NEW Roco 7310117 H0 Diesellok 218 308-5 DB Ep.IV DC-Sound

Roco 7310117 H0 Diesel Locomotive 218 308-5 DB – DC Sound, Era IV

Are you looking for a highly detailed Deutsche Bundesbahn diesel locomotive that combines historical paint schemes with digital sound and switchable lighting functions? The Roco 7310117 BR 218 308 brings a special variant of the well-known Class 218 to your H0 model railroad layout. The model features an old-red paint scheme and is distinguished by various DB logo variations on the locomotive fronts, an exact replica of the roof design, and numerous separately attached details, some of which are produced using etching techniques.

The history of the prototype is particularly fascinating. The 218 308 belongs to the third production series of the Class 218 and was built by Krupp in Essen. It was accepted and certified on September 12, 1974, at the Bundesbahn repair shop in Bremen. After initially being based at the Regensburg depot, the locomotive was stationed at the Mühldorf depot from September 24, 1983, through November 4, 2000. This period forms the backdrop for the version depicted here.

A distinctive feature of the 218 308 is its long period of service in the purple-red color scheme according to RAL 3004. Even after the transition to Deutsche Bahn AG in 1994, it retained this paint scheme until December 1998. In addition, until 1994, it still bore the old Bundesbahn logo without a border on the front of the cab. These distinctive features give the Roco model a special historical character.

Old-red paint scheme and various DB logo variants

The old red paint scheme defines the appearance of the Roco 218 308. It evokes a time when this locomotive was still operating in the purple-red color scheme long after Deutsche Bahn AG had begun its color change.

Particularly interesting are the different DB logo variations on the locomotive fronts. On the front of cab 2, the old Bundesbahn logo without a border remained in use until 1994. It was not until the new red DB AG logos were introduced that this distinctive detail disappeared.

For collectors of historic Bundesbahn rolling stock, this combination of paint scheme and lettering is particularly appealing. It makes the locomotive depicted an interesting addition to Era IV train sets.

Accurate roof design and finely crafted details

The roof design has been carefully reproduced on this model. It is complemented by numerous separately applied snap-on parts, some of which are produced using etching techniques. This gives the locomotive a nuanced model design with many individually crafted details.

The undercarriage design also meets the requirements of a prototype-accurate model. The Roco 7310117 features prototype-accurate low flanges. For model railroaders who require a different flange height, wheel sets with 1.2 mm high flanges are available as replacement parts.

Historical Background of the Class 218

The 218 308 belongs to the third production series of the Class 218. It was built by Krupp in Essen and accepted and certified on September 12, 1974, at the Bundesbahn repair shop in Bremen.

Its first assigned rail depot was Regensburg, where it was based until September 23, 1983. On September 24, 1983, it was transferred to the Mühldorf depot and remained stationed there until November 4, 2000.

Its long period of service in the purple-red color scheme according to RAL 3004 is a distinctive feature of this locomotive. The locomotive retained its old red paint scheme even after the transition to Deutsche Bahn AG in 1994, until December 1998. The old Bundesbahn logo on cab 2 also remained in place until 1994.

Voith cooling system with characteristic prototype sound

The 218 308 was equipped with a Voith ventilation system that produces a distinctive sound. This feature is one of the prototype’s interesting characteristics and enhances the locomotive’s historical authenticity.

The Roco 7310117 features digital sound capabilities. As a result, the model combines the typical old-red appearance with an acoustic experience for digital layout operation.

Digital Sound and Switchable Lighting

The model features an integrated digital decoder and a sound function. In digital operation, several switchable lighting functions are available, including the headlight, tail light, cab lighting, and engine room lighting.

The direction-dependent three-light headlight and the two tail lights are implemented using LED technology. The additional lighting functions offer further possibilities for showcasing the locomotive appropriately in model railroad operation.

In particular, the switchable cab and engine room lighting complement the features. This allows the locomotive to be individually illuminated for various operating situations.

Prototype-accurate low flanges and available replacement wheel sets

The Roco 7310117 features wheel sets with prototype-accurate low flanges. This design enhances the model’s delicate appearance.

Alternatively, wheel sets with 1.2 mm high flanges are available as replacement parts. The specified replacement part numbers are 145433 and 145435. This allows model railroaders to opt for an alternative wheel set design if needed.

PluX22 Interface and Close-Coupling Mechanism

The locomotive is equipped with an integrated PluX22 digital decoder. The electrical interface also complies with the PluX22 standard.

For coupling with compatible cars, the model features a NEM 362 coupling shaft with close-coupling kinematics. This allows the locomotive to be integrated into compatible train formations using suitable model railroad couplers.

A Special Deutsche Bundesbahn Locomotive for Collectors

The Roco 7310117 is designed for model railroaders who collect classic Deutsche Bundesbahn diesel locomotives and wish to recreate historical operating conditions as authentically as possible. Its long service life in the purple-red color scheme, the various DB logo variations, and the precise roof design give the 218 308 a distinctive look that makes it instantly recognizable.

The separately attached details and the prototypical low flanges complement the exterior design. Added to this are the integrated digital decoder, the sound effects, and the switchable cab and engine room lighting. As a result, the model combines historical prototype details with versatile functions for digital model railroad operation.

Roco 7310117 – The Old Red BR 218 308 with Digital Sound

With the Roco 7310117 H0 diesel locomotive 218 308 of the Deutsche Bundesbahn, you can expand your collection with a special variant from the third production series. The old-red paint scheme, the various DB logo variations, and the carefully reproduced roof design make this model an attractive addition to Era IV layouts.

The integrated digital decoder with sound and the switchable lighting functions expand the model’s capabilities on your layout. The switchable cab and engine room lighting add further details to the model’s features for digital operation.

Bring the legendary Class 218 to your H0 model railroad! Discover the Roco 7310117 in our model railroad shop and add the old-red 218 308—with its historic DB logos, digital sound, and versatile lighting functions—to your collection.

Features:

• Manufacturer: Roco
• Item Number: 7310117
• Gauge: H0
• Era: IV
• German Federal Railroad (DB) Class 218 308 Diesel Locomotive
• Class 218, third production series
• Old Red paint scheme
• Locomotive fronts featuring various DB logo variations
• Exact reproduction of the roof design
• Separately attached parts, some made using etching techniques
• Prototype-accurate low flanges
• Spare wheel sets with 1.2 mm high flanges available
• Part numbers: 145433 and 145435
• Prototype built by Krupp in Essen
• Accepted and certified on September 12, 1974
• Initial home depot: Regensburg Depot
• Based at Mühldorf Depot from 1983 to 2000
• Purple-red color scheme according to RAL 3004 until December 1998
• Voith ventilation system with characteristic prototype sound
• Flywheel present
• Four powered axles
• One axle with traction tires
• Direction-dependent three-light front signal
• Two tail lights
• LED headlight
• Additional digital lighting functions
• Digitally controllable cab lighting
• Digitally controllable engine room lighting
• Power system: DC Digital
• Electrical interface: PluX22
• Digital decoder: PluX22
• Sound: Yes
• Coupler shaft per NEM 362
• With close-coupling mechanism
• Minimum radius: 358 mm
• Length over buffers: 189 mm

Further links:

• Print View

CAUTION: Not suitable for children under 3 years. Danger of swallowing! Age recommendation from 14 years.