The class 218 represents the culmination of the development of the DB V160 diesel locomotive family, which also includes the class V160 (later 216), 215, 217 and 210 locomotives, as well as the one-time 219 001. The first locomotives of the V160 series were put into service in 1964. Since it was already clear that the V160, with its power of 1,900 hp, a top speed of 120 km/h, and the steam boiler installed to heat passenger trains, was often pushed to the limit of its performance, the DB tested concepts for increasing performance at various locomotive plants.
The more powerful locomotives shared the 40 cm longer overall length, making room for a generator. Because in 1967 there was little experience with electric train heating for the V162 and V169 and a new, more powerful engine needed to be tested, Krupp developed the series 215, which still featured steam heating and had a new MA 12 V 956 TB10 on board. twelve-cylinder engine from MAN. At the same time the series 218 was developed, of which the first and part of the second series initially had the same engine as the 215, but were already factory-equipped with a generator for electric heating of passenger trains. 44 locomotives of the second series received the MTU MA 12 V 956 TB11 diesel engine with an output of 2800 hp. The 140 km/h 218, class 398, produced from 1971, was used on all non-electrified routes of the former DB for passenger and freight trains. The youngest 218s still in service today are over 40 years old and still very reliable. Painted in purple-red-beige, the 218 217 is an exotic model among the DB’s diesel locomotives. Originally, several locomotives had to be painted in TEE scheme to carry TEE trains on non-electrified main lines. routes in one color. However, since the DB had decided upon delivery of the locomotive that it would adopt the ocean blue-ivory color scheme for all train types, it was decided to leave it as a one-off. This locomotive was just as popular with photographers as the ten 218s, which were painted pure orange-pebble gray from 1984 and carried CityBahn trains between Cologne and Meinerzhagen. To commemorate this time, the 218 137 was repainted in CityBahn colors in 2012.
Metal structure and frame
Opened fan grills in the roof, etched play grilles
Buffers with real steel springs
separately attached handles and steps
Buffers with spring action
Coupling into a sliding NEM shaft
Five-pole ESU motor with two flywheels
Drive via cardan/worm gear on three axles, two non-slip tires
LokSound 5 decoder for DCC, Motorola®, M4 and Setrix operation
Independent logon to control centers with RailComPlus® or mfx functionality
PowerPackstorage capacitor for uninterrupted power supply
Speakers with a large sound capsule for maximum sound enjoyment
Universal electronics with plug-in grinder and slide switch for switching between two-wire and mid-wire operation
Smoke generator synchronized with the locomotive sound
Digitalized original sounds from a 218
Sensor-controlled cornering sounds when driving slowly
Light changes depending on direction of travel, headlights on train side are switchable, shunting, cab and desk lights
Removes when braking vigorously
Pipette for filling the smoke generator and a second coupler are included
Minimum passable radius = 360 mm
Length over buffers = 188,5 mm
