Product Features and Details
Information about the model
The German Federal Railway's (DB) diesel locomotive type plan of 1955 already included the design of a twin-engine heavy diesel locomotive, designated as the V320 series. However, due to structural changes within the railway, the DB itself postponed its development. Undeterred, the Henschel company developed a locomotive at its own expense, internally designated DH 4000, equipped with two independent engine sets and hydraulic power transmission. After six years of planning and construction, only one locomotive, the V320 001, was built. The V320 proved highly successful. With two 1900 hp engines, it achieved a top speed of 180 km/h and was approved for 160 km/h. Its design served as a model for the entire DB V160 family. As it became clear that the electrification of the main lines could be implemented much faster than originally planned, the heavy diesel locomotive lost its priority. DB (Deutsche Bundesbahn) did not order any of these locomotives, the largest German diesel locomotive to date, but instead leased the unique locomotive from the manufacturer and operated it in express train service from the Hamm depot and, in May 1965, from the Kempten depot. From 1968, it operated under the road number 232 001, and the lease agreement expired in 1974. The 232 001 was then returned to the manufacturer, Henschel, where it was converted into a freight locomotive. It then spent time with private railway companies, beginning with its sale to the Hersfeld District Railway. After several years with the Teutoburg Forest Railway, the locomotive was eventually sold to Italy. In 1998, the Wiebe company purchased the locomotive, bringing it back to Germany, and since 2000 has operated it on its own trains throughout the country. However, since a bearing failure in 2015, a further refurbishment has been dispensed with and the V320 001 has since been presented in the Wittenberge Historical Locomotive Shed.
Model details
- Lighting with warm white LEDs
- Finely detailed bogie cover
- Bogie with many extra attached parts
- Fine printing and varnishing
- Chassis and gearbox halves made of metal
- finely engraved details
- Freestanding grab bars
- Cooling fan replicated
- Fan grille pierced
- Extra steel springs
- Signal horn attached separately
