""Die Bubikopf" (The Bob) - Br.64 2-6-2T

[Horsetan]

"The Bob". Quite why this locomotive class was named after the classic ladies' short hairstyle is unknown.

However, the Br.64 was a popular subject for Fleischmann to produce in HO as far back as the late 1970s and it remained in their catalogue with very little interruption, with some improvement over the years, until Fleischmann ceased all manufacturing in HO in favour of "N".

This one arrived from eBay about a week ago and for 29 quid I can't complain. Whoever owned it previously knew what they were doing: some fine detailing had already begun, including etched valve gear (which looks like a Weinert product), and turning down the coarse NEM profile wheels to something nearer RP25-88. It's also been renumbered as one of the preserved examples "064 419-0"

I haven't yet opened it up, but it looks as though the model has had a conversion from the original Fleischmann Ringfield/disc motor to something else. I'm hoping it might be a Faulhaber coreless motor in there.

It looks ripe for even more detailing as Weinert Modellbau produces quite a lot of exquisite (and expensive) detail castings for the Br.64, so we'll see what the budget can support!