Roco 7300089 H0 - Diesel Locomotive 754 047 CD, Era VI

Model of the diesel locomotive 754 047 „Brejlovec” in the livery of the Czech Railways

A model of the diesel locomotive 754 047 of the Czech Railways (ČD) – a versatile diesel-electric locomotive known as the „Brejlovec” (because of its characteristic glare-free cabs). It is a special vehicle in the ČD fleet, reproduced in the variant with a belly stripe and a blue roof.

The finely detailed model has many separately fitted detail parts, and a set of nameplates is included.

Model specifications:

• Scale: H0 (1:87)
• Catalogue number: 7300089
• Manufacturer: Roco
• Vehicle: diesel locomotive 754 047 („Brejlovec”)
• Model length: 190 mm
• Era: VI
• Operator: Czech Railways (ČD)
• Power system: direct current DC (analogue version)
• Decoder socket: PluX22
• Lighting: 3 head / 2 tail lights (LED), direction-dependent
• Number of driven axles: 4; axles with traction tyres: 1; flywheel
• Features: variant with belly stripe and blue roof, many separately fitted detail parts, a set of nameplates included
• Minimum curve radius: 358 mm
• Coupler: NEM 362 standard with close-coupling kinematics
• Recommended age: 14 years and over

Note: controlling and powering the model.

The model is produced in the analogue DC version. An ordinary direct-current controller is enough to run it – no digital command station is required. The locomotive has a factory-fitted decoder socket (PluX22), which makes it possible to equip it with a decoder later and switch to digital DCC control. The model is not a starter set and does not include track or a controller.

Model railways – digital or analogue control?

A digital DCC system lets you control several locomotives independently on the same track at a constant rail voltage, whereas in an analogue system all vehicles on a given circuit respond simultaneously to changes in the supply voltage. The model described here is supplied in the analogue version (for direct current DC), with a decoder socket allowing later conversion to digital DCC control.

About the class 754 diesel locomotive (T478.4):

The locomotives nicknamed the „diving goggles” or „goggle snake” (Czech „Brejlovec”) – because of their characteristic glare-free cabs – were developed and built at the ČKD works in Prague. Class T478.4, a development of the earlier T478.3 type, was given a more powerful engine and electric train heating. The prototypes were built in 1975 and the series between 1978 and 1980; in 1988, with the introduction of the computer numbering system, the machines received the new class designation 754.

These are versatile diesel-electric locomotives with a Bo'Bo' wheel arrangement. They are still in service today with the Czech (ČD) and Slovak (ZSSK) operators. The reproduced example – 754 047 – is a special vehicle in the fleet of the Czech Railways (ČD), in its current operating condition.

Original technical data (class 754 / T478.4 diesel locomotive):

• Type: versatile diesel-electric locomotive, Bo'Bo' wheel arrangement
• Manufacturer: ČKD, Prague
• Origin: development of the T478.3 type, with a more powerful engine and electric train heating
• Construction: prototypes 1975; series 1978–1980; class 754 designation from 1988
• Nickname: „Brejlovec” („diving goggles” / „goggle snake”)
• Operator: Czech Railways (ČD)

About the manufacturer – Roco:

Roco is an Austrian model railway manufacturer that has been operating since 1960, founded in Salzburg and today based in Bergheim near Salzburg as part of the Modelleisenbahn GmbH group (alongside the Fleischmann brand). It released its first locomotives in 1976 and earned its reputation early on through precision and fidelity to the prototype. The brand introduced a number of innovations to the industry, among them unshortened, true-to-length coaches, track with a lower rail profile, and snag-free close couplers. Roco's contemporary H0 models stand out for their rich detail, while the digital range is rounded out by the Z21 control system. Roco models are valued by modellers and collectors throughout Europe.