I know MTH and Bachmann with a hint of Tyco have been my bread and butter when it comes to train catalogs, but I wanna shake things up a bit and look at a catalog by Piko.
Piko is a model train company that releases G, HO, N, and even TT scale trains, and while the company is from Europe, they do have an American branch and do some American trains.
Since we're in garden railroad season, I'd figure we'd look at their G scale catalog and see what their offering, and if it's worth the time of anyone who wants to get into modeling in the great outdoors, or is doing so already.
Not to make Piko's train sets out to be the next best thing since sliced bread, but I do appreciate the company for offering G scale train sets that have everything one who'd want to get into the world of G scale (outside or in).
Alongside the usual track and train, the sets come with a little remote that almost looks like a car key, that can be used to control the trains. The power pack is also weather resistant which is something you'll need if you want to take the trains outside.
As for the sets themselves, again, nothing too fancy, but the Rio Grande and Christmas train set do butter my toast.
One other thing I appreciate about the Piko catalog is the explanation of the track and curve radius. Yes model railroaders, I know that bigger curves is going to be a thing in all scales, but it varies from scale to scale.
In HO, you can go above 22 radius, but most if not all of the big trains will take that curve at the bare minimum.
In O scale, trains can take up to a 72 radius curve.
In G, R7 seems to be the largest curve, though I'm sure there are bigger curves then that.
Point I'm trying to make is that I do appreciate the little guide as it's helpful for those who want to graduate from starter sets to move onto trains that will need bigger radius curves, and there are plenty of those in this catalog.
Maybe it's because I'm looking in the wrong places, but I do appreciate a good G scale Camelback steam engine, and from CNJ.
The Union Pacific and Santa Fe Mogul steam engines look great, with a nice painted design on their tanks.
And yes Halloween steam engine I'm glad to see you. Finally, some more Halloween train products that don't come from Lionel.
As I've stated before in blogs, I'm more of an American train guy then European. That said, I do like the selection of European trains Piko does have, including the BR 50 steam loco.
The train might not come with sound, but it does come with a decent amount of detail and looks like it would run nice on an indoor or outdoor G scale layout.
The Santa Fe NoHab looks more blessed then cursed in my opinion.
One European train that does have a place in my heart is the Crocodile diesel. The train looks like a hybrid between a diesel and a steam engine, and luckily for other fans of the interesting looking diesel, Piko has some models of it to sell.
Some of the American passenger cars that Piko sells honestly look really nice and tempting to buy (if I had my own garden railroad.)
For one thing, I really like the Wood Drover's caboose, which almost looks like a mobile home on wheels.
For anther, some of the passenger cars are just really nice to look at, such as the yellow and brown Union Pacific passenger cars.
And yes Christmas passenger cars I am going to give you your flowers.
The model kits and buildings is what interest me the most. While I'm aware that G scale has accessories like buildings, people, and cars, I've never really taken a close look at what exactly is being offered before as I'm mostly an HO scale guy.
Piko seems to deliver when it comes to stuff to have on the layout, inside or out.
The brewery is one of my favorite buildings of Piko. I don't know if the smoke stacks can actually blow smoke out of them, but given that this is a G scale building, I'm sure it's easy to install a custom smoking fan unit, or just use a fog machine to make that effect.
Other favorites from this catalog are the Rosenbach watermill
bait & tackle shop
the barns
and Brad's fishing cabin.
Also I just have to mention White Knight Hamburgers. Clever nod to white castle there Piko.
Final thoughts:
Don't be surprised if I start to cover Piko's G scale stuff from here on out. Soft spot for G scale aside, I really do like what Piko's doing. It's one thing to offer starter sets and tutorials for those who want to get into G scale.
It's even more commendable to offer a decent selection of trains, track, and everything else needed for those who want to get serious or have the space to make a garden railroad that takes up a decent amount of the backyard (or those who have the space for a G scale layout inside.)
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