{"product_id":"piko-21793-expert-wfl-br243-019-electric-locomotive-vi-ac-sound-ho-gauge","title":"Piko 21793 Expert WFL BR243 019 Electric Locomotive VI (~AC-Sound) HO Gauge","description":"Expert WFL BR243 019 Electric Locomotive VI (~AC-Sound)\n1:87 scale model produced by Piko. This model is ready-to-run straight out of the box and would make a excellent addition to any model railway collection.\nFeatures:\nAC Sound Model\nBest suited to Epoch VI Model Railways\nThis model mainly operates in Germany\nThis model is decorated in WFL company markings\nThis model is best suited to 358mm radius curves\nDetails\nIn the 1980s, few lines on the East German railway network were rated for speeds above 120 km\/h (75 mph), which influenced the Deutsche Reichsbahn’s specification of 120 km\/h as the top speed for their Class 243 locomotives. The first batch of 20 locomotives entered service in 1984, followed by 80 in 1985, 100 in 1986, 110 in 1987, and 114 in 1988, with a total of 500 completed by the end of 1989. From the factory, these locomotives were painted dark red with a white stripe, while units operated by DB subsidiaries later received the brighter verkehrsrot livery.\nLocomotives built from 143 302 onwards featured slightly redesigned cabs, improving aerodynamics and reducing energy consumption by approximately 5%. From 1988, the batch known as Class 243.8 was equipped with multiple-unit train control, allowing two or more locomotives to operate together. By December 1990, the fleet had grown to 636 Class 243 locomotives, with 243 659 being the last to enter service on 2 January 1991.\nFollowing German reunification, freight traffic in the former East Germany declined sharply, and many locomotives were placed in preservation or storage. Some, such as 243 922, were hired to the Südostbahn in Switzerland, while others were reassigned for testing and passenger duties in West Germany.","brand":"Piko","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53168819994961,"sku":"PK21793","price":278.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0865\/4992\/2129\/files\/pk21793_1.jpg?v=1772225299","url":"https:\/\/www.jadlamracingmodels.com\/products\/piko-21793-expert-wfl-br243-019-electric-locomotive-vi-ac-sound-ho-gauge","provider":"Jadlam Toys \u0026 Models","version":"1.0","type":"link"}