Modellbahn Union Klv 12 Spur H0

The prototype:

From 1953, the DB procured various types of handcars for rail service purposes, including the Klv 11 and Klv 12 types, of which around 800 were made by various suppliers by 1963.

Klv 11 and Klv 12 mainly differ in the number of doors. The class 11 had 4 doors, the Modellbahn Union example Klv 12 is the "Coupe" with 2 doors. The vehicles were built by the companies Beilhack (the Modellbahn Union prototype), Draisinenbau Hamburg Alpers, FKF, Industriewerke Karlsruhe IWK and Sollinger Hütte SH.

The purpose-built vehicles, which were kept simple in construction and maintenance, were inexpensive to produce. An air-cooled Volkswagen industrial engine with a displacement of 1.2 liters and 28 hp served as the drive. This also results in the typical "beetle" sound of the vehicle, in which the engine keeps idling when the Klv has reached its speed and then rolls. The power was transmitted via a clutch and a manual gearbox from the automotive industry, there were four forward and one reverse gear. The maximum speed was 70 km/h, the total weight was around 2,250 kg. Up to 6 people had space in the vehicle.

For turning, the original vehicles were equipped with a jack that allowed one person to lift and turn the vehicle.

The Klv 12 were used both by the DB and later by private railways, mines and industrial companies. Handcars were also sold in other European countries. The last vehicles were decommissioned at DB in 1997.

Due to the robust construction and easy maintenance, numerous vehicles are still used in museums today.

Copyright all prototype pictures: Brekina

The model:

As with the MAN railcar in N gauge, Modellbahn Union has adopted a design from Brekina and revised it in detail. The result is impressive, especially in terms of variety, but also in terms of driving characteristics. A few details catch the eye with the variants:

True to the original with the DB logo on the front and extra inscriptions: The T12001 model for the Höllentalbahn, approved on the famous steep section from Hirschprung to Hinterzarten.

Prototypical from the Ruhr area: The Ewald colliery also had a Klv 12 in use.

The differences are in the details: the Klv 12 of the Märkische Kleinbahn is realized by Modellbahn Union in the early version. Recognizable by other basic colors and the wing logo on the front.

One Klv 12 ended up in Italy. The Klv 12 is used by the Ferrovie del Gargano as AC.01.

Since, as already mentioned, the design was taken over by Brekina, not all details could be implemented to match every prototype. Therefore, any flashing lights or roof racks are missing. Even the addition of lighting would have exceeded the budget by far.

A lot has changed under the hood of the Klv 12, the previous "compulsory decoder" could be replaced by a 6-pin interface, so that new possibilities are open for digitization. The old drive was also upgraded with a new 5V motor and better power consumption. Traction tires had to be dispensed with in favor of power consumption. However, since the vehicle is not intended for pulling wagons, this is not really noticeable.

The view from below shows the drive on the rear axle. The power consumption occurs over all axes.

The digital interface is designed with capacitors for smooth operation even on dirty tracks. Nevertheless, the following applies, of course, especially to small and light vehicles like this one: keep the rails clean!

Interface plugs and capacitors are removed for digital operation. Modellbahn Union recommends using the Doehler & Hass decoder DH10-4 to have a small "buffer" if required. Decoders from other manufacturers may not be suitable due to their high power consumption.

When digitizing, it is also important to always lower the CV for the maximum speed, since the motor, as already mentioned, is designed for a voltage of 5V. In analog operation, this is regulated by the components on the interface plug, so that the model drives slowly, like the prototype.

The technicians from Modellbahn Union actually managed to create a sound version, so that you can enjoy the typical VW engine noise. Initially irritating in operation: the sound does not always follow (as is the case with other drives), but accelerates and then falls to a relatively quiet idle. A Zimo decoder is used for the sound, which is of course already set appropriately in all parameters ex works when the sound is ordered.

Summary:

With the model of the Klv 12 in H0, Modellbahn Union is reviving a long-missing model from the Brekina range. The new variants ensure that there is something for almost every model railway theme. Due to its small size, the model can be used practically anywhere and find its place. The driving characteristics are very good for such a small vehicle, the new sound is a further enrichment.