Diesel Electric Double Locomotive. German Federal Railroad class V 188. With DELTA electronic circuit. 2 motors. 4 axles powered. 4 traction tires. Length over buffers 25.8 cm (10-3/16").
This locomotive was produced as a one-time series only in 1998.
After several years of experiments with the V 120 and V 140 prototypes as well as the regular use of small locomotives and powered railcars, a concept for the mass production of large diesel locomotives had still not been developed in Germany at the end of the 1930s. The increased tension of the political situation increased the necessity, however, for an effective railroad logistics plan that did not rely on the extended infrastructure for electric and steam operations. Twelve robust diesel electric locomotives were ordered initially from Krupp, probably on the basis of American experience with this type of motive power. These units were supposed to be designed for doubleheading and were in fact used only in pairs. This resulted in the designation as the class V 188 - corresponding to the total output of 1,880 horsepower.
Originally, these locomotives were each equipped with a 940 horsepower, 6 cylinder MAN motor that powered electric traction motors on each axle from a generator. The two locomotives together formed a colossus of 147 metric tons that reached speeds up to 75 km/h (47 mph). The enormous tractive effort of 37 metric tons was the same as the E 94 electric locomotive built at the same time, that required more than double the power.
Three of the double locomotives survived the war; two of them were overhauled in 1952. They were equipped with new Maybach 12 cylinder motors of each 1,100 horsepower and were used for almost another 20 years in Southern Germany. The only DB diesel electric locomotive was retired from service as the class 288 - the decision had been made in the meantime to use diesel hydraulic locomotives.
