Superb Russian Train Set- Unbox, Review and Testing - PIKO HO - Модель поезда SŽD M62

[@ivovanzon164]

For the set: this is the typical Piko starter set style, where you take a vehicle that is as close to the prototype as possible but doesn't necessarily have to be the exact one. The reason for the Roco one to be more expensive is that they did most of the different roof and buffer configurations. The locomotive Piko selected for this set is the export version with some Germany specific modifications, but a few examples operating out of Kaliningrad would have had European couplers. This set is actually an improvement over the previous one as this comes with a proper M62 (the older one had a French locomotive painted in Russian colors)

[@ArcadiaJunctionHobbies]

Cheers for the info. I am even more happy with it now. I never thought about Kaliningrad. So now I might save up and get the Polish set next. Thanks.

[@railway187]

The Kaliningrad version is high on my wish list but usually way above my budget 😊

[@ArcadiaJunctionHobbies]

@@railway187 I am really happy I have a Russian loco now as I can get started on some kitbashing of stock to go with it. I'm looking at some old Lima coaches for possibilities in this regard.

[@railway187]

@@ArcadiaJunctionHobbies Lima is interesting. Very strong, usually cheap and easy to convert.

[@railway187]

An affordable way to get soviet rolling stock is to buy Umbum kits, and use Lima undercarriages for them 🙂

[@railway187]

Wow, fantastic purchase! The wagons are in fact German wagons painted in Soviet livery, modding liveries is something Piko is doing regularly. But they look fantastic! "Morflot" means "Morskoj Flot" (sea float). Such containers really were in use albeit a slightly different model and usually beige or grey-white. The M62 teplovoz (meaning diesel locomotive) is a Lugansk made bestseller in the soviet union, also called "Masha" (shortname for "Maria"). This locomotive was used for freight as well as for passenger trains. Also a double and even triple version existed and there was also a road version on rubber tyres. I never was so lucky as to see it run in real, but the sound seems to be impressive! In the GDR it ran as BR120, Germans nicknamed it Taigatrommel. It also ran in Poland (ST42 Gagarin), Hungary (M62 Sergej). The locomotive was named M62 and was an alternative for the M61 which Hungary bought from a Western manufacturer... Congratulations on such fantastic additions to your collection!

[@ArcadiaJunctionHobbies]

Thanks again. I have seen the 'M62' (Br 120/220) in real life when I was on holiday in Germany in the 90s as the DR ones were being incorporated into DB livery and rosters.

[@railway187]

@@ArcadiaJunctionHobbies Must be a great experience! M62 Masha and TE-109 Ludmilla are fantastic locomotives!

[@BritishRail60062]

That looks like a nice train set. I have not seen a Russian train set from Piko. Generous amount of track included as well. Unlike the UK train sets where track is more limited. I have a few HO models as well from Europe, America and Canada and they are amazing models.

[@ArcadiaJunctionHobbies]

This is by far the most impressive trainset I have ever see in terms of quality and value. I had been lamenting the overall poor quality of trainsets since the 1980s. Well piko has certainly put a stop to that decline.

[@survivingworldsteam]

Congratulations on a great find, and a good first unboxing video. Funny thing is, I did my first unboxing video as well today, and for the same reason. My favorite nitch is OO/HO scale clockwork trains; and I picked up a collection of eight locomotives and keys for a very cheap price. It came in today; I scheduled the premiere for July 4th. I had plans to build a "Trans-Siberian" themed layout at one time using Umbum buildings. This would have been a great piece of rolling stock to run the layout; but as you know, Soviet equipment is both difficult to find and expensive, and so I ended up going in another direction.

[@markolysynchuk5264]

Piko is pronounced as 'peek-o', not 'pie-co'

[@jeroensprangers8468]

Nice loco..🙂👍 It's nickname was Taigatrommel, given by the German's. Because of the loud engine noise. Btw. . this set is a real bargain.

[@railway187]

In the USSR it was called "Masha", or even "Mashka". This is a short name for Maria. Masha is still running in a lot of different countries l, but I think not in Belgium 😥🙂

[@jeroensprangers8468]

@@railway187 The later series 130 Ludmila had a (short) career with NS-Cargo (Railion Nederland) They bought 12 examples from the DB (known as BR 232) I have a Marklin loco in the red Railion-NL livery.

[@ialexshmelev]

У нас в России нет таких вагонов. Piko просто покрасила немецкие вагоны в российкий окрас, а вот М62 действительно такие есть и в настоящее время эксплуатируются. Но все равно интересно услышать ваше мнение, спасибо.

[@ben222b]

Looks like a lovely starter set, great value for money, even without the discount - I see it online for €170. Does the loco have directional lights too?

[@ArcadiaJunctionHobbies]

Yes. But not very bright. Still a bargain.

[@CZ350tuner]

Russian railways use a wider track guage than the internationally recognised standard guage, being closer to the Irish railway track guage. So what guage would the track actually have to be to correctly modelled in HO scale?? Russia's first ever railway was built by Thomas Brassey (my great, great, great uncle), for the British Army, during the Crimean War. All 21 miles was laid down within 7 weeks.

[@ArcadiaJunctionHobbies]

19mm?

[@markolysynchuk5264]

Russia's first rail line was actually built in 1836 from St.Petersburg to Tsarskoye Selo by Cherepanov brothers.