PIKO 51616 H0 - 3E/1 electric locomotive, PMP-PW, ep.IV

PIKO 51616 H0 – Electric Locomotive 3E/1, PMP-PW, Era IV

This analog model of the 3E/1 electric locomotive in the industrial livery of PMP-PW (Enterprise for Backfilling Materials of the Coal Industry) is part of the PIKO Expert series in H0 scale. The model is factory-painted and ready to run, and features a PluX22 decoder interface for easy conversion to digital operation. It captures the rugged appearance and simplified industrial design of this iconic Polish locomotive type.

• The model is factory-painted and ready to run
• LED lighting: white and red directional lights depending on travel direction
• Model prepared for PluX22 decoder installation
• Livery represents a locomotive used by PMP-PW – a Polish industrial operator in the coal sector
• Accurate body shape and details of the 3E/1 industrial variant
• Model length: 193 mm
• Scale: H0 (1:87)
• Manufacturer: PIKO
• Era: IV

Analog or digital control – what to choose?

The main advantage of digital systems is the ability to control multiple locomotives independently on the same track. In analog mode, all locomotives respond together to voltage changes, which makes separate operation impossible without complex wiring and isolated track sections.

Digital systems maintain constant voltage in the rails and control each locomotive individually using commands from a control unit, enabling smooth and flexible operation even on compact layouts.

About the 3E/1 locomotive:

The 3E/1 is an industrial version of the ET21 electric locomotive, the first heavy electric freight locomotive produced in Poland after World War II. Manufactured by PAFAWAG in Wrocław from the late 1950s through the 1970s, this version was specially adapted for industrial use in mining and metallurgy.

The 3E/1 featured a simplified design without some of the onboard systems used in PKP versions, and it was optimized for heavy shunting work in difficult environments. Locomotives of this type were used by PMP-PW to transport gravel, coal, and other materials on industrial railways serving mines and processing plants.

Though less known than their mainline counterparts, 3E/1 locomotives were indispensable to the logistics of Poland’s heavy industry for decades. Today, several preserved units can be found in railway museums and private collections.

About the manufacturer – PIKO:

PIKO is a well-known German manufacturer of model trains, founded in 1949. The company offers a wide range of products in all popular scales, including H0, TT, N, and G. The Expert series is designed for advanced hobbyists looking for high realism, technical sophistication, and reliable performance at an excellent price point.