Piko 57401 - BR 218-497-6 PIKO/Märklin Diesel, Sound

Novelty 2021: For the first time in the history of model railroading, a locomotive with the logos of the two model railroad companies Märklin and PIKO will appear in the prototype of the great railroad.

A special feature of the 218 497-6 locomotive is an eye-catching special paint scheme that is the result of a creative competition among the employees of DB Fahrzeuginstandhaltung GmbH (FZI).

It symbolizes the history of the Cottbus site, which ranges from steam locomotive maintenance to the maintenance of ICEs.

The locomotive will continue to be based at FZI Cottbus and will be available to customers as a replacement locomotive.

The two model train manufacturers Märklin and PIKO are acting as joint 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.

For the first time, the PIKO H0 model of the Hobby series is also available as a sound version. For this, the new PIKO SmartDecoder with load control is used. The sound project has been completely resampled with recordings on the original engine. PIKO´s 218 497-6 is thus the proud bearer of the new PIKO TrainSound® seal of quality.

A locomotive engineer has found a place in cab 2. The model´s light changes alternately in "white/white" with the direction of travel.