In 1973 the Deutsche Reichsbahn (DR) took delivery of the first class 132 equipped with train heating device and dynamic brake from the Soviet locomotive works in Woroschilowgrad. The installation of the train heating generator required the extension of the chassis to 20.820 mm, in comparison to the class 130 and class 131 types, which where only designated for freight service. Since the components except for the train heating generator have proven their reliability in several 100 units, this new locomotive also proved an immediate success. The class 132 diesel-electric locomotive is equipped with the 16-cylinder four-stroke diesel engine 16 Tsch N 26/26 (type 5 D 49) running at medium revs and driving the generator, which in turn powers 6 cannon box motors. In the beginning the class 132 locomotives generating 3000 HP were the most powerful diesel powered units in the roster of the DR. Since the speed was generally limited to 120 km/h in the German Federal Republic, the class 132 - better known as the “Giant Russian” or the “Russian” amongst the railroaders – could be employed for all train services.  Until the end of the 1990-ies and on many lines even into the early years of the new millennium, the low rev babble and the distinct whistle under full load dominated the sounds in yards as well as on the main lines. In order to somewhat soften the distinctive noise, the DB equipped many locomotives with fan grills in the sloped roof sides as well as elevated shafts for the triple fans. The DB had actually great plans for the Russian six-axle locomotives shortly after the reunification. Since the oldest units of the West German V 160 family approached their forties service year and many of them suffered from the strain in regular heavy freight service for the steel industry in the Ruhr area and became more and more damage-prone, the DB stationed the first class 132 locomotives in Oberhausen already in 1992. After some initial scepticism due to the hitherto uncommon diesel-electric technology, the train drivers in the West soon made friends with these locomotives. The fact that many train drivers, previously employed by the DR in East Germany simply “followed” their locomotives to the West. Since 1994 this engine type is known as class 232 while the locomotives that have undergone an upgrading to 140 km/h maximum speed have been classified as class 234 by the DB AG.

• Metal housing, chassis and gear boxes

• Open work fan grills in the roof area

• Multi-colour driver’s cab with driver

• Multi-part bogie frames with separately applied springs

• Separately applied grab irons and shunter’s steps, metal exterior mirrors (DR version)

• Couplers with kinematics in NEM shaft

• Five-pole ESU motor with two flywheels

• Drive via Cardan shaft/worm gear to four axles, four traction tires

• LokSound V4.0 M4 decoder for DCC, Motorola®, M4 and Selectrix mode

• Automatic registration to command stations supporting RailComPlus® or mfx® functionality

• PowerPack storage capacitor for uninterrupted power supply

• Two quality speakers with large sound capsules for best possible sound

• Load dependent smoke generator, synchronised with LokSound

• Digitalised original sound sequences of a locomotive with a 16-cylinder engine, type 5 D 49

• Curve sensor for squealing wheels when moving slowly through curves

• Directional lighting,  headlights can be turned off when train is coupled to loco, high beam headlight function of top headlight, separately switched cab lighting and illuminated driver’s console

•  Separately switched engine compartment interior lights

• Brake sparks during sharp braking

• Pipette for refilling smoke generator , prototypical etched part for covering the exhaust pipe, accessory parts for headstock included

• Minimum radius = 360 mm

• Length over buffers = 239.3 mm

FAQ