New for 2021: For the first time in the history of model railways, a locomotive will appear on the prototype of the large railroad, bearing the logos of the two model railroad companies Märklin and PIKO. The specialty of the locomotive 218 497-6 is a noticeable special paint, which is the result of a creative competition among the employees of DB Fahrzeuginstandhaltung GmbH (FZI). It symbolizes the history of the Cottbus location, which ranges from the repair of steam locomotives to the maintenance of ICEs FZI Cottbus will continue to be home to the locomotive and it will be available to customers as a replacement locomotive. The two model railway manufacturers Märklin and PIKO act as advertising partners for this project. The company logos of both manufacturers are alternately affixed to the front of the locomotive, both on the original and on the model. The PIKO logo adorns the black half, that of Märklin the light gray. A train driver has found space in driver's cab 2. The light of the model changes with the direction of travel in white / white. This is the first PIKO BR 218 with factory sound, and the first model to carry the new PIKO TrainSound® onboard
