IAN GARNHAM casts his eye over the new releases from Fleischmann this year.
It's that time of year again when we look what new items are in store for us. As always, it is best to get the new items ordered as soon as you can, as most are produced on a limited production run.
Lets look at some of the highlights from Fleischmann, who are concentrating mainly on N Scale with Roco tackling the HO side of things. The highlights for this year can be viewed at your leisure in the New Items 2021 brochure available from us FM992121.
We start off with Fleischmann 2021 ‘Train of the Year’, which will be available towards the end of 2021. This is a 6-piece Prussian Goods Train Pack which consists of a 2-8-0 tender loco in Prussian Green (with the option of DCC-Fitted version), with 5 wagons including a tank wagon, acid pot wagon, 6-wheeled covered wagon with brakeman’s cab, cattle wagon and a brake van with sliding doors. FM781210/FM781290.
The class BR01 Locomotive has been updated, now fitted with a Next18 interface and LED lights which are digitally switchable, and sound function on the DCC fitted variant. FM716905/FM716975.
For up to the minute rolling stock, the EMU ICE class 411 will be available together with two add-on coach packs (FM476102/FM746402) to complete a prototypical formation which will automatically tilt on curves. FM746002/FM746072.
Alpine modellers are not left out, with a rack and pinion steeple cab locomotive in blue and ivory. There is also a matching passenger coach and baggage car to complete the set. This is suitable for use on the existing Fleischmann rack track as well as standard rail. Available in both analogue and DCC fitted. This is suitable for anybody that models the period between 1945 to the sixties, and is presented in a generic 'Alpspitz'. FM737110/FM737190.
Now moving to more modern electric traction, the Swiss type Re465 013-1 of the BLS in the forthcoming refurbished livery of lime green, the colour scheme in ‘Refit’ design - nice. It will be available in both analogue and DCC sound. FM731321/FM731391.
The class 193 525-3 locomotive will be available in a special one-off intricate livery that celebrates the opening of the SBB Cargo international office in the Netherlands, which is know there as ‘Holland Piercer’.FM739283/FM739353.
A new tooling is the SNCF BB7200, based on the DC version of their overhead electric locomotive and the similar multi system BB22200. Both locomotives saw freight and passenger duties. FM732135/FM732205. FM732136/FM732206.
One of the more unusual classes covered is the class V188 D 311.01 and 288 002-9 from the 1940s, due out towards the end of the year. These are essentially double diesel electric locomotives and at one time were used with the ‘Schwerer Gustav 2’ gun, also suppling the electric power to it. The model will be available in both DC and DCC. FM725101/FM725171. FM725100/FM725170.
There are four complete train sets mentioned for the coming year; a premium z21 set with a Class 044 steam locomotive, six hopper wagons, and an oval of track with passing loop. FM931898.
There are also three smaller start sets - one with a Class 151 electric locomotive, three hopper wagons, an oval of track with a siding, the same track formation but with a Class 212 diesel loco breakdown crane and support wagon, and finally a Class 245 double deck passenger set. FM931896/FM931899/FM931897.
If you have the space and like to run block trains then the 2-piece set of dust silo wagons would be ideal. These highly detailed wagons are available in DR and GATX liveries.
These and many more items are listed in the new New Items 2021 brochure (download here) available now, so take a look and decide which new items you would like to see running on your layout.