Marklin 39228 DB BR218 140-2 Diesel Locomotive IV (~AC-Sound) HO Gauge

DB BR218 140-2 Diesel Locomotive IV (~AC-Sound) 1:87 scale model produced by Marklin. This model is ready-to-run straight out of the box and would make a excellent addition to any model railway collection. Features: AC Sound Model Best suited to Epoch IV Model Railways This model mainly operates in Germany This model is decorated in DB company markings Digitally controllable engine room lighting. Metal locomotive frame and body. The cab lighting can be controlled digitally. Close couplers with guide mechanisms. An mfx+ digital decoder with extensive light and sound functions is fitted. The buffer height conforms to NEM specifications. A buffer capacitor to bridge short unpowered sections of track is fitted. Details The DB Class 218 is one of the most successful and versatile diesel-hydraulic locomotives ever operated by Deutsche Bundesbahn and later Deutsche Bahn AG. Introduced in the 1970s as a modern successor to earlier members of the V 160 locomotive family, the Class 218 was designed for reliable performance on non-electrified main lines and secondary routes, handling mixed-traffic duties ranging from passenger expresses to heavy freight. Constructed between 1971 and 1979, a total of 410 locomotives were built by a consortium of German manufacturers including Krupp, Henschel, MaK, and KHD. The locomotive features a B'B' wheel arrangement, a powerful diesel engine paired with hydraulic transmission, and train heating systems suitable for passenger service. Its design emphasised flexibility, with enough power and speed to manage both scheduled regional expresses and slower freight workings without compromise. The Class 218 quickly became ubiquitous on unelectrified sections of the German network, replacing steam traction and older diesels while offering smooth acceleration and dependable operation. Many locomotives were fitted for push-pull service with driving trailers, enhancing their usefulness on commuter and regional routes. Into the 1990s and 2000s, the Class 218 remained a mainstay of mixed-traffic operations even as electrification progressed.