Brawa or Piko - how do these rate?

[Hobby Dreamer]

I've just been diagnosed with EHD, (Emergency Hobby Disease), and apparently the treatment is a steady supply of N scale; but it has to be of good quality...

 

My Doctor recommends Brawa but a local specialist is keen on Piko.

 

Any thoughts?

 

Actually, I was quite inspired by a photo at JAM

http://www.1999.co.jp/blog/img/20120823jam18.jpg

 

I though about making a 2-tier station: one level for trams and another for trains and have been thinking about Bombardier Talents. I would have been all over these but my city bought these as a transportation solution and I don't really want to model my city.

 

I like the 3-car Brawa but Piko makes both a 5-car and 2-car unit. Don't know if the quality is compatible or if they look close enough to use on the same layout. I know the Piko ones represent electric versions while the Brawa is diesel.

 

If you have any experience with these companies or know where to get them at a good price, it would greatly aid my EHD suffering!

 

OR......

 

can you recommend another smallish train. I would likely want to have these run either on viaducts around a layout or maybe at just below ground level with them popping up from time to time. Basically I will have a layout focused on trams but having 2 Talents whip around might be fun! (Or Talent equivalents)

 

Please post your thoughts here or send donations to EHD Canada...

 

Rick ;)

[disturbman]

Or you can always use a FLIRT instead: http://onlineshop.modellbahnunion.com/e-vendo.php?shop=union&SessionId=&a=article&ProdNr=MU11001&t=3&c=9&p=9 or http://onlineshop.modellbahnunion.com/e-vendo.php?shop=union&SessionId=&a=article&ProdNr=MU11000&t=3&c=9&p=9

[Hobby Dreamer]

Hi Disturbman..

 

Yes, I have the Flirt special edition with white, black and orange. Its just a bit large. I like the Flirts and Talents but the Talents make more sense in terms of size. I don't have too much space (I plan to use 2 old doors but have not decided on an L-shape, side by side, end to end or maybe something else like a T).

 

Right now I am thinking of starting with one door, using some foam to add some height to the layout. I may have 3 steps to the layout so at times the train will be at ground level, it will be above ground using viaducts and bridges or it may be below ground.

 

I don't know what happened today - just got some ideas going and a desire to build and buy... I had a stressful summer/fall so far so maybe that's why....

 

Thanks

Rick

[Martijn Meerts]

Piko used to be one of those brands you could buy at the supermarket, but I do believe they've improved quite a bit. I did have an H0 loco by them once, but that was from the supermarket era, and it was REALLY crappy.. Never had any Piko N-scale. (I believe Piko even does very affordable G-scale these days, so they must be doing something right ..)

 

Brawa quality, for their H0 models at least, is equal if not better than most higher end Marklin stuff. Some of the Brawa steamers especially have incredible detail (including non-symetrical axles which you'll never see unless the loco derails and falls over, but hey ;)) I expect their N-scale to be of high quality as well.

[Hobby Dreamer]

Thanks Martijn....

 

I sensing good things about Brawa but also that new Piko is not old Piko however does that translate to N scale? Its hard to get reviews in English about N scale Euro stuff but I'm probably looking at the wrong sites. Maybe hit a Deutch site and use a translator!

 

I did find a review about the Brawa Talents and it was all good. I've never bought off eBay but one guy WAS selling these for $149 US instead of the usual over $200. I hope he gets more!

 

Martijn, I'm going to take a page out of your textbook and splurge! Maybe get 2 Talents (or equivalent) and some lighting for a station, which I will either buy or scratch-build. And I'm going to experiment with lighting! A well lit station will make for a cool layout!

 

Thanks

Rick

[Martijn Meerts]

I don't think many people buy Piko n-scale unless they're the only brand making a very specific model. Personally, I'd be hesitant buying any of their (n-scale) stuff myself.

 

Brawa I'd buy without 2nd thought, just make sure when you're looking at pictures, you're actually getting the pictures of the n-scale models. Brawa does tend to use pictures of the H0 version for their n-scale catalogue pictures :)

[Densha]

Arnold also has some small diesel cars, but I don't know about their quality:

http://www.hornbyinternational.com/en/7-arnold

[Hobby Dreamer]

Thanks Martijn and Densha !

 

Better to stick with Brawa then... Any stores in Europe that you would recommend. Its selling here at $220 at a store that list items they don't have. Its $255 in the US and shipped from Euro from one store its about in the middle.

 

eBay had it for $149 and that would have been perfect!!

 

I have heard favourable reviews of some of Arnold stuff since Hornby took over but they appear to be using a lot of the original Arnold molds etc. Also reviews are price-dependent so its hard to know...

 

I've been looking at Hack bridges as well as i want a bridge that is large and unique!!

 

Thanks again

Rick