Diesel locomotive class 120 "Taigatrommel" ("Taiga Drum"), DR prototype, wheel arrangement 6-6. Model of the 120 048-4. Body plastic, frame die-cast metal, motor with flywheel. Drive on all six axles, four wheels with traction tires. Etched metal plates separately included. Total length 202 mm.
From 1966 to 1975 the DR ordered a total of 378 class V 200 (since 1970, class 120) locomotives in several lots from the Soviet Union.
The locomotives (initially built in Woroschilowgrad, later in Lugansk) with the factory designation M62 were used mainly in goods traffic due to the absence of train heating equipment. The first engines were delivered without exhaust sound baffles on the roof, which lead to their German nickname, "Taigatrommel" ("Taiga Drum"). The nickname was, however only common in German; in Czechia the locomotive was known as "Sergej", in Poland as "Gagarin".
In order to reduce the notoriously loud noise level, the DR had their own sound baffles (type "Meinigen") developed.
As of engine number V 200 178, these baffles were factory installed. The type M62 locomotives were not only in DR service, but also in many other national and industrial railways. These were mainly in the ex Eastern Block countries, although the DB-AG also obtained some engines (designated as class 220), the last of which was retired in 1994.
