The new May roadmap suggests, that we will get the BR 218 "only" in the current color scheme of traffic red. Don't get me wrong, at least we're finally getting a 218, and such a good looking one at that! But I can see quite some use for the 218 (with a couple of n-Wagen including the fitting cab car) on the "vintage" routes of Linke Rheinstrecke and Niddertalbahn, where the traffic red version simply wouldn't fit. For Niddertalbahn, the services which don't begin/end at Bad Vilbel but instead travel to/from Frankfurt could be replaced by 218 plus 4 n-Wagen. For Linke Rheinstrecke, the services currently run by BR 110 between Koblenz and Boppard usually continued towards Emmelshausen, which is not electrified. So the 110 makes no sense. A 218 with 3 n-Wagen would be much more appropriate. Also on Linke Rheinstrecke, all the Services between Mainz and Saarbrücken which are currently being serviced by 110 and 628 should be using 218 instead, if I recall correctly. The services between Mainz and Bad Kreuznach should remain in the hands of the 628. So this is my request: Could a version of the 218 in period-appropriate style be made? Perhaps in the same way as has been done with the 628, as two separate entities? Or like the 363 or 155, for example? One suitable option would be the blue/beige one, this color scheme has been in widespread use until the late 90's: Or perhaps in orient red, to fit in nicely with the 110 of that era: I know this would mean a lot of extra work for just a couple of services on only two routes, but it would be the literal cherry atop an already delicious cake And perhaps it could be of use for future releases... who knows?
Blue and beige was such a good livery, I never thought it was as good as v rot but still a hellfire livery
Yes, but in addition to this livery, EBuLa screen should also be removed. I don't remember what safety systems were installed on board, at the time.
Honestly, the 218 looks good in almost any livery I've seen yet! Its shape and proportions lend themselves really well to various paint schemes. The designers really did a good job back in the early 60's. In my opinion, the design itself holds up pretty well too. It may look a bit dated by now, but not outdated. Yes, the EBuLa screen would have to go, and an older radio like the one in the mint green 628 would be more fitting. I guess that was one of the (or the main?) reasons why the 628 variants have been split into two separate entities for TSW, since it's more than just a change of color. Same as why Niddertalbahn doesn't use the usual BR 363 but the 365 instead. For use in the 90's, the safety systems could remain the same as the modern one I'd say.
In regards to EBuLa, if you just wanted to match LFR’s level of detail, you wouldn’t even need to remove it since all of LFR’s rolling stock has EBuLas they definitely should not have. I’d really appreciate a backdated 218 for LFR. Don’t get me wrong, I do think it was the right choice to use the 110 for diesel services to give the route the traffic it needs, but as someone somewhat local to the route, it first confused me to heck to see electric traction on Mainz - Saarbrücken runs. The 218 would also help break up the monotony created by only having the 110 and 103 (+628).
You're right, I totally forgot the 110 has it's EBuLa screen on LFR as well... but a period accurate 218 would be neat regardless
