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The Piko 52371 reproduces the SNCF DE18 diesel locomotive in HO scale, Epoch VI. It is one of Piko's 2025 new releases and comes factory-equipped with a PIKO Sound PluX22 decoder under NEM 658 interface, a large speaker and a full set of digital and sound functions ready to run straight out of the box, with no additional work required.
Traction and digital equipment
The motor drives all four axles via two cardan shafts, with two traction tyres contributing to smooth, stable haulage. The LED lighting switches automatically between white and red depending on the direction of travel, and also includes cab lighting. The NEM 362 coupler with short coupling kinematics makes it easy to integrate into consists on layouts with radii from 358 mm, keeping it compatible with medium-sized track plans without the need for wide curves.
Sound and digital functions
The PluX22 decoder handles both driving functions and the diesel engine sound, along with other programmable functions. The large speaker generous for a locomotive of this size delivers a sound presence that makes itself heard on a running layout. At 196 mm in length, the DE18 has a contained visual footprint that makes it versatile within a modern SNCF consist.
On the layout and in a consist
In an Epoch VI consist, the DE18 works well as a lead locomotive on trains of moderate length. Its compact size does not diminish the overall impact, and the reversible lighting gives the train a clear visual read both on the move and at the station. For anyone building a modern SNCF motive power fleet in HO, this Piko reference offers a complete starting point with no need to add a decoder or speaker separately.