Introduction to the DB class 218
Between 1971 and 1979 398 locomotives of the class 218 were built. With power from 2500 to 2800 HP and top speed of 140 km/h it is a multipurpose locomotives that can be seen with heavy freight trains as well as fast Euro City trains.
Roco introduced a model of the DB 218 a few years ago and it is one of the best rendition of this class in HO.
DCC Sound Installation
The 218 497-6 is a special model made for Modellbahnshop-lippe. It is an epoche/era VI version, like it was running until 2019 (when its prototype was put of out service).
I bought the analog DC version (catno: 73232) with a plan to install sound in it.
I bought the analog DC version (catno: 73232) with a plan to install sound in it.
This picture shows the PCB after the shell is removed. It has a PLUX16 dummy plug.
After removing the PCB, you can see the location for the speakers. It has already sound enclose/baffle in the frame. It fits 11x15mm sugar cube speakers. I installed two that I ordered from Digikey.
The two speakers are installed. There is no need to solder any wires as the underside of the PCB has contacts that connect to the springloaded connections on the speakers.
After putting the PCB back in, I installed an ESU LokSound 5 PLUX 22 decoder. I installed the latest version of the ESU 218 sound (project S0033, version V3-R3).
A quick sound demo.