Wednesday, August 6, 2014

DB Class 103 - Addendum

Couldn't resist one additional post on my favorite loco...

I happened to snag Fleischmann's latest version, the 103 184-8 for a really good price on ebay recently, and I can say it is Fleischmann's finest. Absolutely crystal clear printing with a lot of detail missing on previous version (such as silver rings around headlights, black seals between body hoods, etc.), finally cab side windows that fit properly, and finally a proper darker grey center roof hood. See for yourself (click to enlarge):



One small note, however: Fleischmann advertises this model in its catalog as an Era IV livery. This is inaccurate. While the difference is very subtle, the lettering depicts the locomotive as it is currently preserved and as it operated until recently with the new international numbering system, i.e. Era VI, although the additional digits are kept in medium grey, as on the original, in order to preserve the overall historic appearance of the locomotive.


The model is still powered by Fleischmann's trusty three-pole motor with a single (moderately ineffective) flywheel. Mine runs very smoothly, including at low speeds, but still has ridiculously excessive top speed, as with all Fleischmann 103s since the 70's. This latest version has a NEM 651 6-prong socket for easy installation of a DCC decoder, but the headlights are unfortunately still illuminated with a regular incandescent bulb just like 40 years ago (and the lighting still illuminates the cab - I'll do a quick post on how to fix that soon).

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