The Micro-Metakit T18 is a masterpiece of craftsmanship, meticulously handmade from brass. This model is renowned for its extraordinary attention to detail and technical sophistication. It features a fully detailed cab interior, motorized tender fans, and intricate boiler components, all crafted to the highest standards. Equipped with Micro-Metakit's premium brushless, ironless bell-shaped motor, the T18 offers smooth, reliable operation and impressive pulling power, making it as functional as it is visually stunning.
Micro-Metakit models are celebrated for their precision and quality, often considered among the finest brass locomotives ever produced. Each piece is hand-assembled with painstaking accuracy, resulting in a model that not only captures the essence of the prototype but also performs exceptionally well on the tracks. The T18 exemplifies this dedication to excellence, with its flawless running characteristics and superior detailing, from the rivets on the boiler to the fan mechanisms in the tender.
With limited production runs, these models are highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts alike. The Micro-Metakit T18 is not just a model but a work of art, combining historical authenticity with cutting-edge technology, ensuring it stands out in any collection.
Prototype Information:
The introduction of superheated steam was the final major advancement in Stephenson-designed locomotives. This innovation provided the Deutsche Reichsbahn-Gesellschaft (DRG) with ample reason to explore a completely new concept: the development of a turbine locomotive. In 1924, the DRG awarded a contract to Maffei, and by 1926, the T18 1002 was completed as a purely steam-powered turbine locomotive.
The boiler of the T18 1002 was shorter than that of conventional locomotives, owing to the higher operating pressure of 22 bar (319 psi) and reduced steam consumption. Forward and reverse turbines were housed together, and three wheelsets were powered by side rods linked to a jackshaft mounted between the truck wheelsets. In a break from standard design dimensions, the trailing truck wheelset featured Bavarian-style wheels with a diameter of only 1,206 mm (47½"), measured from the tread.
The locomotive's condensers, mounted beneath the running boards on both sides, were connected in parallel, while the cooling process was handled by a separate cooling tender. After construction, the T18 1002 underwent extensive testing at the Grunewald testing facility, both on the main line and on a test bed. During these tests, it was discovered that excessive power loss was occurring due to the empty reverse turbine rotating alongside the main running gear. To address this issue, a new main turbine and an additional gearbox for switching the reverse turbine were installed.
Once these deficiencies were corrected, the T18 1002 was assigned to the Munich main station. It operated in express and fast train service on the Munich–Würzburg and Munich–Lindau routes, remaining in service until 1943
