Piko 51832 H0 - BR E52 Electric Locomotive, DB, Era III, DCC with sound

Digital Class E 52 electric locomotive model in Deutsche Bundesbahn livery

A digital model of the Class E 52, originally designated as the Bavarian EP 5 — one of the most distinctive designs of the interwar German railway. The version reproduced by PIKO shows a Deutsche Bundesbahn machine with black running gear in an era III setting, and comes with a factory-fitted sound decoder.

The model reproduces the distinctive symmetrical outline with its continuous long frame and box body with bevelled corners. The version with black running gear matches an era III setting. Four traction tyres give pulling power in keeping with the weight of the prototype, and digitally switchable cab and engine room lighting brings out the interior of the model. The factory-fitted PIKO sound decoder works with a speaker of the largest possible diaphragm.

Model specifications:

• Scale: H0 (1:87)
• Catalogue number: 51832
• Manufacturer: PIKO
• Model length: 198 mm
• Era: III
• Power supply: DC
• Decoder socket: NEM 658 – PluX22
• Decoder: PIKO sound decoder, factory-fitted
• Traction tyres: 4
• Coupling: NEM 362 coupler pocket with close coupling kinematics
• Minimum radius: 358 mm
• Lighting: lights changing with the direction of travel: white and red
• Digitally switchable cab lighting
• Digitally switchable engine room lighting
• The model is painted and ready to run
• Recommended age: 14 years and over

Please note: a DCC command station and powered track are required to operate this model.

The model is not a starter set and does not include track or a controller. To use all the digital functions — sound and independent lighting control — a DCC command station is required (for example the PIKO SmartControl or any other DCC-compatible controller) connected to powered track. The model can also be run on a conventional analogue DC layout, but only provided that the decoder has the alternative power source function enabled (analogue operation — controlled in the DCC standard by bit 2 of register CV29). It is active by default, but if it has previously been switched off, applying DC to the track may damage the decoder. In analogue mode only basic running is available — without sound or digital functions.

Model railways – digital or analogue control?

The digital DCC control system allows several locomotives to run independently on the same track. Each vehicle receives individual commands while the rail voltage stays constant, which makes realistic operation possible and allows the lights and sound effects of every locomotive to be controlled separately. In an analogue system all vehicles on a given circuit are controlled at once by varying the supply voltage. PIKO model 51832 has a factory-fitted sound decoder and is intended above all for digital operation.

About the E 52 (Bavarian EP 5):

The EP 5 was built for the Bavarian division of the Deutsche Reichsbahn as a heavy express locomotive for the newly electrified south German network. The mechanical part came from the Maffei works in Munich, the electrical equipment from the WASSEG consortium of AEG and Siemens-Schuckertwerke. Thirty-five machines were built in 1924–1925, designated EP 5 at first, E 52 from 1927 and Class 152 by the Deutsche Bundesbahn from 1968.

The design was a breakthrough: instead of one large motor with rod drive, four smaller traction motors were used, giving a steadier ride and better use of power. The price was weight — at 140 t the E 52 was the heaviest electric locomotive ever to run in Germany. The distinctive symmetrical outline with two machine rooms, a continuous long frame and a box body with bevelled corners is among the most recognisable in German railway history.

The machines stayed loyal to Bavaria throughout their career, allocated exclusively to Bavarian depots, hauling express and increasingly freight trains. Scrapping began during the Second World War; 29 machines remained with DB afterwards. The last examples were concentrated at Kaiserslautern on freight work. The final locomotive of the class was struck off the roster in February 1973. One example survives, on display at the DB Museum in Nuremberg.

Prototype specifications (E 52 / Bavarian EP 5):

• Manufacturer: Maffei (mechanical), WASSEG — AEG and Siemens-Schuckertwerke (electrical)
• Built: 1924–1925
• Output: 35 units
• Wheel arrangement: 2'BB2'
• Length: 17,210 mm
• Weight: 140 t — the heaviest electric locomotive ever to run in Germany
• Hourly rating: 2,200 kW; continuous rating: 1,660 kW
• Supply voltage: 15 kV 16⅔ Hz
• Top speed: 90 km/h
• Role: express trains, later freight
• Withdrawn: February 1973

About the manufacturer – PIKO:

PIKO is a German manufacturer of model railways with more than seventy years of tradition, founded in 1949 in Sonneberg. Today it is one of the most popular model railway brands in Europe and a leading producer of Polish prototype models, including locomotives and coaches in PKP, PKP Intercity and PKP Cargo colours. The range covers H0, TT, N and G scales, from individual wagons to comprehensive starter sets and digital control systems. The PIKO Expert range combines a high level of detail with modern digital technology — with factory-fitted DCC and sound decoders in selected models. PIKO products are valued by modellers and collectors worldwide.