Arnold HIN2673 RENFE 352-007 Virgen de la Almudena Diesel Loco IV N Gauge

RENFE 352-007 Virgen de la Almudena Diesel Loco IV 1:160 scale model produced by Arnold. This model is ready-to-run straight out of the box and would make a excellent addition to any model railway collection. Features: Analogue DC Model Best suited to Epoch IV Model Railways This model mainly operates in France Decorated in RENFE company markings Best suited to 192mm radius curves Flywheel Fitted Close Coupler Details The RENFE Class 352 was a distinctive class of diesel-hydraulic locomotives built for Spain’s national railway, RENFE, to haul the new Talgo III passenger trains. Designed by Krauss-Maffei and built in 1964–1965, only 10 locomotives were produced, originally numbered 2000-T before being renumbered 352-001 to 352-010. Featuring a B'B' wheel arrangement and powered by two Maybach diesel engines delivering a combined 2,400 hp, the Class 352s were capable of speeds up to 140 km/h, later increased to 160 km/h in the 1980s. They were built specifically to match the low-profile Talgo sets with hydraulic transmission and automatic Scharfenberg couplers for smooth express-train operation. Initially based at Aravaca and used on fast Talgo services between Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Hendaye, Bilbao and beyond, the locomotives helped modernise Spanish express passenger services. As electrification expanded in the 1970s–80s, the Class 352s were reassigned to non-electrified routes such as Badajoz–Lisbon and Granada–Almería before gradual withdrawal through the 1990s. The last unit was retired in 2002 after nearly 38 years of service. Several members of the class survive: 352-009 is preserved in the National Railway Museum of Spain; cab fronts and control equipment from other locomotives are on display in railway museums in Catalonia and Arganda.