The ‘Baureihe 216’ is a household name for model railroad enthusiasts. The number of variants almost uncountable. Still, in N scale, the classic “old red” version of the first BR216 diesel locomotives was missing until recently. PIKO released this one recently. In addition to a review also some scale N friendly – short – trains that ran with this locomotive on Dutch track.
The great example
After a few test models, it came to serial production of the BR216. Starting in the 1960s, over 200 were produced. With their powerful engines, they were popular in both the freight and passenger levels. Only in the 1990s did the BR18 take over the stage and by the end of 2004 they had disappeared from the scene. At least at the Deutsche Bundesbahn. There are still plenty of companies using a BR216 today.
REVIEW OF THE MODEL
The model version from PIKO is very successful. The manufacturer meets the requirements that may be placed on a model version of a locomotive today. The coloring and details are correctly represented.
The decoder responds with a slight delay to the commands
A nice detail is the free view through the center of the motor housing. In scale N barely perceptible. The fact that it is there perhaps says something about the care with which this model was created. Better visible are the details of the engine that can be seen behind some of the windows.
The locomotive is factory equipped with a sound decoder. Not the very latest. It is a D&H decoder that has been further modified by PIKO. In the latest new N scale locomotives, a completely in-house designed decoder is used. The decoder responds to the commands with a slight delay.
The number of sound and light functions is sufficient. Unfortunately, in combination with a Z21 central unit, not all functions can be used without delay. For example, the lights in the engine compartment cannot be switched. This requires adjustment of a number of CV values. This is something for specialists and not without risk. For example, look on this forum or have a specialist perform this.
The sound is convincing. The sound of the squeaky rails comes naturally to you as you drive. At somewhat higher, and certainly not excessive, speeds the motor starts to get a little noisy and then drowns out the decoder sound.
The locomotive will not move until the entire startup procedure has been completed. Sometimes a bit annoying if you want to move the locomotive quickly. Many Minitrix and Fleischmann models therefore have a function to drive directly.
THE BR216 ON DUTCH RAILROAD
Of course, this beautiful locomotive can be fitted with the widely known German ‘silberlinge’. What is less known is that similar locomotives also did service on the Dutch railroad. In the years 1970-1985, there was a shortage of locomotives in the Northern region. To supplement this, the Dutch Railways decided to rent some locomotives from their Eastern neighbors. Including the BR216 in ‘old red’.
This leads to the possibility of modeling Dutch scale N friendly trains. And this can also be done with three Sliberlinge wagons (PIKO no. 40640 and 40641 Trix no. 18213), these also drove across the border in the Netherlands.
Within the Netherlands, the very popular locomotives can be fitted with Plan E coaches. Still available on various auction sites, minitrix numbers 3020 and 3021. Garbage containers from the VAM were also regularly hung behind these locomotives. Fleischmann made these under number 845202. Roco also produced a model under catalog number 24037. These VAM wagons are of more recent date than the ones actually deployed.
The length of the trains varied considerably. With that, even short, scale N friendly, compositions give a realistic picture.
Piko’s BR216 is a nicely detailed locomotive. At a competitive price for the digital version, which is also broadly applicable in model. It is not for nothing that this model is already hard to come by in many places.
- Dieselocomotive
- Supplier: PIKO
- Item number: 40521
- Target price: € 239.00 (digital)
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