DB, electric locomotive class 181.2The prototype of the Arnold model:Electrification of various rail lines between France, Luxembourg, and Germany in the 1960s and 1970s created an increased need for dual-system locomotives for operation at 15 kV, 162/3 Hz and 25 kV, 50 Hz. Based on the experience gained with the four locomotives of the 181.0 and 181.1 series, the German Federal Railroad ordered 25 dual-system locomotives, which were put into service as the 181.2 series (181 201 to 181 225) starting in 1974. The first 10 locomotives were delivered in steel blue paint, while 181 211-225 were already painted in the DB's new two-color scheme of ocean blue and beige.Some of the locomotives were given the names "Lorraine" (181 211), "Luxembourg" (181 212), "Saar" (181 213) and "Mosel" (181 214) to match their area of operation.The main area of use for the 3,300 kW electric locomotives was initially in cross-border traffic on the Frankfurt a. M. - Metz and Strasbourg - Stuttgart routes, where they hauled express, fast and freight trains. In IC and EC traffic, they could also be seen in Luxembourg, Basel, Leipzig and other German cities. It wasn't until 2018 that the era of this class came to an end at Deutsche Bahn AG. In the meantime, however, some locomotives have returned to the tracks through other railroad companies and enrich the vehicle diversity of modern railroads.The new Arnold model in detail:- Frame made of metal injection molding, housing also high-quality plastic.- The locomotives has a detailed and illuminated engine room interior (in digital mode with flickering of the fluorescent tubes when switched on).- The sun visors in the two cabs are shown partially lowered.- Powerful five-pole motor with flywheel masses- All wheel sets driven- Close coupler kinematics on both sides with coupler pockets according to NEM 355- Head and tail lights illuminated depending on the direction of travel and switchable in digital mode- Many extra details and finest metal pantographs- All model versions also available with sound. The sound was developed in cooperation with ESU especially for this model by us- Digital interface according to NEM 662 ("Next 18")- Minimum radius: 192 mm- Length over buffers: 112 mm- Weight: approx. 72 g