]

@@Terrys-Steam-and-Bricks im thinking of engineering and machining/metal work Mostly on the machining/metal part When im Finnished with school im gonna go for a year course on machine work in i think Pretoria And I've thought of working on the railway not because i like trains but because i have some nolaige But ye for now im helping my dad with trucks and at a stock feed factory

[@Terrys-Steam-and-Bricks]

@@laaity awesome. 👍