| Class 218 Diesel Locomotive
German Federal Railroad (DB) class 218 diesel locomotive. Light gray basic paint scheme. Road number 218 341-6. The locomotive looks as it did starting in 2024.
The 399 regular production locomotives of the class 218 characterized for decades the image of the non-electrified routes in the DBs network. Several of these overall popular units are still currently in IC service through the Allgäu Region to Stuttgart or they are indispensable high in the North of Germany. They can also be seen pulling red bi-level cars in regular schedules. They have acquired a cult status in the meantime! In the course of their long working life, the class 218 units have been adapted to the various DB paint schemes. Initially, they were crimson and presently they are traffic red. However, not all, several were wrapped in an unusual color scheme such as road number 218 341, which was given an elegant IC look at the plant in Cottbus. The light gray locomotive body features chic red striping, which goes excellently with this unit. It thereby takes on a special position because one-of-a-kind units always attract increased attention, in the prototype and of course on a layout.
The locomotive has an mfx+ digital decoder and extensive sound functions. It also has controlled high-efficiency propulsion with a flywheel, centrally mounted. All 4 axles powered. Traction tires. The triple headlights and dual red marker lights change over with the direction of travel, will work in conventional operation, and can be controlled digitally. The headlights at Locomotive End 2 and 1 can be turned off separately in digital operation. The locomotive has a Double A Light function. The cab lighting changes over with the direction of travel and it, and the engine room lighting can be controlled digitally. Maintenance-free warm white and red LEDs are used for the lighting. There are metal grab irons on the sides and ends. The buffer beams are detailed and have snowplows typical for this class. The buffer height conforms to the NEM. There are close couplers with a guide mechanism. There is a figure of a locomotive engineer seated in Cab 1. Brake lines, prototype couplers, and closed snowplows are included as parts that can be mounted separately on the locomotive. |
