Märklin 39498 - Steam locomotive - BR 498.1 ZSR (Slovakia) - Blue - MFX+ & Sound

Product Description

Märklin 39498 - Steam Locomotive - BR 498.1 ZSR (Slovakia) - Blue - MFX+ & Sound

Märklin description:

• Completely new construction.
• Open-frame metal construction.
• Many mounted details.
• Standard smoke unit with speed-dependent dynamic smoke output.
• Cab lighting digitally switchable.
• With Playworld decoder mfx+ and extensive light and sound functions.
• Buffer height on locomotive and tender according to NEM.

Model: With digital decoder mfx+ and extensive light and sound functions. Controlled high-efficiency propulsion with flywheel in the boiler. 4 axles powered. Traction tires. Locomotive and tender mostly made of metal. Standard built-in smoke unit with speed-dependent dynamic smoke output, digitally switchable. Triple headlights on the locomotive that change over with the direction of travel, and dual headlights on the tender in conventional operation, digitally switchable. Upper headlight individually switchable. Illuminated locomotive number plate integrated into the upper headlight and functional. Cab lighting digitally switchable. Lighting with maintenance-free, warm white LED lights. Adjustable close coupling mechanism between locomotive and tender. At the tender, a speed-activated close coupler with NEM shaft. Buffer height on locomotive and tender according to NEM. Brake hoses, stylized screw coupling, and an air reservoir for mounting on the tender are included. Minimum passable curve radius R2 = 437.5 mm. Length over buffers approx. 29.3 cm.

About the locomotive - for enthusiasts

39498 – ČSD steam locomotive series 498.1 "Albatros jednička“ (= first/main albatross) Ultra-modern construction principles defined the building and simultaneously the pinnacle of the last Czechoslovak express train steam locomotives. Between December 1954 and June 1955, ŠKODA delivered 15 machines of series 498.1 as a further development of the 498.0. These 3-cylinder locomotives had the same drive and an axle load of 18.6 t and stood out due to their welded high-efficiency boiler with combustion chamber and steel firebox with high power and convincing efficiency. They could pull a 600-ton train at 116 km/h on a flat section, and at 30 km/h on a 14‰ incline. Modern standard equipment included mechanical grate feeding (stoker), Kylchap double exhaust nozzle, a multi-valve regulator of Škoda type, a water purifier located in the front dome, and SKF coupling and connecting rod bearings. Witte smoke deflectors completed this slender appearance. The fully enclosed cab contributed to the comfort of the locomotive crew, especially in winter. For the hilly routes of the ČSD, the defined top speed of 120 km/h was sufficient, but much higher speeds could be achieved. This was proven by the 498 106 on August 27, 1964, during test runs on the Velim test track with a top speed of 162 km/h. Initially, the locomotives were stationed in the depots of Prague, Přerov, and Žiliny, but from 1960, the Bratislava depot became the home station for all machines. This remained so until 1970, when electrification created new areas of application. Thus, the machines of series 498.1 now also operated at the depots of Nové Zámky and Plzeň. The 498 106 was even overhauled in 1978 to replace the faulty diesel locomotives of series 753 between Brno and Přerov. It was active along with the 498 101 and 108 in Plzeň until 1980, when it was retired. In Slovakia, the only Albatross has been preserved: the operational museum locomotive 498.104. At the end of 2004, however, the machine, originally stationed in Bratislava, had to be taken out of service due to boiler damage. Years of overhaul followed with indispensable help from the Albatros club in Bratislava. Since the beginning of 2006, the Albatros club has leased the locomotive. This club is responsible for the maintenance of the 498.104, as well as for its operation and the recruitment of locomotive personnel. The overhaul was completed in November 2009, and since then, this powerful express train locomotive shines again in its original colors. Boiler, cylinders, cab, tender, and smoke deflectors in steel blue, drive and buffer beam in red, and a white, continuous stripe from the running board via the cab to the tender. The roof of the cabs is also white.