|
|
The prototype dates from the 1950s and was produced for almost all Comecon countries, whilst the Piko (and Sachsenmodelle) Dosto has been around for the past thirty-odd years including both 2-car and 4-car forms.
With flush glazing and correct dimensions, this is a good model and deserves to be on every DR layout but it can still be improved. Kuswa offer a push-pull driving cab conversion, see below.
However, there are a few improvements that need to be done to all the models, the most important is to lower the ride height. I initially used Markits 10mm Lowmac disc wheels on 24,5mm axles as a top quality replacement. I also removed all the bogies and filed the bogie pivots on the plastic floors so that they were just proud of the strengthening ribs either side of the pivots-the resulting reduction in height was 2,75mm. However it would have been easier to merely fit Markits 9mm wheels on 24,5mm axles (see below). The outboard bogies had their Piko couplers removed and the bogies were reversed so that I could mount Kadees underneath the ends.
The large buffers are A1 Models from Howes of Oxford standard large Oleo type as Dostos had oversize buffers.
This is much better, the ride height is correct 12,2mm from rail top to buffer centre. No more wobbling because the bogie pivots have been reduced and flattened, now the Gliederzueg actually glides. The wagon is a Fleischmann Gm53, nice but that awful door runner!
This is another Dosto set but fitted with sprung buffers and Markit 9mm RP25 wheels on 25,5mm axles, the only work other required is to repaint the interior floors and upstands grey and the seats were dark red.