Introduction
The class 216 started as the V160 in 1960 with 10 prototypes. The first 9 had a more rounded looking front-end which resulted in a the nickname "lollo". The 10th prototype got a more square/modern looking front-end that was derived from the V320 prototype. Production serie started in 1964 and a further 214 units were built.
The 216 was a successful diesel locomotive and was in regular service until 2004. Some private operators still run with them.
From the 1970's until 1984 the Dutch Railways (Nederlands Spoorwegen) leased some units. They were running the regular freight trains in the north of the Netherlands and that is how I got to see this class for the first time.
Two photo's taken of the class 216 in Franeker.
Models
Märklin introduced a model of the 216 in the late 1960's, quickly followed by Röwa. The Röwa model was really nice for its time. In the meantime Roco, Trix, Brawa, ESU and Piko have introduced models of this popular diesel locomotive.
The list below shows the 216 that are in my (or have been in my) collection.
| Number: | V160 003 |
| Manufacturer: | Roco |
| Catalogus no: | 43840 |
| Era: | III & V (museum) |
| Description: | This model is the special museum edition, in a nice wooden box. |
| DCC: |
| Number: | 216 010-9 |
| Manufacturer: | Piko |
| Catalogus no: | 52400 |
| Era: | IV |
| DCC: | This is originally an analog model but I installed an ESU Loksound 5 decoder. |
| Number: | 216 025-7 |
| Manufacturer: | Hamo (Märklin) |
| Catalogus no: | 8375 |
| Era: | IV |
| Description: | The original Märklin model of the class 216. This is the 2 rail DC Hamo version. |
| Number: | 216 033-1 |
| Manufacturer: | Piko |
| Catalogus no: | 52415 |
| Era: | 1977/01 - 1982/01 |
| Description: | Piko model of the 216 in original red color. Ths is a DC model that I've upgraded to DCC with Loksound 5 sound decoder. |
| Number: | 216 102-4 |
| Manufacturer: | Brawa |
| Catalogus no: | 0384 |
| Era: | 1998-2004 |
| Description: | The DB Cargo version of the class 216 in the latest red colors. It was in service until 2004. |
| DCC: | Has standard NEM 8 pin connector. |
| Number: | 216 118-0 |
| Manufacturer: | Brawa |
| Catalogus no: | 41160 |
| Era: | 1971-1974 |
| Description: | Updated version of the Brawa 216. It has been upgraded to include LED lights and a PLUX22 DCC socket. The information on the locomotive places this in Oldenburg, with a revision date of 1971. It was moved to Gießen in early 1974, so this places this in the time between May 1971 to early January 1974. |
| DCC: | PLUX22 |
| Number: | 216 134-7 |
| Manufacturer: | Brawa |
| Catalogus no: | 0386 |
| Era: | 1978-1998 |
| Description: | The standard ocean blue-beige color scheme. The 216 134-7 got painted into this scheme in September 1978. |
| DCC: | Has standard NEM 8 pin connector. |
| Number: | 216 154-5 |
| Manufacturer: | Röwa |
| Catalogus no: | 1201 |
| Era: | IV |
| Description: | Röwa introduced a very nice model of the 216 in the 1970's. It had very nice detailing, especially for its time. Röwa stopped in 1975 and most of its models continued with Roco. Unfortunately this 216 didn't because Roco had already a 215 of its own. |
| DCC: | N/A |
| Number: | 216 156-0 |
| Manufacturer: | ESU |
| Catalogus no: | 31002 |
| Era: | IV |
| DCC: | Factory installed Loksound 5. |
| Number: | 216 177-6 |
| Manufacturer: | Piko |
| Catalogus no: | 52408 |
| Era: | 1985/04 - 1993/04 |
| DCC: | PLUX22 - I have installed a Loksound5 decoder. |
| Number: | 216 221-2 |
| Manufacturer: | Brawa |
| Catalogus no: | 0380 |
| Era: | IV |
| DCC: | Has standard NEM 8 pin connector. |