Piko 57400 – BR 218 Diesel locomotive of the vehicle maintenance department Cottbus

Diesel locomotive 218 497-6 “PIKO / Märklin” of the DB AG, epoch VI
New for 2021:
For the first time in the history of the model railroad, a locomotive with the logos of the two model railroad companies Märklin and PIKO appears on the prototype of the large railroad.

The specialty of the locomotive 218 497-6 is a noticeable special paint, which is the result of a creative competition among the employees of DB Fahrzeuginstandhaltung GmbH (FZI). It symbolizes the history of the Cottbus location, which ranges from the repair of steam locomotives to the maintenance of ICEs FZI Cottbus will continue to be home to the locomotive and it will be available to customers as a replacement locomotive.

The two model railway manufacturers Märklin and PIKO act as advertising partners for this project. The company logos of both manufacturers are alternately affixed to the front sides of the locomotive, both on the original and on the model. The PIKO logo adorns the black half, that of Märklin the light gray.

A train driver has found space in driver’s cab 2. The light of the model changes with the direction of travel in white / white.