Marklin 2012 Insider Club Locomotive BR 56.2  
    

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Prototype: The 56 class is one of the classes in which the German State Railroad (DRG) collected all the 2 – 8 – 0 type locomotives which it inherited from the former German states after WWI.  The 562-8 class which this model presents added even more variety.  It started its live as a Prussian  G81  class which became the famous  55  class in the 1920’s.  While powerful, the  55’s were extremely slow reaching a top speed of only 55 km/h (35 mph).  Because of this, they were of limited use as mainline freight locomotives.  Instead of scrapping hundreds of these relatively new engines, the DRG decided on a rebuilding program after it discovered that it was relatively easy and inexpensive to add a leading axle to a 55 class locomotive.  This significantly improved its high speed running, and only reduced pulling power marginally.  It was now possible to achieve a speed of 70 km/h (44 mph), which allowed using the locomotive on light to medium freight trains as well as on commuter trains (Personenzug).  In their last years, they also served as hump and yard engines.

Model:  Marklin's new BR56.2 is all metal, it comes equipped with a powerful motor and digtal decoder with sound.  Model is expected to be delivered in December 2012.

Modellers Tip: The modeler interested in this loco can use it in front of all but the longest freight trains.   Moreover, German freight trains in the 1950’s and 1960’s had a caboose similar to L235002 (an Era II model) which was usually located at the front of the train right after the locomotive.  All the other manufacturers offer cabooses too, so the modeler has a wide choice.  For passenger trains, the Liliput cars L334403, L334030, L334033, L334035, and L334038 fit the West German version of the loco with one caveat: The engine has the German Railroad symbol from Era IIIb, while the Liliput coaches are labeled for Era IIIa.  Using Roco or Fleischmann Thunderboxes and 3yg rebuilts labeled for Era IIIb is also an option.  One may even find some of the 4-axle rebuilts behind them.  The options are too many to list here in detail.  There is a famous picture of one of these locomotives pulling a combination of post-war, pre-war and Prussian cars.  Local trains were made up in such a variety that almost every combination of prewar rolling with two or three axles is plausible.  For the East German version, the following would fit: Either L334015-L334018 or  L334409 with L334044-L334048 as coaches.  In addition, all the cars mentioned before for the West German version could be used too, except the 3-axled rebuilts.  These were only used in the west.  However, East Germany built its own rebuilds which are offered by Piko. Of course, mixing the previous classes of coaches always is an option.

 

	Control Unit	Sx	Mobile Station	DCC	Mobile Station 2	Central Station
Headlight(s)	·		·		·	·
Smoke generator	·		·		·	·
Steam locomotive op. sounds	·		·		·	·
Locomotive whistle	·		·		·	·
Direct control	·		·		·	·
Sound of squealing brakes off			·		·	·
Injectors			·		·	·
Bell			·		·	·
Letting off Steam			·		·	·
Sound of coal being shoveled					·	·
Grate Shaken					·	·
Whistle for switching maneuver					·	·