Description

The V 200 diesel engine was the first one to see a huge series production with the Bundesbahn. It was developed for fast and express train services, providing similar performance as the older class 01 steam engines, but not surpassing it. The subtype V 200.1 (later class 221) provided more power.

For decades the engines were used all over Germany. The progress of electrification from southern Germany towards the north saw the engines move northwards as well, with the missing technology for electric heating of passenger coaches marking the end for passenger services in the 1970s. It was still used for freight services, the last units were retired in 1984.

In the set, this one is a mixture of V 200 (introduction year) and V 200.1 (power). It is a prime candidate for fast and express trains and may replace the class 01 steamers. By about 1974, coinciding with the change in liveries to ivory/blue (which looks terrible on these machines), one should demote them into freight services, if there actually still is any need for diesel engines there. Typically you either have electric engines in place already, or you can switch to the newer class 232.

Images and Screenshots

Photo

(© Sebastian Terfloth / CC-BY-SA-3.0 via Wikimedia Commons)

A class V 200 on museal display

Screenshot

An express train of the 1950s with a brand new V 200 at the front. The coach in dark red is a dining car in the livery of Mitropa. This coach is added automatically if the train is long enough.

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A V 200 with a fast express train of the late 1950s. The blue livery can be obtained by refitting the normal main line coaches.

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In the early 1970s, the train liveries change to TEE colors. These trains have a dining car at the fourth position, which is added automatically if the train is long enough.

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Towards the end of their career, the V 200 was also given the blue-cream livery of the 1970s, which did not fit to their form at all. Here it hauls a fast passenger train, which by the time of the late 1970s was already a rarity as they were slowly but surely replaced by newer types.

Screenshot

If there are still V 200 around when the new intercity liveries are introduced in 1987, one can use them here. The real V 200 was put out of service around the same time, so using them still would be unrealistic, especially as one can use the younger BR 218 instead.

Screenshot

The same rules as stated for the Intercity liveries is also true for the Interregio colors - the engine was retired around the same time the Interregio was first introduced. One could use the engines, but it would be unrealistic. If you really need a diesel engine, the BR 218 would be the better choice.

Technical Data

NameV 200 / BR 220
Built1954-1982
Power2700 hp
Tractive effort235 kN
Speed88 mph
Usagefast trains, passenger trains, freight trains
Type of terrainflat

Load table

Speedtrain weight
88 mph1000t
75 mph1350t
62 mph2000t
50 mph2500t

The values in the table are valid for a flat track.

Links

WikipediaRailfanEurope