ESU 31412 HO scale DB class V60 #362 873 Era VI Digital Sound Smoke Diesel Locomotive

Starting in 1956 the DB (Deutsche Bundesbahn) commenced the procurement of the three-axle shunting locomotive class V60 in order to modernize shunting operations. It was decided to employ a drive system with coupling rods and a jack shaft. Its maximum speed of 60 km/h in mainline gear matched the then common speed of long distance freight trains. The coal-fired oven (so called Dofa heater) only served for keeping the engine of a parked V60 at a suitable temperature. As from the 1990-ies the DB replaced these heaters with externally powered electric heaters. The DB actually differentiated the serial locomotives between light weight and heavy types. Externally one could not detect any difference. The heavy type with 54 t is constructed with a stronger frame compared to the lighter version with 48 t. With the advent of the computer suitable numbering system in 1968, the DB assigned the lighter version as class 260 and the heavy type as class 261. In 1987 the engine was reclassified as a minor locomotive (Kleinlokomotive - literally: small locomotive or locomotors). Class 260 became class 360 and the 261s became 361s. Its categorisation as a Kleinlok saved staff costs, because the railway no longer had to employ "engine drivers", but only "Kleinlok operators", i.e.: specially trained shunting personnel. The locomotives equipped with automatic coupler (AK) and radio control were reclassified as class 364 (light weight version) and class 365 (heavy type).  Class 362 and 363 were only designated in 1992 and denominate locomotives equipped with the Caterpillar engine 3412 DI-TA, which was installed  instead of the original Maybach GTO 6 / GTO 6A.