Moin, So DTG are having a hard time getting their hands on one of DB's Shunter locos, they say. Well so far so bad, but what about this one then: The MaK G1000/1200 series - comprising the G1006, the G1000BB, G1206 - and many more. The difference between all the versions is primarily a different engine and gearing, resulting in different top speeds and tractive powers. While DB themselves don't operate any locomotives, countless other carriers do - including MRCE with whom DTG does have a licensing agreement as well Compared to DB's BR294 as the most similar engine in their fleet, the G1000 is a more modern design, dating from the 80's and 90's, again, depending on what particular version it is. Coming from the same manufacturer, it's probably appropriate to call it the 294's successor. A bit (OK, a lot) more boxy, and also different insofar that the cab is entered not by a side door with a ladder, but via steps on all four corners of the loco and then gangways along the engine compartments - much like on many American diesels. It is certainly a lesser known engine in Germany, but nonetheless one that shuffles around Germany's railways in the hundreds, and one that does the job. Just like the 294, it is capable of both light and heavy shunting as well as short to medium haul freight trains. Those it can move even better thanks to higher top speeds of some versions. The cabs of all the different versions meanwhile, differ quite substantially:
i think they said they had difficulties of recording diesel shunters and finding someone to drive them and one that was running in service. i do like the look of the shunter above though^^^^^^
Not sure if that was before or after they got the MRCE license, before which they only had DB to work with as far as we are aware. That would actually be a really nice loco pack for RSN and/or MSB and/or RRO: MRCE's G1206, Class 66, maybe a new freight car, and just to be nice, a repaint for the BR182 which doesn't bring new services but can be used on all three routes via substitution.
That looks smart in black. I know they said there were quite a few differences between UK and German 66s, but there must be a lot you could carry over to make modelling it a simpler process than a build from scratch.
A German switcher is needed to handle the non-electrified sections of the routes. I like the 66s as well. Maybe we could see the 66 and G1000 as a two pack like DTG did with the BR freight pack for the Pennines route.