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Dear G-Scale Train Enthusiast:
Thank you for adding the PIKO model
of the BR 218 diesel locomotive to
your collection. This is the second loco
which PIKO has developed for the G-
Scale market. It has undergone
intensive testing throughout the
development phase, as well as
numerous inspections in the
production process, to ensure you
smooth operation and many years of
trouble-free enjoyment.
Of course, we welcome reports of your
experience with the BR 218 model
under "real world" conditions, which
even the most thorough
developmental testing cannot
completely duplicate.
You can send us your comments by
several methods:
Via email to: hotline@piko.de
Via fax to: +49 3675 897250
Or via postal mail to:
PIKO Spielwaren GmbH, PF
96505 Sonneberg/Thüringen
Germany
Naturally, we like to hear about
positive experiences, but all comments
help us improve this and future
models.
Thank you for your support,
Your PIKO Team
4
The Prototype BR 218
The BR (Number Series) 218
locomotive is a 4-axle diesel used on
the DB (German Railways). For many
years, it was the primary and most
important mainline diesel loco in
western Germany. Even today, it is still
in regular use on non-electrified routes
in every kind of service, from express
trains to local freight. The locomotives
of the 218 Series are the final
development of the V160 family of
locomotives. The BR 218 brought
together many developments of the
V160 through V169 series locos. The
BR 217 loco provided the electric
power system for train heating, and
the BR 215 series prototype loco
provided the 2500 hp diesel engine,
which eliminated the need of a
separate smaller diesel engine to drive
the generator for the heating system.
In 1968, the Krupp works delivered 12
preproduction locomotives and these
were put straight into service with the
new computer-compatible numbering
series of "218". Production of 398
more locos followed, with the orders
split between builders Henschel and
Krauss-Maffei. With some refinements,
deliveries continued from 1971 to 1979.
The 2500 to 2800 hp B-B truck locos
have a top speed of 140 km/h, as well
as dynamic brakes, and were therefore
pressed into passenger as well as
freight service. The 218s proved
themselves well in operation and until
the year 2000 remained the most
important mainline diesel locos on the
DB. During this time, the procurement
of a fleet of new diesel railcars
progressed, with more and more
locomotive-hauled passenger trains
being replaced by diesel railcars. By
2004, the ranks of the BR 218s had
been reduced by more than half.
The BR 218s have gone through
numerous color scheme changes. The
first 218s were delivered in the
"purple-red" (RAL 3004) scheme
which was still the norm at the time.
The locos delivered beginning in 1974
wore the DB's new ocean blue/beige
color scheme. One loco, the 218 217,
wore an experimental red/beige scheme
for TEE (Trans-Europe Express) service. In
1984, 10 locos were painted orange
with gray bands for the CityBahn
project on the Köln-Gummersbach
route. After the experimental period
ended, these retained their special
colors into the 1990s. Starting in 1987,
as they came due for major servicing,
the 218s were repainted in Orient red
with white end stripes. Virtually all of
the remaining locos in the BR 218 series
are now in the current bright red
scheme of the DB AG.
The Model
The PIKO model of the BR 218 is a
highly-detailed G-Scale model,
constructed of weather-resistant
materials for years of trouble-free
outdoor use. The model incorporates
the following features:
Technical Features
- A powerful high-precision motor in
each truck, with protection against
moisture intrusion.
- Reliable electrical pickup through 6
wheels.
- Further electrical reliability assured by 4
sliding pickup shoes, 2 in each gearbox.
- Die-cast and precision-machined
metal wheels.
- 2 large weights for superb pulling
power and low center of gravity.
- Directional LED lighting.
- Ready for easy installation of a PIKO
digital decoder and sound unit.
- Speaker mounting enclosure built-in.
- Double buffers, changeable to single
center buffers.
- LGB-compatible hook-and-loop
couplers.
- Weather-resistant construction
throughout for years of garden
railway service.
- Length: 615 mm (2.02 ft.)
- Weight: ca 4300 g (9.5 lb.)
Details
- Die cast wheels with authentic bolt
detail.
- Black colored wheels.
- Weather-resistant plastic body with
numerous authentic details such as
handrails, grills, and doors.
- Separately applied brakeman's
handrails on both ends.
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