Expert DB BR215 Diesel Locomotive IV (DCC-Sound)

Expert DB BR215 Diesel Locomotive IV (DCC-Sound)

1:87 scale model produced by Piko. This model is ready-to-run straight out of the box and would make a excellent addition to any model railway collection.

Features:

• DCC Sound Model
• Best suited to Epoch IV Model Railways
• This model mainly operates in Germany
• This model is decorated in DB company markings
• This model is best suited to 358mm radius curves

Details

The DB Class 215 is a classic four-axle diesel-hydraulic locomotive from the influential V 160 family, built for the German Federal Railways (Deutsche Bundesbahn) to handle medium-weight passenger and freight trains on both secondary and main lines. Introduced in 1968, a total of 150 locomotives were constructed by manufacturers including Henschel, Krupp, Krauss-Maffei and MaK.

Designed as a longer version of the original V 160, the Class 215 was equipped with steam heating for passenger service and a robust diesel-hydraulic powertrain driving all wheels. Early prototypes had slightly lower top speeds, while later units could reach 140 km/h, making them suitable for mixed-traffic work. Engines varied across the class, with combinations of reliable V-12 and V-16 diesel engines providing between roughly 1,320 kW and 1,840 kW of power, allowing the locomotives to tackle both timetabled expresses and freight duties.

Class 215 locomotives were widely used across German regional and long-distance services, from the Eifel region to Baden-Württemberg, and were even seen on cross-border trains. As modern diesel and multiple units were introduced, the last scheduled passenger workings ended in 2003, after which many were transferred to freight duties or rebuilt into Class 225 and 215.9 variants for specialised roles.