Class 151 Electric Locomotive

In the late Sixties the German Federal Railroad recognized that the class 140 and 150 standard design locomotives that had been bought were not enough to fulfill the growing demand for traffic. The one was too weak (class 140), the other was too slow (class 150). A new locomotive type was needed. What the design engineers then put on the rails was simply put a "six-axle class 140". The class 103 was the godfather in the case of the frame and trucks. This new unit was rostered as the class 151. It left its mark on heavy freight trains with 170 units. Initially these locomotives were painted in the beautiful chrome oxide green scheme before they were changed to the decorative ocean blue / beige. Eventually after their orient red phase they were done in gleaming traffic red and with single-arm pantographs instead of the original double-arm pantographs. They were active in this design until the end of their days by DB Cargo in the summer of 2024. Model railroaders on the other hand can grant the class 151 a much longer use.

Prototype: German Railroad, Inc. (DB AG) class 151 electric locomotive painted. Traffic red basic paint scheme. Road number 151 035-3. The locomotive looks as it did starting in 2009.

Highlights

• Tooling changes for the correct modelling of the Era VI variation.
• Single-arm pantographs as new tooling.
• Pantographs can be raised and lowered digitally.
• Many separately applied details.
• Separately applied wheel imitations.
• Digitally controlled cab and engine room lighting.
• Separately controlled startup lamp in digital operation.
• mfx+ digital decoder with extensive operation and sound functions.
• Metal frame and locomotive body.
• Buffer height conforms to the NEM.
• Buffer capacitor included to bridge over short areas without current.

Product description

Model: The locomotive has an mfx+ digital decoder and extensive sound functions. It also has controlled high-efficiency propulsion with a flywheel, centrally mounted. 2 axles powered in each truck and driven by cardan shafts. Traction tires. The triple headlights and dual red marker lights change over with the direction of travel and can be controlled digitally. The headlights at Locomotive End 2 and 1 can be turned off separately in digital operation. There is a double "A" light function. Cab lighting changes over with the direction of travel. It and the engine room lighting can be controlled digitally. A buffer capacitor is included. A startup lamp also changes with the direction of travel and can be controlled digitally. Maintenance-free warm white and red LEDs are used for the lighting. The roof equipment is modelled in detail and the locomotive has single-arm pantographs as new tooling. The pantographs can be raised and lowered digitally. There are many separately applied parts such as wheel imitations, grab irons, sand boxes, UIC plugs, and roof conductors. The buffer height adheres to the NEM. Brake lines, prototype couplers, and various sockets are included as parts for separate installation on the locomotive. Length over the buffers approximately 22.4 cm / 8-13/16".

Freight cars to go with this locomotive can be found in the Märklin H0 assortment under item number 46670 and with other car numbers in the Trix H0 assortment under item number 24182 with information about the required exchange wheelsets. This model can be found in a DC version in the Trix H0 assortment under item number 25652.

Find more Märklin explanation videos on our YouTube Channel

Spare parts for our articles can be found here in our spare parts search.

Digital Functions

* New features of the Central Station 2 (Part No. 60213, 60214 or 60215) with the software update 4.2

** New features of the Mobile Station 2 (Part No. 60657/66955) with the Software Update 3.55