Description

It was the right locomotive at the wrong time. In 1939, the German State Railways introduced two impressive streamlined express locomotives, road numbers 06 001 and 06 002. Equipped with four driving axles, these powerful machines delivered more than 3,500 horsepower, making them among the most formidable express steam locomotives of their era. However, the outbreak of the Second World War meant that these two remarkable locomotives remained unique prototypes. After the war, the German Federal Railway (DB) considered removing their streamlined casings—similar to what had been done with the famous Class 05—and fitting them with newly designed boilers. In the end, economic realities led to a different decision, and both Class 06 locomotives were ultimately scrapped.

Had their early technical issues been resolved, these extraordinary steam giants might well have become true flagship locomotives during Germany’s post-war economic boom. What never became reality on the full-size railway has now been brought to life in miniature. Using original archive drawings, our team has recreated this impressive locomotive in highly detailed model form. The result is a finely crafted representation of 06 002, imagined as part of a fictitious Hamm maintenance depot.

The dream of a mighty DB express steam locomotive lives on—now as a striking centerpiece on any model railway layout.

Prototype: German Federal Railroad (DB) express steam locomotive, road number 06 002. In a prototypical version without streamlining, with a type 2´3 T38 coal tender, dual headlights, Witte smoke deflectors, and an inductive magnet on one side. The locomotive was based in Hamm. It looks as it did in 1952.

Highlights

• Prototypical modeling of a DB design for use of the de-streamlined class 06.
• Completely new tooling.
• Frame as new tooling - when run slowly trouble-free negotiation of sharp curves and turnout combinations.
• Model constructed mostly of metal.
• A variety of separately applied details.
• Finely detailed valve gear.
• Factory-installed smoke unit with dynamic smoke exhaust, which varies with the speed.
• Buffer capacitor included to bridge over short track lengths without current.
• Cab lighting can be controlled digitally.
• Firebox flickering can be controlled digitally.
• The running gear lighting can be controlled digitally.
• mfx+ World of Operation digital decoder with extensive light and sound functions.
• Buffer height conforms to the NEM.

Model: The locomotive has an mfx+ digital decoder and extensive sound functions. It also has controlled, high-efficiency propulsion with a flywheel, mounted in the boiler. One axle powered, three axles powered using side rods. Traction tires. The locomotive and tender are constructed mostly of metal. The locomotive has a factory-installed smoke unit with dynamic smoke exhaust, which varies with the speed. Dual headlights change over with the direction of travel, will work in conventional operation, and can be controlled digitally. Cab lighting and firebox flickering can be controlled separately in digital operation. Maintenance-free, warm white and red LEDs are used for the lighting. There is a buffer capacitor. There is a close coupling with a guide mechanism between the locomotive and tender. There is a close coupler with a guide mechanism in an NEM pocket on the back of the tender. The buffer height on the locomotive and tender conform to the NEM.

The minimum radius for operation is 437.5 mm / 17-1/4" radius. With slight limitations Radius 1 operation in also possible. Piston rod protection sleeves and brake hoses are included.

Length over the buffers approximately 31 cm / 12-3/16".

A car set to go with this locomotive is also being offered under item number 42528 exclusively for Insider members in 2026.