DB V200.1 Diesel Locomotive III

DB V200.1 Diesel Locomotive III

1:160 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:

• Analogue DC Model
• Best suited to Epoch III Model Railways
• This model mainly operates in Germany
• This model is decorated in DB company markings
• This model is best suited to 192mm radius curves

Details

The DB Class V 200 was a landmark diesel-hydraulic locomotive developed in the 1950s for the Deutsche Bundesbahn as part of the move away from steam traction on mainline services. A series of five prototype locomotives was built by Krauss-Maffei in 1953–1954 and tested extensively, including a notable demonstration journey under their own power through Yugoslavia, Greece and Turkey to showcase their capability to international audiences.

Full production began in 1956, with 61 locomotives built by Krauss-Maffei and 20 by MaK, creating a distinctive and powerful fleet. The V 200 was originally deployed on express passenger services throughout West Germany, replacing ageing steam classes and helping to modernise post-war rail travel. As main lines were progressively electrified, the V 200 was increasingly used on commuter and freight services, while still hauling premier expresses on routes such as Hamburg–Westerland, Hamburg–Lübeck–Copenhagen and Munich–Lindau.

In 1962, the V 200.0 was followed by the more powerful V 200.1 (later designated Class 221). From 1977, remaining V 200.0 locomotives were concentrated in northern German depots, but their two-engine layout and steam heating systems became outdated compared to newer single-engine diesels and modern electric train heating. The last V 200 was withdrawn from DB service in 1984.