In 1968 the DB commissioned Krupp to develop a family of main line diesel locomotives, the so called V160 family. They should have electrical train heating equipment but without a separate auxiliary diesel for heating purposes such as the V162 (later known as class 217).

The energy for train heating was taken from the 2,500 HP MAN diesel power plant type MA 12 V 956 TB10. Class 218 has the same length as the class 215 and 217 locomotives, namely 16,400mm. Differences to the class 215 are arrangement of the couplers for the various pipes at both ends, so called exhaust scoops on the roof (as from the second production run) and some with bogies without guided wheels.

Furthermore the 218s have a window at the point where the 215s had the heating element next to the door to cab 1.

218 235, which is the prototype for the ESU model is part of the second production series and was stationed in Regensburg until it was repainted in 1993. This locomotive regularly hauled inter-zone trains arriving from the German Democratic Republic (GDR) as well as through trains from Czechoslovakia but has also been seen in Frankfurt/Main and in Stuttgart.

218 102, the second serial unit of this class, is one of nine locomotives of the first production series that was equipped with a power plant and amplitude modulated converter as well as frequency multiplex train controls facilitating operation with the most modern double-decker coaches.

The prototype for this ESU model was deployed for that kind of service while stationed in Lübeck as well as today being based in Frankfurt/Main. By the way, the class 218 locomotives converted as such are permitted to push IC and IR trains with control cab coaches.

In addition 218 102 was also deployed at the so called Rübelandbahn since the decommissioning of electric power on the line. In fact, this loco has been around quite a bit. In 2003 she was stationed at the depot in Halberstadt, then moved on to Stendal, for three years to Lübeck, then to Darmstadt until she was stationed in Frankfurt/Main as from 2010.

The locomotive is equipped with a load controlled smoke generator, comprehensive sensor system for triggering sound effects appropriate to various scenarios such as running over turnouts or through sharp curves, a specially adapted LokSound decoder with two speakers and a PowerPack assuring trouble-free, smooth running even on dirty track or complex yard ladders. Complete lighting including cab lighting, driver´s cab-control panel and appropriate lighting for shunting mode with warm white LEDs rounds of the outstanding technical features. All this results in the same level of ESU quality you have come to expect and appreciate from our digital products.

Chassis and body are made of high quality metal and assure due to their weight of about 500 grams prototypical pulling power. In case you wish to run your model without traction tires we have added suitable spare wheel sets to the 2-rail units.

Set into the chassis is a powerful five pole skew wound precision motor with optimised “silent” commutator – developed by ESU. This provides power tamed by two flywheels via a combination of worm gear / helical gear box to four of the four axles (3-rail version: three axles).

Of course, you will find all prototypical variations between the models of the different production series between the two class 218 models and the models of class 215 and 225. Thus the 218 235 in the original red livery has the prototypical radiators type Kuckuck on the roof where the 218 102 from the first series only has a simple hatch. The perforated brake leverage adjusters of the 218 235 are a feast for your eyes, which have been removed on the 218 102 in 2003. Well, you can see that ESU diesel locomotives are realistic replicas of the prototype down to the smallest detail.

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