
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
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 all 8
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 nickel-plated wheels.
- Weather-resistant plastic body with
numerous authentic details such as
handrails, grilles, and doors.
- Separately applied brakeman’s handrails
on both ends.
- Accurately modeled cab windows.
- Correct black frames on windshields.
- Correct silver frames on cab side
windows.
- “Smoked-glass“ windows on engine
compartment.
- Separately applied windshield wipers.
- Detailed cab interior and control stand
with engineer figure.
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