N Class E 32 DB III electric locomotive 40820/40821

18.10.2024 N Class E 32 DB III electric locomotive 40820/40821

A Bavarian classic as an N-gauge model from PIKO

40820 N Electric locomotive BR E 32 DB Ep. III 230,00 €
40821 N Electric locomotive/sound BR E 32 DB Ep. III, incl. PSD XP S with PIKO TrainSound® onboard 350,00 €  

The highlights of the PIKO model summarised in bullet points:

• Completely new design
• Fine metal scissor pantographs
• Detailed design of engine room equipment
• Filigree rod drive
• Freestanding handrails and cables

Some information about the prototype and model:

Between 1924 and 1926, the DR's Bavarian Group Administration commissioned the companies BBC and Maffei to supply a total of 29 electric locomotives for the light passenger train service. The locomotives were designated EP 2 and were given the numbers 20006 to 20034. The distinctive machines were initially used on the early electrified lines in Upper Bavaria and Bavarian Swabia. In 1927, the locomotives were renamed E 32 006 - 034. The E 32 was characterised by its compact design with diagonal rod drive and countershaft. The maximum speed was originally 75 km/h. It was increased to 90 km/h in 1932 by changing the gear ratio on eight machines. These locomotives were subsequently operated as the E 32.1. After the Second World War, the DB took over 24 still intact locomotives, which were operated from 1968 as class 132 or 132.1. The locomotives continued to be used in Upper Bavaria and on the Wiesen and Wehratalbahn in Baden. The last remaining eight locomotives were taken out of service at Munich main station on 1 August 1972.

Our prototype: E 32 12 of the Haltingen depot, revision 11.3.59

With the E 32 series, PIKO is putting another important representative of the old electric locomotives on the N track. The rod drive, the spoked wheels and the 1‘C1’ axle arrangement hint at design principles from the steam locomotive era. PIKO presents this piece of railway history as a perfectly shaped model on a scale of 1:160. The quality of the tooling has enabled a particularly fine representation of the rivet pattern on the locomotive body. The prototypically designed roof area is characterised by the pantographs in addition to the fine lines. The rustic running gear area of the prototype has been transferred to the model with the same level of detail. The different locomotive lanterns with and without a disc box are prototypical. The models equipped with a digital decoder at the factory have a vehicle sound with numerous individual sound sequences and driver's cab lighting. Switching between white and red head and tail lighting is obligatory for all models. Thanks to the Next18 interface, it is very easy to add a digital decoder to analogue models.

With the E 32, PIKO brings the fascination of early electric traction to the N track. The pair of conversion cars with close couplers released in 2024 serve as a supplement to the striking locomotive.