Hobby Boss 1/72 Dampflokomotive BR86

The DRG Class 86 was a standard (see Einheitsdampflokomotive) goods train tank locomotive with the Deutsche Reichsbahn-Gesellschaft. It was intended for duties on branch lines and was delivered by almost all the locomotive building firms working for the Reichsbahn. From 1942 it was built in a simplified version as a 'transitional war locomotive' (Übergangskriegslokomotive or ÜK). The most obvious changes were the omission of the second side windows in the cab and the solid disc carrying wheels.

Almost all German locomotive factories took part in building these engines, 775 examples being produced in the period from 1928 to 1943. Its area of operations was predominantly the routes in Germany's central mountains (Mittelgebirge); as a result the first 10 units were given a Riggenbach counter-pressure brake. Twenty locomotives were destroyed during the Second World War; lightly damaged engines were repaired. Of the original 775 units, 175 went to the GDR railways, 385 to the Deutsche Bundesbahn, 29 to the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB), 44 to the PKP in Poland as the Class TKt3, 73 to the SZD and 62 to the CSD (6 of which later went to the SZD and 86 043 in 1958 to the GDR). On the last-mentioned 62 engines 28 became the CSD Class 455.2. Only 2 engines are still unaccounted for (86 016 and 86 469). The ÖBB began to retire them as early as 1945, but the last did not retire until 1972. However the Austrian engines had some of the most spectacular duties, including working double-headed on heavy, empty, ore trains with a DRB Class 52.

The Bundesbahn stationed most of its 86's in Nuremberg for the Franconian branch lines and the marshalling yards there. The locomotive shed at Hof, Germany was also renowned Class 86 territory. Short, semi-fast trains were also regularly hauled by the Class 86. The DB retired its last one in 1974.

In the GDR railways the 86's were mainly stationed at Aue engine shed (with over 50 engines) for the surrounding Erzgebirge routes. Some DR engines stationed at Heringsdorf shed on the island of Usedom were even given smoke deflectors. One well-known service was a fast-stopping train with 7 Bghw coaches, but light express trains were also on their schedule in the central mountains. The Class 86's last (official) year in service in the DR was 1976, but several engines continued to run on into the 1980s. Since its inauguration in 1928, no. 86 001/86 1001 was under steam almost every day, but in its latter years was often just used as a heating engine. Its last duties were on the stub line from Schlettau to Crottendorf, where it ended its steam services in 1988. Together with 86 501 this loco was once again taken into scheduled service for a week in 1989 to celebrate the centenary of the route. With a service age of 60 years, it became the longest serving of all the standard locomotives to be placed in scheduled service by a national railway. Since 1999, no. 86 001 has been mothballed. No. 86 1056 met a tragic end in 1989 when she was the last victim of the GDR's scrapping madness and was converted into a mobile steam dispenser. Its driving gear and cylinders went into the furnace.

Nice to see this kit in 1/72 scale. Trumpeter has done it in 1/35 and it is a bit large for many collections. This one is not. As with other Hobby Boss rail kits, this one has a large two section roadbed stand. I found that of the vehicle isn't too long, one could reduce the footprint of the finished model on the shelf by only building up one section.

One begins the kit by building up the frame and attaching the various crossmembers and smaller tanks to it. The front and rear bumper sections are next and each of these is very nicely detailed. The power pistons are the next items, followed by the road wheels. This locomotive is a 2-8-2 which means it has two small steering wheels in the front (one on each side), followed by the eight large drive wheels and two more smaller steering wheels.

Each of the drive wheels is connected, and Hobby Boss provides a good representation of this somewhat complex assembly. There are additional drawings in this area to ensure that the builder has everything in the proper place.

The next area of construction is the large boiler with the various steam domes as well as the front area. The firebox area is simplified in this kit and is only a few items, but is nicely done and quite convincing. The cabin is a single piece, which is also quite nice and saves any issues of filling seams. There is a coal bunker that fits to the back of the cab and that comes with a variety of ladders and rails. The top of the cab has a plate that could be left loose so one could more easily see into it. Finally, there are a set of box walkways to fit on either side of the boiler. The kit does not come with the smoke deflectors, which would look cool, but were not fitted to many of these locomotives.

I earlier built a Soviet rail car and was pleased with how it turned out. This one is equally as well done and is hopefully a sign that other road locomotives will be coming.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DRG_Class_86

June 2013 

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