Prototype: What is there to say about the Bavarian D VI? While this charming little locomotive was certainly not "the" standard engine of the DB, a closer look reveals a fascinating and versatile history, spanning all the way to Era IV. Our "Berg" was built in 1883 for the Bavarian local railways. As a lightweight yet sturdy construction, locomotives of this type were found on secondary lines. The DRG (Deutsche Reichsbahn Gesellschaft) still took over 26 of these locomotives and classified them as the Class 98.75. The "Berg" was already sold to the Raubling peat works in 1927, where it remained in active service until 1965. Its sister locomotives, however, continued their work as ferry bridge locomotives, depot engines, and industrial locomotives, some even up until the early 1960s.
For instance, some Bavarian D VI locomotives were stationed in places like Ludwigshafen or Mainz, where they were even labeled with the "Deutsche Bundesbahn" insignia and permitted to run on Federal Railway tracks! In the 1950s and 60s, the "Berg," with its black boiler, green cab, and red chassis, made appearances during various special trips. In 1964, it was even particularly polished for its starring role in the film Tante Frieda – Lausbubengeschichten (by Ludwig Thoma). This means that, in the mid-1960s, this locomotive was still running on DB tracks under steam! A forgotten star, perhaps?
Model: This is an all-metal model from the "Classic Edition," featuring a high-performance digital decoder and HDKM-16 sound module as standard. It also includes the KM Dynamic Smoke system with synchronized steam discharge from the wheels, an energy storage unit for smooth, reliable operation even on dirty or short sections of track, stainless steel wheel tires, a fully functional and ball-bearing gearbox, and ball-bearing axles with current pickup at the axle bearings, making it maintenance-free and silent. Additional features include cab lighting, firebox lighting, authentic screw couplers (interchangeable with KM1 double hook couplers or claw couplers), a detailed cab, direction-dependent front lighting, warm white LEDs, and accurate paintwork and lettering. The recommended minimum radius is 1020 mm (600 mm is possible). Length is approximately 21.5 cm, with a weight of 1.04 kg.
TIP: The D VI is an excellent addition to your fleet as a private railway, industrial, or depot locomotive. Simply add the desired markings (item no. 109815), such as "Locomotive 1," "Locomotive 2," "Factory Locomotive," "Anna," "Frieda," "Approved for Federal Railway Tracks," or various depot station names and locomotive numbers. Feel free to inquire about custom inscriptions and operational numbers for your D VI—we will do our best to accommodate your requests. Create a unique piece for your layout or desk diorama!
In 1967, the DGEG (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Eisenbahngeschichte) acquired the "Berg" as a museum locomotive. The D VI was powered by a two-cylinder wet steam engine with external Stephenson valve gear and slide valves. Its small coal bunkers were located in the cab, next to the steam dome. Behind the cab, the "Berg" also had an additional coal bunker. The water tank was positioned between the frame sides.
The D VI celebrated its 100th birthday in 1983 still under steam—how many other steam locomotives can say that? In the early 1980s, it was still running museum trains, but in 1984, it had to be taken out of service due to a boiler defect. Today, it resides in the DGEG museum in Neustadt an der Weinstraße.
