Piko 50710 H0 - BR 62 Steam Locomotive, DR, Era IV

Pre-order item! Your order will be fulfilled once the manufacturer releases the model. Estimated availability: late September 2026. The delivery date is approximate and subject to change for reasons beyond our control.

Model of the Class 62 steam tank locomotive in Deutsche Reichsbahn livery, H0 scale

The Class 62 was conceived as a fast passenger tank locomotive within the Deutsche Reichsbahn standard locomotive programme. This PIKO H0 model presents the machine in Deutsche Reichsbahn colours of Era IV, in other words during the final period of the class in East Germany. The long boiler, tall driving wheels and leading and trailing bogies are reproduced in the proportions of the prototype, and the 197 mm length over buffers corresponds to a real locomotive of more than seventeen metres.

The model carries fine detail on the frames and fittings, crisp printed lettering and a faithfully rendered valve gear. Lighting is provided by LEDs with a directional white and red light change. Two traction tyres support the drive. The locomotive is prepared for upgrading: the NEM 658 PluX22 interface takes a digital decoder, after which cab lighting and firebox illumination can be switched digitally. The manufacturer also offers a smoke generator for retrofitting.

Model specifications:

• scale: H0 (1:87)
• item number: PIKO 50710
• manufacturer: PIKO
• length over buffers: 197 mm
• era: IV, operator Deutsche Reichsbahn
• power supply: DC
• decoder interface: NEM 658 PluX22 (decoder sold separately)
• matching PIKO sound decoder for retrofitting: no. 56630
• smoke generator for retrofitting: no. 56163
• traction tyres: 2
• coupling: NEM coupler pocket
• minimum radius: 422 mm
• lighting: directional white / red light change
• digital functions with a PluX22 decoder fitted: switchable cab lighting and firebox illumination
• ready to run, factory painted and lettered
• age recommendation: 14 years and up

Please note: a power pack and a powered track are required to operate this model.

This model is not a starter set and includes neither track nor a controller. As supplied it runs on a conventional DC analogue layout, for which a standard variable power pack is sufficient. The NEM 658 PluX22 interface allows a DCC decoder to be fitted at any time - the manufacturer lists PIKO sound decoder no. 56630 as the matching item. With a decoder installed, digital functions become available, including independent control of the cab lighting and firebox illumination.

Model railways - digital or analogue control?

With analogue control, speed and direction depend directly on the voltage applied to the track, so all vehicles in the same section start and stop together. A DCC digital system keeps the track permanently powered while the command station sends addressed instructions to the decoders, so each vehicle is driven individually and its additional functions can be switched. This model leaves the factory in the DC analogue version and, thanks to its PluX22 interface, can be moved into digital operation whenever the owner chooses.

About the Class 62 locomotive:

The Class 62 grew out of the work of the Reichsbahn central design office on a family of standard locomotives for different types of service. The starting point was the never-built Class 20; from it a fast two-cylinder superheated tank locomotive with a 2'C2' wheel arrangement was developed. The order went to Henschel, which delivered fifteen machines in 1928.

At first the Deutsche Reichsbahn accepted only 62 001 and 62 002, putting them to work in the Ruhr area. The remaining thirteen entered service only in 1932. During the 1930s the class worked from depots including Düsseldorf, Sassnitz and Meiningen, hauling passenger trains on routes where fast running in both directions, without turning the locomotive, was valuable.

After the Second World War the fleet was split between the two German states: eight locomotives went to the Deutsche Reichsbahn in the east, seven to the Deutsche Bundesbahn in the west. The western machines were withdrawn by the mid 1950s, while the eastern ones lasted much longer - the last, 62 007, was struck off in 1972. Locomotive 62 015 survives; it hauled special trains until 1997 and is now part of a museum collection.

Prototype specifications (Class 62):

• builder: Henschel
• built: 1928, fifteen locomotives delivered (62 001-62 015)
• wheel arrangement: 2'C2' h2t
• length over buffers: 17,140 mm
• service weight: 123.6 t
• adhesive weight: 60.8 t
• driving wheel diameter: 1750 mm
• carrying wheel diameter: 850 mm
• boiler pressure: 14 bar
• indicated power: 1236 kW (1680 hp)
• engine: two-cylinder simple expansion, superheated, cylinders 600 x 660 mm
• water capacity: 14 m3, coal capacity: 4.3 t
• top speed: 100 km/h
• duties: passenger trains, running in both directions without turning

About the manufacturer - PIKO:

PIKO has been in continuous operation since 1949 and traces its roots to Sonneberg in Thuringia; more than seventy years on, it is one of the most recognisable model railway brands in Europe. The catalogue spans H0, TT, N and G scales, covering both indoor layouts and garden railways. The PIKO Expert line combines a high level of detail with modern digital technology, prepared decoder interfaces and extensive lighting functions. PIKO is also a leading producer of Polish prototype models, including PKP, PKP Intercity and PKP Cargo vehicles.