Roco 7300094 H0 - Diesel Locomotive 234 399-4, DB AG, Era V-VI

Model of the diesel locomotive 234 399 „Ludmilla” in DR livery with the DB AG logo

A model of the diesel locomotive 234 399 (class 132, popularly the „Ludmilla”) in the livery of the German Railways (DR) with the Deutsche Bahn AG (DB AG) logo. It is a powerful, six-axle locomotive of Soviet origin, reproduced in the condition of 1994–1998.

It is a reliable model intended for hauling prototypically long trains.

Model specifications:

• Scale: H0 (1:87)
• Catalogue number: 7300094
• Manufacturer: Roco
• Vehicle: diesel locomotive 234 399 (class 132 / „Ludmilla”)
• Model length: 237 mm
• Era: IV–VI
• Operator: Deutsche Bahn AG (DB AG); DR livery with DB AG logo (condition of 1994–1998)
• Power system: direct current DC (analogue version)
• Decoder socket: PluX22
• Lighting: 3 head / 2 tail lights (LED), direction-dependent
• Number of driven axles: 6; axles with traction tyres: 2; flywheel
• Features: powerful, reliable model for hauling prototypically long trains
• Minimum curve radius: 358 mm
• Coupler: NEM 362 standard (without 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 234 diesel locomotive (132 / „Ludmilla”):

The locomotives of class 132 (as well as 232, 233, 234 and 241) were imported from 1970 from the locomotive works in Luhansk (Voroshilovgrad) in the Soviet Union and put into service with the German Railways (DR) in the GDR. These powerful, six-axle machines with a Co'Co' wheel arrangement earned the popular nickname „Ludmilla”.

After German reunification, the decline in freight traffic meant that many of the locomotives became surplus. The machines of class 132 (designated class 232 from 1 January 1992) were gradually rebuilt into the new class 234, fitting 140 km/h bogies taken from withdrawn class 130 locomotives. From 1994 they worked in inter-regional (IR) and express (IC) services. The reproduced example – 234 399 in DR livery with the DB AG logo – represents the condition of 1994–1998.

Original technical data (class 234 / 132 diesel locomotive):

• Type: diesel-electric locomotive, Co'Co' wheel arrangement
• Manufacturer: locomotive works in Luhansk (Voroshilovgrad), USSR (imported from 1970)
• Rebuild: from class 232 (132) into 234, with 140 km/h bogies from class 130 locomotives
• Use: from 1994 inter-regional (IR) and express (IC) services
• Nickname: „Ludmilla”
• Operator: Deutsche Bahn AG (DB AG); DR livery with DB AG logo

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.